by Mike Matzinger
More than 70 years after he took part in the longest dogfight in Navy history, shooting down four enemy aircraft, alum Royce Williams (class of 1940 Eagle Scout) may finally receive the Medal of Honor.
On November 18, 1952, U.S. Navy Lt. Royce Williams was flying his second combat mission of the day over the Sea of Japan when he and three other pilots encountered seven Soviet MiG fighters. Mechanical problems forced two American planes to turn back, leaving Williams and his wingman to face the enemy. Williams quickly shot down one MiG, after which his wingman pursued it, leaving Williams alone against six more advanced Soviet jets.
Over the next 35 minutes, Williams relied on skill and maneuverability to evade attacks, shooting down two additional MiGs and heavily damaging a fourth before running out of ammunition. Despite sustaining 263 bullet holes in his aircraft, Williams managed to escape, return to his carrier task force, and land safely. His aircraft and life survived against overwhelming odds, marking one of the most extraordinary aerial combat engagements of the Korean War.
Recently, Congress released the text of the compromise National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy bill that sets spending plans and priorities. Included within it is Section 591, which would upgrade Williams’ Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor for his “acts of valor during the Korean War.”
https://taskandpurpose.com/history/medal-of-honor-royce-williams-ndaa/