Legionnaire Royce Williams receives Medal of Honor

[Ban Hammer 15,050]

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.”
 

more at https://www.legion.org/information-center/news/honor/2026/february/legionnaire-royce-williams-receives-medal-of-honor
 

[TBoneTX 49,324]

Can be merged into the SOTU thread, if desired.

[Pooky 4,018]

4 hours ago, Ban Hammer said:

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.”
 

more at https://www.legion.org/information-center/news/honor/2026/february/legionnaire-royce-williams-receives-medal-of-honor
 

Quite possibly where Top Gun: Maverick got “It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot” quote from, as well as Maverick’s father’s fight over the wrong line, from the original movie.

 

Williams was flying a Grumman F-9F-5 Panther, a straight-winged carrier-based fighter. The Russians were flying swept-wing MiG 15s. They had about a 100mph speed advantage, could climb faster and their guns carried a heavier punch. And yet Lt. Williams, as he was then, in what ended up a 7 vs 1 dogfight, left 1 Russian plane flyable after the dogfight. There is no way that ever should have happened.

 

It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot.

 

Legend. 🫡