Retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams, who is 100, becomes the oldest recipient to ever wear the medal for his heroic aerial feat in 1952.
Retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams, 100, received the Medal of Honor on Feb. 24 for his heroic actions in 1952 when he shot down four Soviet MiGs during a 35-minute dogfight, an aerial feat never achieved previously or since. In November 2017, an American Legion Magazine story first reported Williams’ achievement after he was sworn to secrecy for more than a half century.
Williams, a member of American Legion Post 416 in Encinitas, Calif., is the oldest recipient to ever wear the medal. He was a special guest of President Trump during the State of the Union address, sitting next to first lady Melania Trump, who placed the medal around his neck.
“Heroic American aviator, Navy fighter pilot Royce Williams served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, flying more than 220 missions,” Trump said. “In 1952, Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime. His squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes. And despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned, Royce led the takedown of four enemy jets and almost destroyed the others. Vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane. His story was secret for over 50 years. He didn't even tell his wife. But tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves.”
Williams gave a thumbs up to the bipartisan standing ovation that lasted several minutes.
Trump also presented the Medal of Honor to Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, a helicopter pilot wounded in the raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump credited Slover for helping plan the mission and leading the first Chinook helicopter against Maduro’s heavily fortified compound.
The president called Williams Feb. 3 to tell him he would receive the medal. During the congratulatory phone call, Williams told Trump, “As you know I am more than 100 years old, all 100-plus is excited. The event that is being celebrated is long ago. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams and three other Navy pilots encountered seven Soviet MiGs. Williams, flying an F9F-5 Panther, shot down four MiG-15s in 35 minutes. When he somehow landed his plane back on the aircraft carrier, it was riddled with more than 260 perforations from the Soviet fighters. The plane was in such poor shape that the crew pushed it overboard to its final resting place.
Upon landing, his superior officers ordered Williams to keep the story a secret. Russia declassified the information a decade ago, paving the way for Williams to talk openly about it.
Because so much time had passed, it took an extraordinary effort to award the medal to Williams. Thanks to efforts by The American Legion, that hurdle was overcome.
The FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) cleared the way for the president to award the Medal of Honor to Williams. Specifically, language in the NDAA removed time limits that previously prevented Williams from receiving the honor.
Nearly a decade earlier, The American Legion passed a resolution, calling for Williams to receive the medal. Steve Lewandowski, also a member of Post 416, was among those leading the fight for Williams.
“Today is Royce’s day,” Lewandowski said. “It’s a day when he finally gets the recognition he deserves and should have received decades ago. It’s a day that also represents the impact of The American Legion and the dedicated team that worked to make this happen. Everyone with ‘Operation Just Reward’ put in hundreds of hours and endured countless setbacks over the years. It was our honor to support Royce. We can’t wait to see him in person wearing his medal.”
- Honor & Remembrance