Royce Williams
Williams in 1973
Birth name	Elmer Royce Williams
Nickname	Royce
Born	(1925-04-04) 4 April 1925 (age 100) Wilmot, South Dakota, U.S.
Branch	United States Navy
Service years	1943–1980
Rank	Captain
Commands	USS Eldorado, CVW-11, VF-33[1]
Known for	Downing four Soviet MiG-15s in one engagement during the Korean War
Conflicts	World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Medal of Honor Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Legion of Merit with "V" Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Medal (11) South Korean Order of Military Merit (Taeguk)
Alma mater	University of Minnesota

Elmer Royce Williams^[2] (born 4 April 1925) is a retired United States Navy (USN) naval aviator. He is known for his solo dogfight with seven Soviet pilots during the Korean War in 1952, which military experts have called "one of the greatest feats in aviation history".^[3] Originally awarded the Silver Star in 1953 for his conduct during the dogfight, in 2023 he was given an upgrade to the Navy Cross, the Navy's second highest decoration.

On February 24, 2026; Captain Williams received the/ Medal of Honor.^[4] Captain Williams is the last living Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War.^{[note 1]}

Royce Williams was born on 4 April 1925, and grew up in Wilmot, South Dakota and Clinton, Minnesota. ^[5] He earned the rank of Eagle Scout. ^[6] He and his brother aspired to become pilots; both enlisted during World War II, although Royce Williams' flight training was deferred while he attended college in Minnesota. He qualified as a naval aviator at Pensacola in August 1945.^[7]

He learned to fly the F9F-5 Panther jet and was assigned to active duty in the Korean War, during which he flew 70 missions.^[3]

In 1952, then-Lieutenant Williams was serving with VF-781 aboard the USS Oriskany as part of Task Force 77. On 18 November 1952, on his second mission of the day, while on combat air patrol near Hoeryong, North Korea, his group of four pilots spotted seven MiG-15s overhead. Two of the other three pilots had to return to the carrier and the MiGs began attacking Williams, putting him into a 35-minute dogfight with seven MiG-15s.^[8] It is believed to be the longest dogfight in U.S. Navy history.^[3] Commanders on his carrier ordered him away, but Williams had to tell them that he was already fighting for his life.^[9] He shot down four of the MiGs and likely hit two others.^[10] By the end of the 35-minute period, only one of the MiGs was still in the air with him, and he managed to escape back to his carrier, out of ammunition and having lost his hydraulics. He was uninjured, but 263 holes were counted in his Panther jet. Some accounts state that he never saw the plane again as it was pushed into the sea.^[8]

The story of his battle with the Soviet MiGs led to Williams being debriefed at the time by admirals, the Secretary of Defense, and a few weeks later by newly inaugurated President Dwight D. Eisenhower.^[9] These authorities decided to cover up the specifics of the battle, because the Soviet Union was not officially a combatant in the Korean War and it was feared that publicity about the air battle would draw the Soviets further into the conflict. The dogfight was scrubbed from U.S. Navy and National Security Agency records, and Williams was sworn to secrecy about the incident—so much so that he never told anyone about it, not even his wife nor his pilot brother, until the Korean War records were declassified in 2002.^[3] The record of the incident in Navy records said only that he shot down one enemy (not listed as "Soviet")^[9] plane and damaged another, for which he was awarded the Silver Star in 1953.^[11]

However, the dogfight was recorded in Soviet archives which were released after the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. The Soviet records say that only one of four MiGs returned to base. A 2014 Russian book, Red Devils over the Yalu: A Chronicle of Soviet Aerial Operations in the Korean War 1950–53, describes the battle and mentions Williams. The four MiGs were flown by Soviet Naval Aviation pilots, with Captain Beliakov and Lieutenants Pakhomkin and Vandaev being shot down, and Lieutenant Pushkarev returning to base.^[12]

In his book Holding the Line about Task Force 77, Thomas McKelvey Cleaver described the fight, saying "On November 18, 1952, Royce Williams became the top-scoring carrier-based naval aviator and the top-scoring naval aviator in a Navy jet of the 'forgotten war'." He added, "In the fight of his life, Royce Williams had accomplished what no other American fighter pilot would ever accomplish: shoot down four MiG-15s in one fight."^[7]

Between 1965 and 1967, he flew 110 missions in A-4 Skyhawks and F-4 Phantoms from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War.^[13] Williams was the commanding officer of the command ship USS Eldorado between September 1969 and January 1971.^[2] He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1980. In retirement, he lives in Escondido, California.^[10]

Williams maintained his secrecy about his aerial feat for decades. After the information was declassified, he shared his story with close friends and spoke about it at small gatherings. His story first received national attention when the American Legion Magazine published a cover story in November 2017.

