100-Year-Old Korean War Veteran to Receive Medal of Honor

President Trump plans to award Royce Williams the military's highest honor during the State of the Union address.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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President Trump is planning to award 100-year-old Navy veteran Royce Williams the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest decoration for valor in combat, during the upcoming State of the Union address. Williams was part of a secret mission during the Korean War in 1952 where he engaged and shot down several Soviet MiG fighter jets in an intense aerial battle.

Why it matters

This would mark the first time a president has awarded the Medal of Honor during a State of the Union address, highlighting the significance of Williams' actions and the decades-long effort to recognize his heroism. The confrontation between American and Soviet forces during the Korean War was a politically sensitive event at the time, making Williams' story all the more remarkable.

The details

In 1952, during the Korean War, Williams and another American pilot were flying off the coast when they encountered seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets. The Soviet aircraft opened fire, and Williams shot down four of the MiGs in a half-hour dogfight, described as the longest aerial engagement in U.S. Navy history. Williams' actions were kept secret for decades due to the politically fraught nature of the confrontation between American and Soviet forces.

  • In 1952, during the height of the Korean War, the aerial engagement took place off the coast of the Korean Peninsula.
  • For decades, Williams kept the details of the mission secret, not even telling his wife.
  • Three years ago, Williams was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest combat decoration.
  • Last year, lawmakers authorized the president to bestow the Medal of Honor, waiving the requirement that it be awarded within five years.
  • President Trump called Williams earlier this month to inform him of the plan to award him the Medal of Honor during the State of the Union address on February 25, 2026.

The players

Royce Williams

A 100-year-old retired Navy captain who was part of a secret mission during the Korean War in 1952, where he engaged and shot down several Soviet MiG fighter jets in an intense aerial battle.

President Trump

The current President of the United States who plans to award Royce Williams the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest decoration for valor in combat, during the upcoming State of the Union address.

Darell Issa

A Republican Congressman from California's San Diego-area district, where Royce Williams resides, who has pressed for the retired Navy pilot to receive the Medal of Honor.

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What they’re saying

“In the moment I was a fighter pilot doing my job. I was only shooting what I had.”

— Royce Williams, Retired Navy Captain (Task & Purpose)

“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 unquestionably saved the lives of his fellow pilots, shipmates, and crew.”

— Darell Issa, U.S. Congressman (Statement)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This story highlights the remarkable bravery and skill of a 100-year-old veteran whose actions during the Korean War are only now being fully recognized, decades after the fact. It also underscores the political sensitivities of the Cold War era and the importance of honoring those who served with valor, even in the most challenging circumstances.