The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was flown by Vietnam Veteran Lt. Col. William “Bill” Pachura. Pachura flew many different planes in his 26 year career in the Air Force, from 1953 to 1979. He clocked over 1000 hours in the F-105, with over 100 missions in Southeast Asia as a member of the 355th TFW (357 TFS) based at Takhli Royal Thai Air Base. During his career he earned 15 Air Medals, 1 Commendation Medal, and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses. The specific plane at Fairview Park is the exact plane Pachura was assigned to at Takhli.