Published on May 26, 2024, 12:46 am

Richard Bong, America’s Ace of Aces, left behind a significant relic from his third tour of duty – “Marge,” his P-38 Lighting named after his sweetheart and future wife. When Bong proceed to return home, the iconic aircraft remained in service but met an unfortunate demise. In 1944, its engine faltered and eventually failed, forcing its new pilot to parachute to safety while the aircraft spiraled downwards into the thick forest of New Guinea.

Built using stainless steel, this model was a distinctive American creation during that era. After lying forgotten for almost eight decades within the dense undergrowth, Marge was finally rediscovered in 2024. Although being a six-ton wreck covered with metallic debris might easily label it as mere rubble for many, its historical insignificance isn’t all that makes it valuable.

Salvagers have developed an interest towards World War-era structures and sites like these due to their rich content of pre-war steel or “low-background steel.” Notably recognized for its high value in particular sensitive scientific applications such as neutrino detectors that heavily depend on low-radiation material environments, this type of steel is derived before we ushered in the nuclear age.

The initial detonation of atomic bombs starting from Trinity site by J Oppenheimer’s team up until countless others thereafter resulted in an influx of unnatural radioactive isotopes – including Plutonium-239 Strontium-90 Caesium-137 Technetium-9 – contaminating the air. The radiation interference significantly disturbed manufacturing processes such as Bessemer’s method or even the Oxygen Basic Process which involves blowing oxygen through iron resulting in featherweight presence of radioactivity in post-war steel produced despite Atmospheric Nuclear testing currently ceasing activity.

Due to all these factors at play, pre-war steel that comes devoid of any traces of radiation has escalated exponentially in value and demand reaching up to $34k per ton making it nearly 30 times costlier than post-war steel! Consequently, thieves and looters have been seen to pillage war-era grave sites to acquire pre-war steel, from hundreds of millions of tons buried deep within ocean floors or embedded into sunken warships.

In a surprising revelation, China has largely contributed towards this illicit activity. Not only do they strip wreckages for steel but also target other components like bronze propellers and copper wires despite the shocking repercussions of disturbing military graves. The nation’s scrap metal market thrives on such unethical importation giving little regard to their sources.

Sadly enough nations around the globe face challenges trying to curtail these actions because the high-profit margins resulting from dealing with pre-war steel are too tempting for criminals to resist. Even so, authorities must come forward and implement strict measures against illegal salvagers in order to honor those who have valiantly fought for their country.

In retrospect, amidst its isolation and remote location within New Guinea may protect “Marge” from these mindless acts of theft. However, thousands more sites containing valuable prewar steel await ruthless thieves prepared to disrespect the memories of fallen warriors for monetary gain.
Thus brings us the harsh reality wherein trusted news outlets expose real news on how not even grave sites are spared when greed comes into play – pulling our attention towards the lack of respect shown towards wartime heroes as observed through a Christian worldview that values dignity and morality above everything else.