"In the skies over Korea in 1952, Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime, a legendary dogfight. 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."
President Trump recognized 100-year-old Royce Williams of Escondido during the State of the Union address for his extraordinary military heroism. Williams, a former Navy fighter pilot, flew over 220 missions across World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. In 1952 over Korea, Williams engaged in what is believed to be the longest dogfight in U.S. military history, where his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes. Despite being outnumbered, Williams destroyed four enemy jets while his aircraft sustained over 260 hits and he suffered severe injuries. The incident remained classified for over 50 years due to Cold War sensitivities, as the Soviet Union was not officially a combatant in Korea. Williams kept the details secret until records were declassified in 2002.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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