Congressman Darrell Issa announced that President Trump has informed retired Navy Captain E. Royce Williams that he will receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War.
Issa stated, “My friend, constituent, and hero Royce Williams is 100 years young, a Top Gun pilot like no other, and an American hero for all time. The heroism and valor he demonstrated for more than 35 harrowing minutes almost 70 years ago in the skies over the North Pacific and the coast of North Korea unquestionably saved the lives of his fellow pilots, shipmates, and crew. His story is one for the ages and it now has its rightful chapter as Royce receives the Medal of Honor.”
On November 18, 1952, Williams flew his F9F-5 Panther against seven Soviet MiG-15s by himself. He shot down four enemy aircraft and survived being hit by a 37-millimeter round. Despite severe damage to his plane, he managed to land safely on the USS Oriskany.
Williams was ordered to keep details of the event secret for over fifty years. In 1992, Soviet records confirmed his achievements in shooting down four MiGs. He originally received a Silver Star for this mission, which was upgraded to the Navy Cross in 2023 after advocacy efforts led by Issa and others.
Issa added, “What Royce did is — still to this day — the most unique U.S.-Soviet aerial combat dogfight in the history of the Cold War, and one in which Royce Williams demonstrated indomitable courage of the highest skill under incalculable duress. It is my honor to have fought all these years for Royce to gain a recognition that he has not sought, but so richly deserves.”
Darrell Issa has represented California’s 48th district in Congress since 2021 after succeeding Duncan D. Hunter (https://www.house.gov/representatives). Born in Cleveland in 1953, Issa currently resides in San Diego (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/I000056). He earned a BA from Siena Heights University in 1976.
Additional information about Capt. Williams’ service can be found through media coverage from Fox News, Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, and other outlets.
