Story by Robert Clinton
Out of what almost sounds like a fairy tale, comes the saga of F4-C-20-MC- 63-7623.
You know the old scenario. Man meets F-4. Man falls for F-4. Man looses F-4, man is reunited with F-4. Anyway, that’s the way this story goes.
It was as a young First Lieutenant in 1966 that Steven Wayne first met “623”, it was their first time at war, and along with then Major John R.
“Bob” Push Pardo they became a team. A very deadly team too, I might add.
On 20 May 1967, a North Vietnamese MiG 17 fell victim to “623’s” missiles, and the skills of Pardo and Wayne. It was considered one of the
longest air-to-air engagements of the Vietnam War. Wayne would later add another MiG 17 to his list for a total of two.
After flying their 100 missions over the north both Pardo and Wayne said good-bye to “623” and Ubon. All three would lead long illustrious
careers, with LTC Pardo retiring in 1974, COL Wayne in 1991 and “623” in 1988.
But alas, “623” was soon forgotten, and put on static display at Chanute Air Force Base, Ill.
Then in 1991, with the closure of Chaunte looming on the horizon, an interested group, including Wayne and his father, from the American Legion
Post 313 in Fairmont, Indiana decided that “623” belonged in Fairmont. After all her last duty station was the 181st TFG at Hulman Field, Indiana,
and Col. Wayne’s home town was Fairmont. The quest for “623” became known as ‘Operation Starbright.”
Now came the hurdles. First of all “623’s” legal ownership was quite cloudy and secondly, the town of Rantoul, Ill wanted to keep “623” for their
own air park. Third, was the fact the Chanute is a long way from Fairmont, if you happen to be a Phantom that can’t fly.
With many long hours of negotiations going clear up to the White House, it was finally agreed upon to find another F-4 as ransom for “623”. 29 Sep
1992 brought the great news that “Operation Starbright” would become a reality.
With a great effort “623” was brought to Fairmont where she was shined, painted and given the face lift she needed badly. She was then mounted
on a pedestal, with once again her nose pointed to the sky, proudly showing that familiar “FG” on her tail.
During a formal dedication ceremony on 2 OCT 1993, “623” was finally reunited with her famous aircrew of 28 years ago. Her sorties may be
over, but she nobly stands as a constant reminder of Phantom history, and those brave airman that flew her through the trouble skies of Vietnam so
many years ago.
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