US EditionKorean War Vet to Get Medal of Honor for Longest Dogfight in US Military History
Williams engaged seven Soviet MiG-15s alone for 35 minutes in 1952, shooting down four jets in the longest U.S. military dogfight, now honored after declassification and advocacy.
- The White House announced Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, that Royce Williams, Korean War fighter pilot and retired Navy captain, will receive the Medal of Honor.
- Legislation in the 2026 NDAA removed a five-year statute of limitations, enabling a re-review initiated last year with endorsements from two four-star admirals, Hays and Hayward, and declassified Soviet-era records revealed Williams' role.
- On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams fought seven Soviet MiG-15s for 35 minutes, downing four; his F9F-5 Panther sustained 263 bullet holes and a 37mm wing hit but landed safely on USS Oriskany.
- Williams, now 100, will be formally recognized and receive the Medal of Honor after earning the Navy Cross in 2023; the White House ceremony date remains unannounced.
- Nearly 75 years after his heroics, the Valor Has No Expiration Act and campaigns led by Steve Lewandowski cleared barriers for Williams' recognition.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Marine Corps Times
Korean War vet to get Medal of Honor for longest dogfight in US military history
Naval aviator Capt. Royce Williams, 100, is set to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his 1952 actions during the Korean War, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., announced on Wednesday.Issa has played a significant role in Williams’ recognition, introducing the “Valor Has No Expiration Act” in 2025 to extend and expand upon the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act. Introduced last June, the act was instrumental in highlighting Williams’ Korean War re…
Trump tells Escondido war hero he will receive Medal of Honor for courage during Korean War
President Donald Trump says he will bestow the Medal of Honor on Escondido war hero Royce Williams for the courage he displayed during the Korean War in taking on seven Soviet MiG fighter jets, shooting down four of them. Trump made the announcement Tuesday afternoon in a phone call to Williams, who will turn 101 this spring. “We’re going to put that very beautiful medal over his very strong neck,” Trump told Williams’ caregiver while he listene…
Escondido man, 100, to receive Medal of Honor for heroics kept secret for 50 years
Korean War fighter pilot and Escondido resident Royce Williams will be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, it was announced Wednesday. Williams, now 100 years old and a retired Navy captain, will be recognized for facing off against seven Soviet MiG fighter jets in 1952, shooting four of them down in the process and narrowly surviving amid extensive enemy gunfire to his jet. When the mission was over, they counted 263 bullet holes in his p…
Trump to award Medal of Honor to South Dakotan who downed Soviet pilots
A South Dakota native who shot down several Soviet fighter jets will be awarded the Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump.Royce Williams’ engagement with the Soviets occurred during the Korean War, and to keep tensions between the two superpowers from boiling over, the engagement was kept classified during the Cold War.Because it was classified, Williams didn’t receive the honor he would have had the dogfight occurred against open combatants,…
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