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100-Year-Old Korean War Vet, Fallen Soldier to Receive Medal of Honor
President Trump to honor heroic acts of service members from the Korean War and Afghanistan
Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:23pm
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President Donald Trump will award the prestigious Medal of Honor to two service members - a 100-year-old Korean War veteran who engaged in a legendary 35-minute dogfight with Soviet MiG-15 fighters, and posthumously to a fallen Army Staff Sergeant who sacrificed his life to save an allied soldier in Afghanistan.
Why it matters
The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military decoration, recognizing acts of valor that go 'above and beyond the call of duty.' Awarding this honor to these two individuals, one a centenarian still alive to receive it and the other posthumously, highlights the heroism and sacrifice of American service members across different generations and conflicts.
The details
In 1952, then-Lieutenant Royce Williams was serving aboard the USS Oriskany when his group of four pilots encountered seven Soviet MiG-15 fighters over North Korea. The other three pilots had to return to the carrier, leaving Williams in a 35-minute one-on-one dogfight where he shot down four MiGs and likely hit two others before escaping back to the carrier. In Afghanistan in 2013, Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis shielded an allied soldier from a suicide bomber, sacrificing his own life to save another. President Trump personally called Ollis' parents to inform them that their son would be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
- In November 1952, Williams engaged in the legendary 35-minute dogfight with Soviet MiGs over North Korea.
- In 2013, Ollis was killed in action in Afghanistan while shielding an allied soldier from a suicide bomber.
The players
Royce Williams
A 100-year-old Korean War veteran who engaged in a 35-minute dogfight with seven Soviet MiG-15 fighters in 1952, shooting down four and likely hitting two others before escaping back to his aircraft carrier.
Michael Ollis
A fallen Army Staff Sergeant who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2013 while shielding an allied soldier from a suicide bomber, an act of valor that will be recognized with the Medal of Honor posthumously.
What they’re saying
“Michael's looking down on you right now... he gave his life to save another soldier... this is the highest honor we can give.”
— President Donald Trump
“Thank you, Mr. President... This means the world to us... Michael would be so proud.”
— Mr. Ollis, Father of Michael Ollis
What’s next
The Medal of Honor ceremonies for both Royce Williams and Michael Ollis are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, officiated by President Trump.
The takeaway
The awarding of the Medal of Honor to these two service members, one a centenarian Korean War veteran and the other a fallen hero from the Afghanistan conflict, underscores the timeless valor and sacrifice of American troops across generations. Their stories of heroism will inspire the nation.
