Medal of Honor for Hero Pilot in Korean War Dogfight

In a long-awaited recognition of extraordinary heroism, retired Air Force Capt. E. Royce Williams will receive the Medal of Honor for his exemplary conduct during the Korean War, the White House announced this week. The ceremony, scheduled for later this month, will honor Williams for his role in what is believed to be the longest aerial dogfight in U.S. military history.

This development comes more than seventy years after the 1952 encounter, which was held under classified status for decades due to its proximity to Soviet military involvement. According to “Korean War vet to get Medal of Honor for longest dogfight in US military history,” published by Military Times, Williams engaged in a solo battle against seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets while piloting an F9F Panther. Over the course of an intense 35-minute engagement, Williams managed to evade damage to his aircraft while shooting down four enemy planes and damaging two others, an unprecedented feat in aerial combat.

At the time, the incident was kept quiet amid Cold War tensions, with official records omitting the extent of Soviet involvement in Korea. Williams’ actions were initially recognized with the Silver Star, but this award did not reflect the extraordinary scale and significance of the confrontation. Only after the declassification of the mission several decades later did the full scope of Williams’ bravery come to light.

Support for the Medal of Honor upgrade has grown in recent years, supported by military historians, lawmakers, and veterans groups advocating for proper acknowledgment of Williams’ service. The Pentagon’s formal recommendation followed a multi-year review process, which concluded that Williams’ valor met the highest criteria for the nation’s highest military decoration.

Williams, now in his 90s and residing in California, has remained humble about his combat record, frequently redirecting attention to his fallen comrades and the broader sacrifices made during the Korean conflict. The upcoming award not only honors a single act of gallantry but also underscores the importance of declassifying historical records so that acts of heroism are not lost to time.

The Medal of Honor ceremony will take place at the White House, with President expected to personally present the medal. For Williams and his supporters, it marks a culmination of decades of perseverance to bring one of America’s most remarkable, if long-overlooked, wartime accomplishments into public recognition.