Royce Williams

{{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox military person | name = Royce Williams | birth_name = Elmer Royce Williams | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1925|4|4|df=y}} | death_date = | birth_place = Wilmot, South Dakota, U.S. | death_place = | burial_place = | burial_label = | image = 2026 Medal of Honor recipient United States Navy Captain Elmer Royce Williams at Hall of Heroes induction ceremony on 25 February (cropped).jpg | caption = Williams at Medal of Honor ceremony on February 25, 2026 | nickname = Royce | allegiance =  | branch = {{Dodseal|naval}} United States Navy | service_years = 1943–1980 | rank = Captain | commands = {{tree list}} * {{USS|Eldorado|AGC-11|6}} * CVW-11 * VF-33<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.epnaao.com/BIOS_files/REGULARS/Williams-%20E%20Royce.pdf | title=E. Royce Williams, Captain, USN (Ret.) - Duty Assignment Chronology | website=www.epnaao.com}}</ref> {{tree list/end}} | unit = | known_for = Downing four Soviet MiG-15s in one engagement during the Korean War | battles = World War II<br/>Korean War<br/>Vietnam War | awards = {{ubl|Medal of Honor|Distinguished Flying Cross (2)|Legion of Merit with "V"|Bronze Star Medal|Meritorious Service Medal (2)|Air Medal (11)|South Korean Order of Military Merit (Taeguk)}} | alma_mater = University of Minnesota | relations = | other_work = }}

'''Elmer Royce Williams'''<ref name=Eldorado/> (born 4 April 1925) is a retired United States Navy (USN) naval aviator. He is known for his solo dogfight with seven Soviet pilots during the Korean War in 1952, which military experts have called "one of the greatest feats in aviation history".<ref name = SDUT/> Originally awarded the Silver Star in 1953 for his conduct during the dogfight, in 2023 he was given an upgrade to the Navy Cross, the USN's second highest decoration.

On February 24, 2026, Captain Williams received the Medal of Honor.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Rep. Issa |first=Darrell [R-CA-48 |date=2025-03-03 |title=Text - H.R.1819 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to E. Royce Williams for acts of valor during the Korean War. |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1819/text |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=www.congress.gov}}</ref> Captain Williams is the last living Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War.<ref group="note">Prior to Williams being awarded the Medal of Honor in February 2026, Ralph Puckett Jr. was considered the last living Korean War Medal of Honor recipient.</ref>

==Early life and military career== Royce Williams was born on 4 April 1925, and grew up in Wilmot, South Dakota and Clinton, Minnesota.<ref name = navylog>{{cite news|url=http://navylog.navymemorial.org/williams-royce|title=Royce Williams|work=Navy Log|access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref> He earned the rank of Eagle Scout,<ref name=":1">{{cite magazine |last=Henry |first=Howard |date=19 October 2017 |title=Silent Hero |url=https://www.legion.org/information-center/news/magazine/2017/october/silent-hero |magazine=The American Legion |location=Indianapolis, IN |publisher=The American Legion |access-date=6 March 2026}}</ref> and was a corporal in the Minnesota State Guard before joining the Navy.<ref name="epnaao" /> He and his brother aspired to become pilots; both enlisted during World War II, although Royce Williams' flight training was deferred while he attended college in Minnesota.<ref name="Cleaver" /> Williams trained on the Naval Aircraft Factory N3N at Murray, Kentucky and Conway, Arkansas in 1944; and in 1945 on the N2S, SNV, SNJ and SBD at NAS Memphis, Tennessee and NAS Pensacola, Florida.<ref name="epnaao" /> He qualified as a naval aviator at NAS Pensacola in August 1945.<ref name="Cleaver" /> In 1946, Williams was declared operational on the F6F Hellcat at NAS Miami, Florida and deployed with VBF-81 onboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and USS Princeton (CV-37). In 1946, he also served with VBF-98, flying the Vought F4U Corsair. From 1946 to 1949, Williams returned to USS Princeton, flying the F4U and F8F, as part of VF-81, VF-13A and VF-131.<ref name="epnaao" />

