John D. Branon/Legends

This article details a subject that falls under the Legends brand.The subject of this article appeared in the Rebellion era.

## Chronological and political information

### Affiliation(s)

* Alliance to Restore the Republic
	+ Red Squadron

> "*I'm hit!*"
> ― Branon's last words during the Battle of Yavin.[source]
>
>

**John D. Branon**, sometimes known simply as **John "D"**, was a young Human male pilot who served the Alliance to Restore the Republic during the Galactic Civil War. In 0 BBY, he participated in the Battle of Yavin under the callsign Red Four.

Flying a T-65 X-wing starfighter, Branon was shot down by TIE/LN starfighters during the assault on the first Death Star, among the first pilots who were killed. He, Puck Naeco and Theron Nett were the only Rebels to die at the hands of TIE pilots during the battle, as the rest of the X- and Y-wings that fell during the battle were destroyed by Darth Vader or gunned down by turbolaser fire.

## Behind the scenes

John D. was portrayed by Jack Klaff in *A New Hope*. He was presumably named after John Dykstra.

Though the film credits list Jack Klaff as the actor portraying John D, the Customizable Card Game names Jack Klaff's character Lt. Naytaan. The CCG creators made an error in naming him Naytaan. According to Leland Chee, Naytaan and John D. are two different pilots.

According to Klaff, he was recorded with additional dialogue which was subsequently cut—noting that he had his first TIE fighter kill right before being shot down.

John D. has been known as "Fake Wedge" among much of the Star Wars community, because of the belief that Jack Klaff played the character of Wedge in the Rebel briefing room scene (a character played by Denis Lawson in every other scene). Pablo Hidalgo has since revealed that "Fake Wedge" was not actually portrayed by Klaff, but rather by actor Colin Higgins.

## Appearances

* *Star Wars: Empire at War* (First identified as John D. *Branon*)
* *Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope* novel (First appearance)
* *Star Wars*: Episode IV *A New Hope*
* *Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope* junior novel
* *Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope* PhotoComic (Fighter only)
* *Star Wars 6: Is This the Final Chapter?*

## Sources

* *Star Wars Word Puzzles*
* *A Guide to the Star Wars Universe* (John D)
* *Star Wars: Behind the Magic* (as Red Four)
* File:SWInsider.png "Rebel Pilot Reunion"—*Star Wars Insider* 32
* File:GalaxyCollector.png "Around the Galaxy: Dark Horse Unmasks The Phantom Menace"—*Star Wars Galaxy Collector* 6
* *Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption: Prima Official Game Guide*
* File:SWInsider.png "Q&A"—*Star Wars Insider* 95
* File:HasbroInverted.png *Star Wars: The Legacy Collection* (Pack: Rebel Pilot Legacy III)
* *The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia*
* *The Essential Guide to Warfare*
* *The Official Star Wars Fact File* (2013) Part 1 (YAV1-2, The Battle of Yavin)

## Notes and references

1. ↑ *The Essential Guide to Warfare*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 *Star Wars*: Episode IV *A New Hope*
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia*
4. ↑ File:SWInsider.png "Pirates of the Boards"—*Star Wars Insider* 95
5. ↑ Leland Chee on the StarWars.com Message Boards
6. ↑ File:SWInsider.png "Rebel Pilot Reunion"—*Star Wars Insider* 32
7. ↑ File:StarWarsDotComBlogsLogoStacked.png "The Hunt for the Fake Wedge" – *Fragments from the Mind's Eye*, Pablo Hidalgo's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)

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