In the story, Williams detailed the aerial battle, his vow of secrecy and his other military service. Williams, a longtime member of The American Legion, also received support from the national organization. In August 2017, the Legion’s National Executive Committee approved Resolution 70, which calls for the Legion to petition Congress and the Department of Defense to award the Medal of Honor to recognize Williams.

In 2014, retired Rear Admiral Doniphan Shelton became aware of Williams' feat, and he began an unsuccessful years-long campaign for the Navy or Department of Defense to recommend him for the Medal of Honor for his exploit. Shelton said that Williams' heroism was "unmatched either in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or since then".^[14] On 14 July 2022, a bipartisan group of five congressmen persuaded the House of Representatives to approve an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act which would waive the statute of limitations for a potential Medal of Honor for Williams. The amendment and bill were approved for the House version of the bill, which were then forwarded to the United States Senate, which removed the provision in conference.^[15][10][16]

In December 2022 Williams was awarded the Navy Cross as an upgrade of the Silver Star the Navy awarded him in 1953.^[17] The award was approved by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who said, "Having reviewed the findings of now numerous investigations related to the case of Capt. Royce Williams, I have determined this case to be special and extraordinary. His actions clearly distinguished himself during a high-risk mission and deserve proper recognition."^[18]

On 4 February 2026, Williams' congressman Darrell Issa announced confirmation from President Donald Trump that Williams would be receiving the Medal of Honor.^[19] The award was received at the 2026 State of the Union Address on 24 February 2026, presented by First Lady Melania Trump.^[4] Following the awarding, Williams is the last living Korean War Medal of Honor recipient.^[20]

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 18 November 1952 while leading a division of three jet fighters attached to Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE (VF-781) and embarked on the USS ORISKANY. While flying a combat patrol mission over the northeastern coastal waters of enemy-held North Korea, Lieutenant Williams demonstrated extraordinary heroism by intercepting a superior force of attacking enemy MiG-15 fighters in order to protect the ships of Task Force 77. After thwarting the enemy’s initial attack, he maneuvered his aircraft to make two firing passes on one MiG, which then spiraled into the sea. He inflicted heavy damage to a second MiG-15, which started smoking badly and retired from the fight. When his own aircraft was severely damaged by a direct hit from one of the remaining enemy MiG-15s, Lieutenant WIlliams evaded further enemy attack while continuing to direct the dogfight. He eventually found cover in a cloud bank, broke off the engagement, and miraculously landed his nearly uncontrollable aircraft on the USS ORISKANY. His exceptional airmanship, coupled with his complete disregard for his own personal safety, resulted in the destruction of three enemy MiG-15s and severe damage to a fourth, and undoubtedly saved the lives of hundreds of Task Force 77 sailors. By his undaunted courage, bold initiative, and total devotion to duty, Lieutenant Williams reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.^[21]

His medals include the Medal of Honor, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.^[5][13]

Foreign awards

In 2020, a 20-minute documentary, Actions Speak Louder Than Medals – the Royce Williams Story, directed by John Mollison, was screened at the GI Film Festival, San Diego.^[22] Captain Royce Williams dictated his life story to author W. Craig Reed for publishing in the book The 7 Secrets of Neuron Leadership, the only book in print with Royce’s full biographical life story. Reed lives near Royce and spent many nights on his balcony listening to his incredible “sea stories.” Royce notes that President Eisenhower convinced him to switch from bourbon to scotch, however, Reed introduced Royce to Monkey Shoulder scotch, which is now the only drink he prefers.^[23]

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients