Wayne Fullam served in the U.S. Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Temporary Duty Station 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force during the Vietnam War. He died on October 7, 1967 when his F-105 fighter-bomber was downed. Colonel Fullam had led 19 other F-10s on a mission to destroy targets at an airfield and the Kep railroad yard in Bac Giang Province. His plane encountered anti-aircraft fire on the approach. After hitting his target, he attempted to reach the Gulf of Tonkin, but the jet was too severely damaged. Fullam ejected and he parachuted into trees. He was initially declared missing on October 7, 1967, and then declared dead on December 6, 1973. His remains were returned to US soil on September 24, 1987. He was awarded the Silver Star for Valor, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation medal, and several other medals.
