Particle.news
Download on the App Store
11 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

White House Confirms Medal of Honor for Navy Pilot Royce Williams After 1952 Soviet Dogfight

Legislative fixes following declassification removed timing barriers, enabling long-delayed recognition of a once-secret act of valor.

Image
Royce 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 plane.
Image

Overview

  • The White House confirmed that retired Capt. E. Royce Williams, 100, will receive the nation's highest military honor.
  • President Trump personally called Williams this week to inform him of the decision, according to officials.
  • Congress cleared the way in the 2026 defense bill by waiving the five-year limit for certain classified-era actions, an effort championed by Rep. Darrell Issa.
  • The Navy credits Williams with downing four of seven Soviet MiG-15s during a roughly 35-minute engagement in 1952, described as the longest U.S. dogfight.
  • Williams’ earlier Silver Star was upgraded to the Navy Cross in 2023, a ceremony date for the Medal of Honor has not been set, and a posthumous award was also confirmed for Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis for a 2013 act in Afghanistan.