Navy Pilot who shot down four Soviet Mig -15 jets may get the Medal of Honor

[Talyn]

More than 70 years after he took part in the longest dogfight in Navy history, scoring four aerial victories, Royce Williams might finally get the Medal of Honor.

Royce Williams - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

On Nov. 18, 1952, then-Lieutenant Williams was serving with VF-781 aboard the USS Oriskany as part of Task Force 77.

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/korean-war/royce-williams.html

He was flying in his Grumman F9F-5 Panther for his second mission that day. with three other aviators over the Sea of Japan when seven Soviet Air Force fighter planes emerged. Two of the American planes had to return to their ships due to mechanical issues, leaving just Williams and his wingman in the skies as the Soviets closed in.

Over the course of 35 minutes, Williams banked and weaved his Panther, trying to avoid getting in the MiGs’ sights, downing four in his F9F Panther. Eventually, he ran out of ammunition and was forced to break off.

He flew back to the Navy task force and managed to land. After-action inspections found 263 bullet holes in his F9F-5 Panther.

The incident, an action kept secret for decades due to Cold War tensions, leading to his eventual recognition with the Navy Cross in 2023.

Royce Williams was awarded the Silver Star in 1953

https://www.cpf.navy.mil/newsroom/news/article/3275313/secnav-awards-navy-cross-to-retired-korean-war-veteran/

Navy pilot who took out 4 Soviet jets in covered-up mission may get Medal of Honor

In the Korean War, Royce Williams survived the Navy’s longest dogfight. Now he’s one step closer to the military’s highest honor.

taskandpurpose.com

Legendary Navy aviator Royce Williams, who shot down four Soviet MiG-15 fighters in 1952, is the inspiration for legislation that
would make it easier for troops and veterans to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Photos via the U.S. Naval Institute and the
Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

 

[Talyn]

More...

Legendary Navy pilot Royce Williams, who downed four Soviet MiG fighters during the Korean War, will finally receive the Medal of Honor, a White House official confirmed to Task & Purpose.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) first announced on Wednesday that President Donald Trump had let Williams know that he would receive the U.S. military’s highest award for valor. Issa authored legislation included in this fiscal year’s National Defense Authorization Act that authorized Trump to award the Medal of Honor to Williams.

Navy pilot to receive Medal of Honor nearly 75 years after shooting down 4 MiGs

For decades after the dogfight, the U.S. government kept secret the fact that Royce Williams had fought against Soviet aircraft.

taskandpurpose.com

 

[Talyn]

Awarded during State of the Union Address

Trump presents Medal of Honor to 100-year-old Korean War veteran during State of the Union

“Tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves,” Trump said, prompting a standing ovation.

www.militarytimes.com

 

[KillerFord1977]

Sworn to secrecy and classified to not upset the public and world that Soviets were flying Migs over N Korea, that man was an unknown Ace of Aces. I know 5 kills is an ace, but to pull off what he did in one fight for 35 minutes in incredible.
Robin Olds had some feats as did Cunningham in his F4, but it pales to what Royce Williams did that day.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

Multiple kills in one mission, and with just a wingman at that, then not to be able to talk about it....
Thats water over the dam fine job sir!

 

[Jester560]

now that's a man's man. I salute you, Sir!

 

[Talyn]

Sworn to secrecy and classified to not upset the public and world that Soviets were flying Migs over N Korea, that man was an unknown Ace of Aces. I know 5 kills is an ace, but to pull off what he did in one fight for 35 minutes in incredible.
Robin Olds had some feats as did Cunningham in his F4, but it pales to what Royce Williams did that day.

And more...

Minted as a WWII-era naval aviator at Pensacola in August 1945, he flew F9F-5 Panthers with the “Pacemakers” of VF-781 aboard the USS Oriskany off Korea, chalking up 70 combat sorties.

The most famous of these sorties, on 18 November 1952, included a 35-minute dogfight (not a misprint) that pitted Williams and his wingman against seven MiG-15s in what is believed to be the longest dogfight in U.S. Navy history. He splashed four of these MiGs and, when he landed, ground crews on Oriskany counted 263 holes in his Panther.

The nitty-gritty details of the dogfight were covered up for years so as not to offend the Reds, who may or may not have lost four Soviet Naval Aviation pilots that day (later confirmed to be Captains Belyakov and Vandalov, and Lieutenants Pakhomkin and Tarshinov).

Can you imagine? A half hour of turning and burning against smaller and more maneuverable swept-wing MiGs in an all-gun fight at speeds no WWII pilot had to contend with. To this day, no single U.S. Navy pilot has repeated his one-engagement MiG tally, especially in a gun fight.

Williams earned a Silver Star at the time (later upgraded to a Navy Cross) and, in retrospect, the MoH is certainly in order.

Bravo Zulu Capt. Williams!

Capt. Elmer Royce Williams (Ret.), the United States Navy’s most recent Medal of Honor recipient, will celebrate his 101st birthday in April. Capt. Williams was formally inducted into the Hal…

laststandonzombieisland.com

Bonus's

Panthers on the Prowl

It happened 75 years ago this month. The Navy’s new F9F Panther jet fighter saw its first combat in July 1950, flying strikes from USS Valley Forge (CV-45) with the “Screaming Eagles&#8…

laststandonzombieisland.com

Big O, and One Wild Airwing

70 years ago, the newly completed improved Essex-class attack carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) at Sasebo, Japan, on 27 October 1953. The Iowa class battlewagon USS Wisconsin (BB-64), fresh off her Kor…

laststandonzombieisland.com