Retired Navy Captain E. Royce Williams was involved in “the most unique U.S.-Soviet aerial combat dogfight in the history of the Cold War” while serving in the Korean War, according to California Rep. Darrell Issa

Retired U.S. Navy Captain E. Royce Williams.Credit : 

Office of the Secretary of the Navy

A U.S. war veteran is set to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor — nearly 74 years after he saved numerous lives with his “heroism and valor.”

On Feb. 4, President Donald Trump personally informed retired Navy Captain E. Royce Williams, 100, that he will be receiving the honor, per a news release issued by California Rep. Darrell Issa.

The Republican congressman, 72, previously announced on Dec. 8 that the newly finalized 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included his legislation to make Williams, who is from Escondido, Calif., eligible to receive the Medal of Honor.

Issa shared at the time that Williams was “a Top Gun pilot like no other and an American hero for all time.”

While serving in the Korean War on Nov. 18, 1952, Williams was piloting his F9F-5 Panther when he alone faced seven Soviet MiG-15s. He shot down four of the enemy planes and survived a 37-millimeter round to his fuselage, “where six inches to the right or left would have meant certain death.”

Despite his jet sustaining severe damage, Williams then made a “near-perfect” landing on the deck of his aircraft carrier, the USS Oriskany, which was stationed in the Sea of Japan.

“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 saved the lives of his fellow pilots, shipmates and crew, “Issa said in a statement. “His story is one for the ages, and it now has its rightful chapter as Royce receives the Medal of Honor.”

Retired U.S. Navy Captain E. Royce Williams.Office of the Secretary of the Navy

According to the release, Williams was instructed to keep the Nov. 18 incident a secret, and he did so for more than 50 years. Soviet records released in 1992 detailed how the Navy pilot shot down the four MiGs.

Williams was awarded a Silver Star, which was later elevated to the Navy Cross in 2023 after a campaign led by Issa and others.

“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,” Issa said in the release. “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.”

Williams spoke to local outlet KGTV about his reaction to the news of being awarded the Medal of Honor.

“Oh, I put it out of my mind because — can’t talk about it. I thought that was forever,” he said, referring to his brave moment in the skies remaining classified until 2002.

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Recalling that perilous day back in 1952, Williams told KGTV, “I could see clearly because of their contrails that there were seven, and as they flew over me, I could see that they were MiG-15s. A superior fighter airplane.”

He said the leader of his flight encountered a problem with the warning light on his fuel system, and he and the two other wingmen flew back — leaving Williams in a lone dogfight against the seven Soviet planes.

But Williams remembers feeling determined and confident despite facing seemingly impossible odds. “I was ready to fight in all aspects,” he said. “I had a chance to shoot. And I was pretty good at it.”

The dogfight lasted about 35 minutes, and Williams’ Panther had a staggering 263 bullet holes after he shot down four of the Soviet planes and managed to escape back to the carrier.

When Williams was finally able to tell his wife the harrowing story decades later, he said her reaction was simply, “Oh, Royce,” with a disapproving tone.

Williams told KGTV he received a phone call from Trump, 79, “and he said I’m getting the Medal of Honor.”

The date for Williams’ Medal of Honor ceremony has not yet been announced.