Retired 100-year-old fighter pilot from Escondido receives Medal of Honor

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

President Trump honored two storied military veterans during his State of the Union address, including 100-year-old veteran Royce Williams of Escondido, who survived what is believed to be the longest dog fight in military history.The former Navy fighter pilot, who was seated next to First Lady Melania Trump in the Capitol during the president’s address Tuesday night, flew more than 220 missions in World War II as well as the wars in Korea and Vietnam.Trump called Williams “a living legend” before describing his war-time heroics.“In the skies over Korea in 1952, Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime, a legendary dogfight,” Trump said.“Flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.”Despite being outnumbered, Williams took down four of the jet fighters as his plane was hit more than 260 times and he was severely injured.

The incident was kept confidential because the Soviet Union was not officially a combatant in the Korean conflict, and American officials feared that if the air battle became known, it could compel the Soviets to formally enter the war.Williams didn’t speak about the details of the encounter — even with family members — until records about the dogfight were declassified in 2002.“His story was secret for over 50 years.

He didn’t even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew and grew,” Trump said.“Tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves.”Trump then announced that Williams would receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration.

Melania Trump placed the blue-ribboned medal around his neck.Williams was the guest of Rep.Darrell Issa (R-Bonsall), a fellow veteran.“My friend, constituent, and lifelong hero Royce Williams is a Top Gun pilot like no other, an American hero for all time, and now, a recipient of t...