From 1949 to 1950, Williams studied for his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Minnesota, and then in 1951 for his Master's at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. From 1952 to 1954, he was deployed on USS Oriskany with VF-781, and on USS Boxer with VF-121. Williams was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada from 1954 to 1956, flying the North American F-86 Sabre (E/F/H variants) and the North American F-100 Super Sabre. In 1957, he was stationed at Naval Air Facility El Centro in El Centro, California, flying the North American FJ-3 Fury. At El Centro, during an assisted takeoff flying the F9F Panther, Williams suffered injuries to his back and neck when the aircraft crashed due to engine failure. In 1958, Williams attended the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. From 1959 to 1960, he was deployed with VF-173 onboard USS Intrepid (CV-11) and USS Independence (CV-62), flying the FJ-3 as Assistant Air Operations. Williams then flew the Vought F-8E Crusader with VF-124 from 1960 to 1961. From 1961 to 1963, he was the supervisor of officer promotions at the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS). From 1963 to 1964, he was an RAG (Fleet Replacement Squadron) Student with VF-174. Williams was the commanding officer of VF-33 from July 1964 to August 1965, which flew the F-8E off USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and the McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II off USS America (CV-66).<ref name="epnaao" />

Early in his career, he learned to fly the F9F-5 Panther jet and was assigned to a fleet fighter squadron duinng the Korean War, during which he flew 70 missions.<ref name=SDUT/>[[File:F9F VF-781 landing CV-34 1952.jpeg|thumb|right|A VF-781 F9F lands on the {{USS|Oriskany|CVA-34|6}} in November 1952]] In 1952, then-Lieutenant Williams was serving with VF-781 aboard the {{USS|Oriskany|CVA-34|6}} as part of Task Force 77. On 18 November 1952, on his second mission of the day, while on combat air patrol near Hoeryong, North Korea, his group of four pilots spotted seven MiG-15s overhead. Two of the other three pilots had to return to the carrier and the MiGs began attacking Williams, putting him into a 35-minute dogfight with seven MiG-15s.<ref name = Task>{{cite news|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/history/royce-williams-korean-war-fighter-pilot/|title=The real-life Maverick who took on 7 Soviet jets in a classified Korean War dogfight|last=Hauptman|first=Max|date=24 June 2022|work=Task & Purpose|access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> It is believed to be the longest dogfight in U.S. Navy history.<ref name = SDUT>{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/escondido/story/2022-06-17/news-feature-on-korean-war-veteran-pilot-capt-royce-williams-of-escondido|title=Secret hero of the Navy's greatest solo air battle is from Escondido. Will he finally get his Medal of Honor?|last=Kragen|first=Pam|date=17 June 2022|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=15 July 2022}}</ref> Commanders on his carrier ordered him away, but Williams had to tell them he was already fighting for his life.<ref name=CNN>{{cite news |title=US pilot shot down four Soviet MiGs in 30 minutes -- and kept it a secret for 50 years |first=Brad |last=Lendon |date=2023-01-20 |work=CNN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/us-pilot-shot-down-four-soviet-migs-in-30-minutes-and-kept-it-a-secret-for-50-years/ar-AA16zMuw?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=736d988983e8439d804811086d983b3c |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref> He shot down four MiGs and likely hit two others.<ref name=CityNews/> By the end of the 35-minute period, only one of the MiGs was still in the air with him, and he managed to escape to his carrier, out of ammunition and having lost his hydraulics. He was uninjured, but 263 holes were counted in his Panther jet. Some accounts state he never saw the plane again as it was pushed into the sea.<ref name = Task/>

The story of his battle with the Soviet MiGs led to Williams being debriefed at the time by admirals, the Secretary of Defense, and a few weeks later by newly inaugurated President Dwight D. Eisenhower.<ref name=CNN/> These authorities decided to cover up the specifics of the battle, because the Soviet Union was not officially a combatant in the Korean War, and it was feared publicity about the air battle would draw the Soviets further into the conflict. The dogfight was scrubbed from U.S. Navy and National Security Agency records, and Williams was sworn to secrecy about the incident—so much so that he never told anyone about it, not even his wife nor his pilot brother, until Korean War records were declassified in 2002.<ref name = SDUT/> The record of the incident in Navy records said he only shot down one enemy (not listed as "Soviet")<ref name=CNN/> plane and damaged another, for which he was awarded the Silver Star in 1953.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/43421|title=Hall of Valor|work=Military Times|access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref>

