This real-life Korean War “Top Gun” kept his war story secret for 50 years.
In 1952, then-U.S. Navy pilot Royce Williams engaged in possibly the longest solo aerial dogfight against four Soviet jets, shooting down the enemy planes in less than 30 minutes,Williams, 97, who retired in 1975, on Friday received the Navy Cross, the service’s second-highest award for military honor.
The award came after decades of Williams abiding by a promise to keep his mouth shut—even among friends and family—about this brief yet striking moment of aerial combat, the San Diego Union-TribuneTom Cruise, who played the fictional Maverick in the “Top Gun” series, congratulated the American hero for his award. in a video recording. “You are a true American hero and I offer you my most sincere thanks and congratulations to you, sir.
On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams was conducting combat air patrol in a F9F Panther with three other US fighter pilots along the Yalu River, over the northernmost part of Korean Peninsula that separates North Korea from China, and near what was then the Soviet Union. CAPT Royce Williams The leader of their patrol suffered mechanical problems and left with his wingman back to a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Sea of Japan. Then Williams and his wingman noticed seven Soviet MiG-15s heading toward the Americans. American Veterans CenterAfter the pair were ordered to get between the Soviet forces and the U.S. aircraft carriers, four of the MiGs began shooting at the pair, leading Williams to return fire.
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