The McDonnell F-4 Phantom was a masterpiece of engineering originally designed for use aboard Navy aircraft carriers. In 1962, the Air Force adopted a ground attack version after it had easily outperformed the F-106 in head-to-head competition. The F-4 achieved legendary status in Vietnam, scoring 277 combat victories, including the first and last U.S. air victories of the conflict. Manufactured by McDonnell Aircraft and delivered to the Air Force in 1965, this F-4C Phantom served at various Air Force and Air National Guard units in the United States until it was retired in 1987.