However, the dogfight was recorded in Soviet archives which were released after the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. The Soviet records say only one of four MiGs returned to base. A 2014 Russian book, ''Red Devils over the Yalu: A Chronicle of Soviet Aerial Operations in the Korean War 1950–53'', describes the battle and mentions Williams. The four MiGs were flown by Soviet Naval Aviation pilots, with Captain Beliakov and Lieutenants Pakhomkin and Vandaev being shot down, and Lieutenant Pushkarev returning to base.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Seidof|first1=Igor|translator-last=Britton |translator-first=Stuart |title=Red Devils over the Yalu: A Chronicle of Soviet Aerial Operations in the Korean War 1950-53 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WqJZBAAAQBAJ&q=Royce%20Williams|year=2013|publisher=Helion & Company|isbn=978-1-909384-41-5}}</ref>

In his book ''Holding the Line'' about Task Force 77, Thomas McKelvey Cleaver described the fight, saying "On November 18, 1952, Royce Williams became the top-scoring carrier-based naval aviator and the top-scoring naval aviator in a Navy jet of the 'forgotten war'." He added, "In the fight of his life, Royce Williams had accomplished what no other American fighter pilot would ever accomplish: shoot down four MiG-15s in one fight."<ref name = Cleaver>{{cite book|last=Cleaver|first=Thomas McKelvey|title=Holding the Line: The Naval Air Campaign in Korea |year=2019|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-4728-3172-9}}</ref>

From December 1965 to January 1967, Williams flew 110 missions in A-4 Skyhawks and F-4 Phantoms from the aircraft carrier {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|6}} during the Vietnam War, as the commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11). From 1967 to 1969, he was on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), and also the Director of POW/MIA Matters at BUPERS. He supervised the repatriation of American personnel from North Korea after the capture of USS Pueblo (AGER-2) and the 1969 EC-121 shootdown.<ref name="epnaao">{{cite web|url=https://www.epnaao.com/BIOS_files/REGULARS/Williams-%20E%20Royce.pdf|title=E. Royce Williams, Captain, USN (Ret.)|newspaper=|access-date=2022-10-26|website=Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators Association}}</ref> Williams was the commanding officer of the command ship {{USS|Eldorado|AGC-11|6}} between September 1969 and January 1971.<ref name=Eldorado>{{Cite web |title=Amphibious Force Command Ship Photo Index AGC-11 Eldorado |url=http://www.navsource.net/archives/10/01/0111.htm |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=NavSource}}</ref> From 1971 to 1973, he was on the staff of CINCPAC, serving as the Battle Staff Chief, Deputy J3C and Inspector General. Williams was the Chief of Staff for the Commander, Fleet Air, Western Pacific (CFWP( from 1973 to 1974. In 1975, he was appointed the Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations) to the Commander, Training Command, Pacific Fleet. However, he was placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List in September 1975 after evaluation at the Naval Medical Center San Diego.<ref name="epnaao" />

Williams retired from the Navy as a captain in January 1980.<ref name="epnaao" /> In retirement, he lives in Escondido, California.<ref name="CityNews" /> He accumulated around 4,500 flight hours in his career, with 3,000 of these on jet aircraft and 1,500 on propeller aircraft. Williams also totaled 518 aircraft carrier landings, all on fixed-wing aircraft. He also survived an undated accident, when both engines on an F-4 Phantom II he was flying caught fire. His radar intercept officer (RIO) ejected, and Williams brought the aircraft back to the base. This enabled US Navy engineers to finally identify and fix the twin engine fire problem, because previously any such incidents meant crew members ejected and the plane was not salvaged.<ref name="epnaao" />

==Secrecy== Williams maintained his secrecy about his aerial feat for decades. After the information was declassified, he shared his story with close friends and spoke about it at small gatherings. His story first received national attention when the American Legion Magazine published a cover story in November 2017.<ref name=":1" />

In the story, Williams detailed the aerial battle, his vow of secrecy and his other military service. Williams, a longtime member of The American Legion, also received support from the national organization. In August 2017, the Legion’s National Executive Committee approved Resolution 70, which calls for the Legion to petition Congress and the Department of Defense to award the Medal of Honor to recognize Williams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resolution No. 70: Medal of Honor for E. Royce Williams {{!}} Digital Archive |url=https://archive.legion.org/node/539 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241224192909/https://archive.legion.org/node/539 |archive-date=2024-12-24 |access-date=2026-03-15 |website=archive.legion.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Medal of Honor campaign== [[File:230120-N-SR275-1328 Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visits with retired U.S. Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams (2023).jpg|thumb|Williams with U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro after being awarded the Navy Cross (20 January 2023)]]

