Ruthless II was built by the Goodyear Corporation, and was accepted into U.S. Navy service in 1945. It first flew with Fighter Bomber Squadron 80 and was later assigned to Marine fighter squadrons. By late 1947, as more modern fighters began to appear, Ruthless II was flying with reserve outfits. By 1951 Ruthless II was used primarily in training and stricken from Navy records in 1957.
In 1969 Ruthless II flew with the Fuerza Area Salvador (the Air Force of El Salvador) in the “Soccer War” between El Salvador and Honduras, where it received battle damage, evidenced by a patched bullet hole in its right wing. In 1975, former Corsair pilot and aircraft collector Howard Pardue purchased the plane from the Salvadoran Air Force. Its restoration was complete in 1984, and it was purchased by Evergreen in May of 1990.
Today, the Corsair wears the paint scheme of Navy ace Oscar Chenowith Jr.’s aircraft. Chenowith was born in Salem, Oregon, grew up in McMinnville, and went to Oregon State University. During World War II, he flew with the famed “Jolly Rogers Squadron” (VF‐17) and is credited with 8.5 victories.