Trump to Give Medal of Honor to 100-year-old Pilot Who Shot Down 4 Soviet Jets

(DailyAnswer.org) – President Trump honors a 100-year-old naval hero who was forced to keep silent for over 50 years about his extraordinary Cold War dogfight against Soviet pilots, finally delivering the recognition denied by decades of government secrecy.

Story Highlights

Retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams shot down four Soviet MiG-15 jets single-handedly during a 35-minute 1952 Korean War dogfight
Williams was ordered to keep the combat secret for over 50 years, even from his own wife, to avoid Cold War escalation
President Trump personally called Williams to inform him of the Medal of Honor, overcoming a congressional time limit through special legislation
The heroic pilot’s aircraft sustained 263 bullet holes but he landed safely, saving his carrier crew from potential disaster

Seven Decades of Silence Finally Broken

Retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams received a phone call from President Trump confirming he will receive the Medal of Honor for a November 18, 1952 dogfight that remained classified for half a century. Williams, now 100 years old and living in Escondido, California, single-handedly engaged seven Soviet MiG-15 jets off the North Korean coast while flying an F9F-5 Panther from the USS Oriskany. The engagement lasted 35 minutes and resulted in four confirmed Soviet kills, making it the longest dogfight in U.S. military history. Williams kept this extraordinary combat secret even from his wife for decades, following direct orders to prevent Cold War escalation between the United States and Soviet Union.

Outgunned But Victorious Against Soviet Jets

Williams faced overwhelming odds during the engagement near Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province. The Soviet MiG-15 jets were superior to his F9F Panther in both speed and maneuverability, and his wingman had already departed, leaving him alone against seven enemy aircraft. Despite these disadvantages, Williams out-maneuvered the Soviet pilots through superior skill and determination. His aircraft absorbed catastrophic damage with 263 bullet holes and a 60-centimeter gash in the fuselage, yet he managed to land safely on the carrier deck. The initial award was merely a Silver Star, deliberately downplaying the encounter to maintain the fiction that U.S. and Soviet forces never directly engaged during the Korean War.

Congressional Action Overcomes Bureaucratic Barriers

Rep. Darrell Issa of California’s 48th District championed Williams’ cause for years, pushing through legislation that waived the Medal of Honor’s standard five-year post-action time limit. The Defense bill passed in December 2025 finally authorized eligibility for Williams, whose heroism had been verified through Soviet military records released after the USSR’s 1992 collapse. Issa called Williams an “American hero for all time” whose “indomitable courage” represented the most unique combat action of the Cold War. This legislative effort corrects a historical injustice where government secrecy prevented proper recognition of extraordinary valor. Williams had previously received a Navy Cross in 2023 after decades of advocacy from supporters who understood the magnitude of his achievement.

Trump Honors Military Heroes Personally

President Trump personally contacted Williams and the family of Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, who will also receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his 2013 sacrifice in Afghanistan. This personal touch demonstrates Trump’s commitment to honoring military heroes, contrasting with bureaucratic processes that often delay or deny recognition. The ceremony will place Williams among approximately 3,500 Americans who have received the nation’s highest military decoration since the Civil War. Williams himself remained characteristically modest, stating in past interviews that he was “only shooting what I had” and “just doing my job.” The recognition comes at a crucial time as Williams reaches his centennial year, ensuring he receives the honor while still alive to accept it.

Setting Precedent for Declassified Valor

Williams’ award establishes important precedent for reviewing Cold War actions that remained classified for national security reasons. The declassification of Soviet military archives provided independent verification of Williams’ claims, confirming details that U.S. forces had suppressed to avoid international incidents. This case encourages further examination of Cold War records where American servicemembers may have performed extraordinary acts that were deliberately minimized or hidden. The long-term implications extend beyond individual recognition, highlighting how government secrecy sometimes conflicts with the obligation to honor those who defend the nation. Military families and veteran advocates view this as vindication that truth and valor eventually overcome bureaucratic obstacles and politically motivated silence.