The details of one of the most remarkable aerial feats in U.S. Navy history were kept secret for decades, but soon, the full extent of the valor displayed by Capt. Royce Williams, USN (Ret), a 100-year-old MOAA Life member, in the skies over Korea will be recognized.

Williams will receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during a 1952 dogfight that lasted more than a half-hour. He’s credited with shooting down four of the seven Soviet MiG-15s his F9F-5 Panther engaged during the encounter – only one of the Soviet jets returned from the mission.

“I feel very fortunate and very grateful,” Williams said in a statement to MOAA, “and I’m looking forward to a visit to the White House.”

Williams received a call last week from President Donald Trump informing him of the honor: The conversation lasted a little more than four minutes, said Steve Lewandowski, a former Navy lieutenant who serves as chairman of Operation Just Reward, the effort to secure Williams the Medal of Honor for his actions.

“The president was so gracious," Lewandowski said. “It was a real pleasant conversation.”

[RELATED: NDAA Clears Path for MOAA Member to Receive Medal of Honor]

A ‘Surreal’ Result

Details on a White House event, as well as celebrations in the San Diego area to honor the 100-year-old hero in and around his hometown, have yet to be finalized. Despite his age, there is no question about Williams’ attendance at the upcoming D.C. ceremony, Lewandowski said: “There is no alternative, he is absolutely committed to go to D.C. to receive the award. One hundred percent.”

The road to this momentous occasion has taken multiple paths through both legislative and military avenues. Williams initially received a Silver Star for his actions, which was upgraded to a Navy Cross in 2023. In recent years, Lewandowski and others have worked with Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) to secure language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizing the award of the medal; that effort was successful with the FY 2026 NDAA.

“My friend, constituent, and hero Royce Williams is 100 years young, a Top Gun pilot like no other, and an American hero for all time,” Issa said in a press release announcing Trump’s call to Williams. “His story is one for the ages, and it now has its rightful chapter as Royce receives the Medal of Honor.”

Lewandowski said he’s received “a deluge” of activity and support in recent days, and credited his fellow Operation Just Reward supporters for helping overcome legislative roadblocks and other hurdles.

“The whole thing has been surreal,” he added.

Living History

When Williams receives the honor, he will simultaneously be the newest Medal of Honor recipient and the oldest individual to ever wear the award.

World War II hero Lt. John Finn, USN, who received the honor for his actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, died in 2010 at age 100 – a few days younger than Williams is now.

Williams will stand as the only living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean War. This distinction follows the passing of Col. Ralph Puckett, USA, in 2024, who had received his medal in 2021 for his heroism as an Army Ranger company commander in 1950.

Williams described the 1952 dogfight in a 2022 interview with MOAA, including how he nursed his wounded Panther, with 263 bullet holes, back to USS Oriskany (CVA-34) after 35 minutes of aerial combat in near-blizzard conditions.

“I wouldn’t say I was worried, but I was aware of my situation,” Williams said. “… I knew the airplane was in bad shape. It took two hands on the stick to really control it and I knew there was an option to bail out. … But if I did, in those conditions, I would have survived for maybe less than 20 minutes.”

Williams would be instructed to keep details of his mission secret, and did so until documents regarding the battle were declassified about half a century later. He continued in service, flying combat missions in Vietnam before retiring in 1980.