Medals & Awards,Captain Royce Williams

Nation's Highest Military Honor

Medal of Honor

View at CMOHS

Awarded February 24, 2026 during the State of the Union address and presented by First Lady Melania Trump. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth inducted Captain Williams into the Hall of Heroes. Originally awarded the Silver Star in 1953, his decoration was upgraded to the Navy Cross in December 2022 before being elevated to the Medal of Honor.

Official Citation “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Elmer Royce Williams, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism by intercepting a superior force of attacking enemy MiG-15 fighters while protecting Task Force 77. Lieutenant Williams demonstrated outstanding courage by placing himself and his accompanying planes between the Task Force and the attacking group of enemy fighters. His actions resulted in the destruction of three enemy aircraft and severe damage to a fourth, and undoubtedly saved the lives of hundreds of Task Force 77 sailors.”

Navy Cross

Awarded December 2022. Upgraded from the Silver Star by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who stated: “Having reviewed the findings… I have determined this case to be special and extraordinary.” Awarded for the November 18, 1952 engagement while serving with VF-781 aboard USS Oriskany.

Distinguished Flying Cross ×2

One award for a Vietnam War strike on April 17, 1966, as Commander, Carrier Air Wing 11 (CAW-11) aboard USS Kitty Hawk. Planned and led an aerial strike against a North Vietnamese target despite intense anti-aircraft fire.

Legion of Merit

Awarded with Combat “V” for valor in combat operations.

Bronze Star Medal

Awarded for meritorious service in a combat zone.

Meritorious Service Medal ×2

Air Medal ×11

Awarded for meritorious achievement in aerial flight during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Navy Commendation Medal

Awarded with Combat “V” for valor in combat operations.

Korean Presidential Unit Citation

Order of Military Merit

Taeguk Cordon Medal, Republic of Korea.

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross

Unit Citation with Palm.

United Nations Service Medal

Korea.

Medals & Awards