A Century of Courage: Veteran E. Royce Williams Receives the Congressional Medal of Honor
In a historic moment during the State of the Union address, President Trump bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor upon 100-year-old veteran E. Royce Williams. This unprecedented event recognizes Williams’ extraordinary valor during a top-secret mission in the Korean War. The award marks the first time a president has presented the nation’s highest military honour for combat valor during this annual address.
A Secret Battle in the Skies
Retired Navy Captain Williams participated in what is now recognized as the longest aerial engagement in U.S. Navy history. In 1952, he single-handedly fought off seven Soviet MiG fighter jets, successfully shooting down four of them during a harrowing 30-minute dogfight. The Soviet involvement was classified for decades, keeping the details of this incredible feat under wraps. This secrecy stemmed from the delicate balance of power during the Cold War, where direct confrontation between the US and Soviet forces was to be avoided at all costs.
Facing the Odds
While flying off the Korean Peninsula with a fellow American pilot, Williams and his wingman were ambushed by seven MiG-15s. As Williams recounted, “Since they started the fight, I shot back.” He initially struck one MiG, allowing his colleague to pursue it. Left to face the remaining six aircraft alone, Williams displayed remarkable skill and courage, downing three more Soviet planes while enduring a relentless barrage of enemy fire. Military accounts later described the encounter as one of the most intense aerial engagements of the entire war.
“In the moment I was a fighter pilot doing my job,” Williams explained in a 2022 interview with Task & Purpose. “I was only shooting what I had.”
A Perilous Return
Despite sustaining damage to his own aircraft, Williams skillfully guided it back to an American aircraft carrier, executing a high-speed landing. He considered ejecting, but the frigid waters below presented an even greater danger. For decades, Williams kept the details of this clash secret, even from his wife, following direct orders to maintain its confidentiality.
Recognition Decades Later
The truth about the encounter only emerged years after the fall of the Soviet Union, with the release of archival records and military histories. Williams was initially awarded the Navy Cross three years ago, the highest combat award for Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
A Long-Awaited Honour
California Representative Darell Issa championed Williams’ case for the Medal of Honor, successfully lobbying for a waiver of the five-year statute of limitations for awarding the decoration. Issa stated, “The heroism and valor he demonstrated for more than 35 harrowing minutes almost 70 years ago in the skies over the North Pacific and the coast of North Korea unquestionably saved the lives of his fellow pilots, shipmates, and crew.”
The timing of the award is particularly poignant, occurring on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that continues to shape global politics. This act of recognition underscores the enduring legacy of courage and sacrifice demonstrated by American service members.
Learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
