MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — South Dakota native Royce Williams is set to receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award, during a White House ceremony, according to an announcement from U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds.
Rounds said President Donald Trump will award the medal to Williams, a retired U.S. Navy captain and Wilmot resident.
Williams’ recognition stems from a Korean War-era aerial battle on Nov. 18, 1952, in which he fought seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets while flying an F9F Panther from the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, according to Stars and Stripes and other reporting.
Williams’ combat record was long kept quiet because the engagement involved Soviet pilots. His Silver Star was upgraded to the Navy Cross in 2023 after the incident was declassified and reviewed, and the White House has now confirmed he will receive the Medal of Honor.
Rounds said his office pursued the case for years following the declassification of Williams’ combat files.