Bong HistoricalVeteransCenter FOCUS ON WOMEN IN SERVICE

By Molly Ovenden

Wisconsin native Richard Ira Bong made history during World War II. Flying more than 200 missions over the Southwest Pacific islands in a P-38 Lightning, Bong broke records for shooting down more than 40 enemy airplanes, more than any other American pilot had done before, thus awarding him the title “Ace of Aces.”

He left a legacy of service to his country.

After his death, a memorial honored him in Poplar, Wisconsin, later developing into larger memorials for all who served in WWII. Eventually in 2002, the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center officially opened in its current location, off of Highway 2 in Superior, Wisconsin.

The Bong Historical Center’s focus began with Major Bong’s story and World War II historical preservation, later expanding to modern day. Providing educational resources and historical collections for the wider Twin Ports-area community, the museum continues to develop. In March 2021, the museum opened its most recent exhibit about conflicts in Vietnam and Korea.

“Our mission is to honor all veterans, and that includes women,” said museum curator Briana Fiandt. “I think women have a fascinating history.”

Women have always been involved in war, on the home front, in factories or the medical fields, but it was not until recently that women could officially be service people in the United States.

Touring the museum, visitors can watch the evolution of service women take place.

As the country’s largest labor reserve, women were actively recruited during WWII by both government and industry. By 1945, more than 200,000 women were in active duty through the Army WACS, Navy WAVES, Women Marines, Coast Guard’s SPARS, WASPS and a small number of women pilots in the Army Air Force.

One recruitment poster said, “Women, there’s work to be done and a war to be won … now! See your US employment service war manpower commission.”

Women often took the place of their husbands working on the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range RailRoad, in the Iron Range mines and in factories. Lady welders even had a pinup picture of local war hero Dick Bong, which he autographed for them to put in the Globe Shipyard.

There is also an exhibition area for junior museum curators (children from local schools) to share their research on local service people. Featured women include Kristi Konietzko, based at the 148th Fighter Wing, and Amy McMillan, a recruiter for the Air Force.

Video interviews and exhibits share women’s stories of serving on the home front and specific veterans, sharing their experience.

Margaret McGillis, in the “Women and Families on the Homefront” video, said that she and other women worked together for the cause and for the war.

Alice Dorn enlisted in the Air Force in 1950, volunteering for overseas duty, and was stationed at an airbase outside of Seoul, Korea, part of a small nursing team.

Molly Lucas proudly served during the Korean War era in the Women’s Army Corps, despite some people telling her there was no reason for women to be in service.

Jill Fortin, Gulf War veteran in the Army, said people have called her a “hero” and “a life saver.”

Barbara McDaniel served in the Navy during the Cold War. She recalled that her dog gave her the biggest welcome home, besides her mom and dad.

Oral histories rank highly in importance for the museum’s mission to preserve and educate about the history of service men and women. Fiandt is passionate about collecting veterans’ stories. Most veterans she speaks to say their story is boring or that they didn’t contribute anything of importance. Fiandt loves encouraging them to record an oral history anyway, hoping veterans will see their time in service as far from boring and a valuable contribution to their country.

“A lot of the veterans think that we want only combat stories, which is absolutely not true,” Fiandt said.

The museum hopes to continue collecting oral histories from every serviceperson they can, and they hope to add more stories, particularly from service people of color and women. If you, or someone you know from the Northland area has served in the military, they may contact the Bong museum and tell their stories.

“I do really want people to know how much we value women’s service and how much we would want to hear their stories,” Fiandt said.

Among the curator’s favorites is the Annette Mariucchi feature in the Vietnam exhibit. She lives on the Iron Range. A nurse in Vietnam, she loaned the museum many artifacts for the new exhibit. Often the veteran’s family hears these service experience stories for the first time in the exhibits.

“I love being able to make that connection with the family,” Fiandt said.

Liz Strohfus is another one of Fiandt’s favorite women featured in the Bong museum. Strohfus, from southern Minnesota, was a WWII WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots).

“I wish I could have met her because apparently she was a little spitfire,” Fiandt said.

For her whole life, Strohfus remained involved in flying and speaking events. The Bong Center has Strohfus’ oral history in the collection.

“I just think she’s an amazing person,” Fiandt said.

Tour the Richard I. Bong Historical Center to see all of the women featured from World War II to present day. General admission self-guided tours are $10 for adults, $5 for veterans, free for active military. Be sure to check out the gift shop. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. D