Captain Royce Williams wearing the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor Recipient

Captain Elmer
Royce Williams

United States Navy (Ret.) • Born April 4, 1925 • Wilmot, South Dakota

On November 18, 1952, Lieutenant Royce Williams single-handedly engaged seven Soviet MiG-15 fighters in a 35-minute aerial battle over Korea,the longest dogfight in United States Navy history. He shot down four enemy aircraft, returned his badly damaged F9F Panther to the USS Oriskany with 263 bullet holes, and was sworn to secrecy for over fifty years.

Read His Story Medals & Awards
100+ Years Old
37 Years of Service
7 MiGs Engaged
4 Shot Down
263 Bullet Holes
35+ Minutes Alone
20+ Medals & Awards
November 18, 1952

The Battle

A lone F9F Panther against seven Soviet MiG-15s. Lieutenant Williams engaged the enemy fighters for 35 minutes over the Yellow Sea,outnumbered, alone, and determined. Discover the full account of the longest dogfight in Navy history.
1943 – 1980

His Service

From World War II to Vietnam, Captain Williams devoted nearly four decades to the United States Navy. Explore the career of a naval aviator whose courage and skill defined a generation of American airpower.
Nation's Highest Honor

Medals & Awards

Awarded the Medal of Honor in 2026,more than seventy years after his extraordinary feat of valor. Review the full list of decorations honoring a lifetime of distinguished service to the United States of America.

Home of

American Legion Captain E. Royce Williams Post 416

Encinitas, California

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