Poplar, Wisconsin and Madang, Papua New Guinea Become Sister Cities

The effort to recover the remains of Richard Bong's old P-38 Lightning have already fostered some changes between Pacific Wrecks, the team searching for it, and its resting place of Papua New Guinea.

Bong earned himself the Medal of Honor while flying 'Marge', his P-38, but the aircraft was lost when it was loaned out to another pilot in his unit, never to be seen again. Now, with the industry hungry for warbirds to resurrect, Pacific Wrecks has undergone the exhaustive process of cross referencing records and searching the jungles for P-38 wreckage, and they've been fortunate enough to find it. They have confirmed that the aircraft has been positively identified, ensuring the serials match Bong's original 'Marge'. While searching for the site, Pacific Wrecks has found itself deepening the connection between their home state of Wisconsin and their host nation.

The team announced that they'd signed a letter of intent with Poplar, Wisconsin and Madang, Papua New Guinea that will make the two locations 'sister cities', in line with a running State Department program to embolden citizen ambassadorship at home and abroad. 

"Pacific Wrecks was honored to be entrusted with this important mission and proudly announces the identification of 'Marge'. We're thrilled our shared World War II history bridged two towns on opposite sides of the world," said Justin Taylan, Director of Pacific Wrecks.

"We are so proud of the Pacific Wrecks team for their efforts in finding and identifying P-38 Marge. That this plane survives in the jungle brings new awareness of the amazing life and legacy of Richard Bong," said Bong Center Curator Briana Fiandt.

"I had the privilege of working with Sister Cities International as head of the Ohio-Ukraine Sister State effort," added Pacific Wrecks Program Manager Steve Kleiman. "We knew it would be a win for all stakeholders to parlay those insights and relationships to PNG. Pacific Wrecks is excited to partner with Poplar, Madang, Sister Cities International, the State Department and the White House toward making that a reality."

FMI: www.bongcenter.org