Escondido Honors 101-Year-Old Korean War Veteran with Medal of Honor

The city celebrates the lifetime service and recent recognition of Captain Royce E. Williams.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:23am

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A serene, nostalgic painting of an American flag waving outside a government building, the scene bathed in warm sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the reverence and gratitude of a community for its military veterans.The city of Escondido pays tribute to a Korean War hero, honoring his lifetime of service and sacrifice.Escondido Today

The city of Escondido, California celebrated the 101st birthday of Captain Royce E. Williams, a Korean War veteran who was recently awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, for his extraordinary heroism during a 1952 dogfight with Soviet MiG fighters in the Sea of Japan. The celebration included patriotic performances, proclamations from local officials, and the unveiling of a plaque honoring Williams' service.

Why it matters

Williams' actions during the 1952 dogfight were declassified only 10 years ago, finally allowing the public to learn about his heroism. The ceremony in Escondido recognizes Williams' lifetime of service and sacrifice, and serves as an important moment to honor the city's veterans and their contributions to the country.

The details

On November 18, 1952, Williams was flying an F9F-5 Panther when he encountered seven Soviet MiG fighters. Despite being outnumbered, Williams singlehandedly shot down four of the MiGs before safely landing his damaged aircraft back on the aircraft carrier. Williams has since received numerous awards, including the Silver Star and Navy Cross, and in February 2026 was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration.

  • Captain Williams turned 101 years old on April 4, 2026.
  • The city council meeting and celebration took place on April 1, 2026, just days before Williams' birthday.

The players

Royce E. Williams

A 101-year-old Korean War veteran who was recently awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in a 1952 dogfight with Soviet MiG fighters.

Dane White

The Mayor of Escondido, California who presented a proclamation honoring Williams.

John Franklin

The Mayor of Vista, California who also presented a proclamation for Williams.

Adrienne Cisneros-Selekman

A representative from Supervisor Jim Desmond's office who presented a proclamation.

Saundra Cima

A board member with Honor Flight San Diego who escorted Williams into City Hall.

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What they’re saying

“We must honor the extraordinary service and sacrifice of our veterans like Captain Williams. His heroism during the Korean War is an inspiration to us all.”

— Dane White, Mayor of Escondido

What’s next

The city of Escondido plans to install a permanent plaque honoring Captain Williams on the Escondido Giving Arch in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This ceremony recognizes the lifetime of service and sacrifice of a Korean War veteran whose heroic actions were only recently declassified, allowing the public to learn about his bravery and inspiring the community to honor all of its veterans.