Thanks to efforts by Rep. Darrell Issa, the 2026 national defense bill includes language allowing the President to award a Congressional Medal of Honor to retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, a resident of Escondido.
Williams, 100, shot down four MiG-15s piloted by Russians in a half-hour battle near the close of the Korean War in November 1952.
There was immense damage to his F9F-5 Panther jet, but he managed a near-perfect landing on the flight deck of the USS Oriskany. Despite the heroic effort, Williams was instructed to keep the action secret to avoid a possible confrontation with Russia. The truth was not revealed until 2002.
“Escondido’s Royce Williams is 100 years young, a Top Gun pilot like no other, and an American hero for all time,” said Issa. “The heroism and valor he demonstrated for more than 35 harrowing minutes almost 70 years ago in the skies over the North Pacific and the coast of North Korea saved the lives of his fellow pilots, shipmates and crew.”
“His story is one for the ages and it now has its rightful chapter as Royce receives the Medal of Honor,” said. Issa.
The National Defense Authorization Act for 2026, finalized on Sunday, includes language that removes a five-year statute of limitations so that Williams can be considered for the nation’s highest military recognition. President Trump will have the final say on whether to award the medal.
Royce initially received the Silver Star, and that was elevated to the Navy Cross in 2023, but Issa and other supporters continued to press for the highest recognition.
Hence then, the article about defense bill includes likely medal of honor for escondido korean war ace was published today ( ) and is available on Times of San Diego ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Defense bill includes likely Medal of Honor for Escondido Korean War ace )
Also on site :
- Hollywood mourns loss of beloved makeup artist Jasen Kaplan
- Rose Parade Viewers 'Floored' by 'Disaster' Finale Performance: 'Yikes'
- Taylor Swift attends Este Haim’s NYE wedding to Jonathan Levin at boutique hotel in California