In 2014, retired Rear Admiral Doniphan Shelton became aware of Williams' feat, and he began an unsuccessful years-long campaign for the Navy or Department of Defense to recommend him for the Medal of Honor for his exploit. Shelton said Williams' heroism was "unmatched either in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or since then".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theaviationgeekclub.com/medal-of-honor-sought-for-us-korean-war-f9f-naval-aviator-who-shot-down-4-soviet-mig-15s-in-a-single-top-secret-dogfight/|title=Medal of Honor sought for US Korean War F9F Naval Aviator who shot down 4 Soviet MiG-15s in a single top-secret dogfight|last=Leone|first=Dario|date=29 May 2020|work=The Aviation Geek Club|access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> On 14 July 2022, a bipartisan group of five congressmen persuaded the House of Representatives to approve an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act which would waive the statute of limitations for a potential Medal of Honor for Williams. The amendment and bill were approved for the House version of the bill, which were then forwarded to the United States Senate, which removed the provision in conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/house-places-san-diego-county-resident-former-us-naval-aviator-on-path-to-receive-medal-of-honor/2995564/|title=House Nominates Former US Naval Aviator With Impressive Dogfight Story for Medal of Honor|newspaper=NBC San Diego|date=2022-07-15|access-date=2022-10-31}}</ref><ref name=CityNews>{{cite news|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2022/07/14/house-votes-medal-of-honor-for-escondidos-forgotten-korean-war-ace/|title=House Votes to Grant Medal of Honor to Escondido's 'Forgotten' Korean War Ace|date=15 July 2022|newspaper=Times of San Diego|access-date=15 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=FY23 NDAA Joint Explanatory Statement | url=https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/fy23_ndaa_joint_explanatory_statement.pdf | page=124 | website=www.armed-services.senate.gov}}</ref>

In December 2022 Williams was awarded the Navy Cross as an upgrade of the Silver Star the Navy awarded him in 1953.<ref name=":NAVY">{{cite web|url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/3252851/secnav-awards-navy-cross-to-retired-korean-war-veteran/|title=SECNAV Awards Navy Cross to Retired Korean War Veteran|newspaper=U.S. Navy|date=2022-12-21|access-date= January 8, 2023}}</ref> The award was approved by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who said, "Having reviewed the findings of now numerous investigations related to the case of Capt. Royce Williams, I have determined this case to be special and extraordinary. His actions clearly distinguished himself during a high-risk mission and deserve proper recognition."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/military/story/2023-01-13/korean-war-navy-cross-royce-williams|title=Secret hero of Korean War air battle to receive Navy Cross|last=Wilkens|first=John|date=January 13, 2023|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref>

[[File:260225-D-FN350-2266 Pete Hegseth hosts Medal of Honor Recipient U.S. Navy Capt. Royce William’s Hall of Heroes induction ceremony (2026-02-25).jpg|thumb|Williams with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (second from left) during the Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon (2026)]] On 4 February 2026, Williams' congressman Darrell Issa announced confirmation from President Donald Trump that Williams would be receiving the Medal of Honor.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Darrell Issa |user=repdarrellissa |number=2019061562703544336 |title=Breaking News}}</ref> The award was received at the 2026 State of the Union Address on 24 February 2026, presented by First Lady Melania Trump.<ref name=":0" /> Following the awarding, Williams is the last living Korean War Medal of Honor recipient.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2026-news-articles/spotlight/moaa-member,-100,-to-receive-medal-of-honor-for-historic-korean-war-air-battle/|title=MOAA Member, 100, to Receive Medal of Honor for Historic Korean War Air Battle|first=Pavel|last=Bure|newspaper=Military Officers Association of America|date=2026-02-10|access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref>

== Medal of Honor Citation == 100px|left|alt=A light blue neck ribbon with a gold star shaped medallion hanging from it. The ribbon is similar in shape to a bowtie with 13 white stars in the center of the ribbon.

<blockquote>For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 18 November 1952 while leading a division of three jet fighters attached to Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE (VF-781) and embarked on the USS ORISKANY. While flying a combat patrol mission over the northeastern coastal waters of enemy-held North Korea, Lieutenant Williams demonstrated extraordinary heroism by intercepting a superior force of attacking enemy MiG-15 fighters in order to protect the ships of Task Force 77. After thwarting the enemy’s initial attack, he maneuvered his aircraft to make two firing passes on one MiG, which then spiraled into the sea. He inflicted heavy damage to a second MiG-15, which started smoking badly and retired from the fight. When his own aircraft was severely damaged by a direct hit from one of the remaining enemy MiG-15s, Lieutenant WIlliams evaded further enemy attack while continuing to direct the dogfight. He eventually found cover in a cloud bank, broke off the engagement, and miraculously landed his nearly uncontrollable aircraft on the USS ORISKANY. His exceptional airmanship, coupled with his complete disregard for his own personal safety, resulted in the destruction of three enemy MiG-15s and severe damage to a fourth, and undoubtedly saved the lives of hundreds of Task Force 77 sailors. By his undaunted courage, bold initiative, and total devotion to duty, Lieutenant Williams reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.<ref name=":MT">{{cite web|url=https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/elmer-r-williams|title=Elmer Royce Williams Medal of Honor citation|website=Congressional Medal of Honor Society|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> </blockquote>

