Congressman Issa Issues Statement After Navy Cross Upgrade

Congressman Darrell Issa released a statement regarding the upcoming upgrade to the Navy Cross for Navy Captain E. Royce William, California.

Williams will be recognized for his 7-on-1 battle in 1952, when he flew his F9F-5 Panther alone against a group of Soviet MiG-15s. After years without recognition, William's previously received Silver Star will be upgraded to the Navy Cross. Williams came away the victor, shooting down 4 before excaping with a 37-mm hole in his fuselage. With his battered aircraft, Williams still managed to bring her home and nail his carrier landing. His Panther, with 263 holes riddling its surface, was tossed into the sea.

Unfortunately, Cold War sensibilities required the incident to stay buried, leaving it a matter of secrecy until the fall of the Soviet Union. After the regime collapsed, old Soviet records were released, proving the incident from the other side - 4 MiGs were indeed lost on November 18, 1952. Over the years Congressman Issa has sought to gain Williams his rightful recognition for his actions that day, now finally coming to fruition. 

“Royce Williams is 97 years young, a Top Gun pilot like no other, and an American hero for all time,” said Issa. “The heroism and valor he demonstrated for 35 harrowing minutes 70 years ago in the skies over the North Pacific and the coast of North Korea saved the lives of his fellow pilots, shipmates, and crew. His story is one for the ages, but is now being fully told."
 
“It is to this day the most unique U.S.-Soviet aerial combat dogfight in the history of the Cold War, and one in which Royce Williams performed an act of indomitable courage of the highest skill under incalculable duress. It is my honor to have fought for Royce to gain a recognition that he has not sought, but so richly deserves." 

FMI: www.navy.mil