Trump to Award Medal of Honor to 100-Year-Old Pilot, Fallen Soldier

Retired Navy captain faced off with Soviet jets in secret Korean War dogfight, while Army sergeant died shielding Polish soldier from suicide bomber in Afghanistan

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:07pm

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President Trump plans to award the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest decoration, to a 100-year-old retired Navy captain who secretly engaged in a 35-minute dogfight with Soviet fighter jets during the Korean War, as well as to the family of an Army sergeant who was killed in Afghanistan after shielding a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber.

Why it matters

The Medal of Honor is rarely awarded, with only around 3,500 recipients since its introduction during the Civil War. These two new recipients represent extraordinary acts of valor and heroism, with the Navy captain's secret confrontation with Soviet forces during the Cold War era and the Army sergeant's selfless sacrifice to protect an allied soldier in Afghanistan.

The details

In 1952 during the Korean War, Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams encountered a group of seven Soviet MiG-15 jets off the coast of Korea and shot down four of them in a 35-minute dogfight, described as the "longest dogfight in U.S. military history." Williams was told to keep the incident secret for decades. Meanwhile, Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis was killed in 2013 in Afghanistan after physically shielding a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber, saving the Polish soldier's life.

  • In 1952, during the Korean War, Williams engaged in the secret dogfight with Soviet jets.
  • In 2013, Ollis was killed in Afghanistan while shielding a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber.
  • In 2019, Ollis was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
  • In 2023, Williams was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions.
  • In 2026, President Trump will award the Medal of Honor to Williams and Ollis' family.

The players

E. Royce Williams

A 100-year-old retired Navy captain who secretly engaged in a 35-minute dogfight with Soviet fighter jets during the Korean War, shooting down four MiG-15s.

Michael Ollis

An Army Staff Sergeant who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013 after physically shielding a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber, saving the Polish soldier's life.

Darrell Issa

A Republican Congressman from California who has pushed for Williams to receive the Medal of Honor.

Karol Cierpica

A Polish Army Lieutenant who was wounded and protected by Ollis from the suicide bomber in Afghanistan.

Bob and Linda Ollis

The parents of Michael Ollis, who expressed gratitude that their son's heroism has not been forgotten.

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What they’re saying

“Every generation has its heroes … Michael Ollis is one of ours.”

— Gen. James McConville

“Knowing that Michael's life, legacy and final act of courage have not been forgotten leaves us with a feeling of overwhelming pride and eternal gratitude.”

— Bob and Linda Ollis, Parents of Michael Ollis

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

— E. Royce Williams, Retired Navy Captain

What’s next

The White House has stated that President Trump will formally award the Medal of Honor to Capt. E. Royce Williams and the family of Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis in a ceremony in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

These two Medal of Honor recipients exemplify the highest levels of military valor and selflessness, with the Navy captain's secret Cold War aerial engagement and the Army sergeant's ultimate sacrifice to save an allied soldier's life. Their recognition underscores the extraordinary courage and dedication of U.S. service members, past and present.