== Awards and decorations == His medals include the Medal of Honor, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.<ref name="navylog" /><ref name="epnaao" /> {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" | colspan="3" |center|200x200px |- | colspan="3" |{{Ribbon devices|width=106|name=Medal of Honor ribbon}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|other_device=v|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|other_device=|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=|type=|other_device=|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=10|type=award-star|name=Air Medal ribbon|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|other_device=v}} |- |{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Navy_Unit_Commendation_ribbon.svg|width=106|number=1|type=service-star}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Navy_Meritorious_Unit_Commendation_ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=China_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} |{{ribbon devices|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=|ribbon=Army of Occupation Ribbon.png|width=106px}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Korean_Service_Medal_-_Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-leaf|ribbon=Vietnam_gallantry_cross_unit_award-3d.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" !Badge | colspan="3" |Naval Aviator Badge |- !'''1st row''' | colspan="3" |Medal of Honor |- !2nd row |Legion of Merit {{small|with "V" Device}} |Distinguished Flying Cross {{small|with 5⁄16-inch star}} |Bronze Star Medal |- !3rd row |Meritorious Service Medal {{small|with 5⁄16-inch star}} |Air Medal {{small|with 10 5⁄16-inch stars}} |Navy Commendation Medal {{small|with "V" Device}} |- !4th row |Navy Unit Commendation {{small|with 1 Service star}} |Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation |China Service Medal |- !5th row |American Campaign Medal |World War II Victory Medal |Navy Occupation Service Medal {{small|with 'Asia' clasp}} |- !6th row |National Defense Service Medal {{small|with 1 Service star}} |Korean Service Medal {{small|with 3 Campaign stars}} |Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |- !7th row |Vietnam Service Medal {{small|with 4 Campaign stars}} |Korean Presidential Unit Citation |RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation {{small|with Palm}} |- !8th row |United Nations Service Medal Korea |Vietnam Campaign Medal |Korean War Service Medal {{small|Retroactively awarded, 2003}} |} '''Foreign awards''' {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Taeguk_Cordon_Medal.png|width=110}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |Order of Military Merit {{small|Taeguk Cordon Medal}} |}

==In popular culture== In 2020, a 20-minute documentary, ''Actions Speak Louder Than Medals – the Royce Williams Story'', directed by John Mollison, was screened at the GI Film Festival, San Diego.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gifilmfestivalsd.org/2021/movies/actions-speak-louder-than-medals-the-royce-williams-story/|title=Actions Speak Louder Than Medals – the Royce Williams Story|access-date=16 July 2022 |website= GI Film Festival San Diego}}</ref> Captain Royce Williams dictated his life story to author W. Craig Reed for his book, The 7 Secrets of Neuron Leadership, the only book in print with Royce’s full biographical life story. Reed lives near Royce and spent many nights on his balcony listening to his incredible “sea stories.” Royce notes that President Eisenhower convinced him to switch from bourbon to scotch, however, Reed introduced Royce to Monkey Shoulder scotch, which is now the only drink he prefers.<ref>The 7 Secrets of Neuron Leadership, Wiley, 2018, {{ISBN|978-1-119-42824-4}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|Biography}} *List of Medal of Honor recipients *List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients

==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Royce}} Category:1925 births Category:Living people Category:People from Roberts County, South Dakota Category:People from Escondido, California Category:Military personnel from South Dakota Category:Aviators from South Dakota Category:United States Naval Aviators Category:United States Navy captains Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) Category:Recipients of the Silver Star Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States) Category:Recipients of the Air Medal Category:Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (South Korea) Category:Survivors of aviation accidents or incidents Category:United States Navy personnel of the Korean War Category:United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War Category:University of Minnesota alumni Category:American men centenarians Category:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients Category:Korean War recipients of the Medal of Honor