Elmer Royce Williams

Shielded the fleet in a lone jet battle against Soviet MiGs.

Elmer Royce Williams was born in Wilmot, South Dakota, on 4 April 1925. He served in the Minnesota Guard before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and qualifying as a naval aviator in 1945. Early carrier assignments included flying F6F Hellcats and F4U Corsairs. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Minnesota and returned to operational flying.

During the Korean War, Lieutenant Williams served with Fighter Squadron 781 aboard USS Oriskany, flying the F9F-5 Panther. On 18 November 1952, he was leading a three-plane combat patrol protecting Task Force 77 off North Korea when Soviet MiG-15 fighters attacked. Separated from the other American aircraft, he continued the engagement for roughly 35 minutes despite the enemy fighters' performance advantage. His Panther was badly damaged, but he evaded further attacks, found cover in cloud and landed aboard Oriskany. The official Medal of Honor citation credits his actions with destroying three MiG-15s, severely damaging a fourth and protecting hundreds of sailors. The engagement remained classified for decades.

His subsequent career included an Air Force exchange assignment at Nellis, staff duties at the Bureau of Naval Personnel and command of Fighter Squadron 33 in 1964-1965. As commander of Carrier Air Wing 11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk in 1965-1967, he led combat operations during the Vietnam War. He later worked on POW/MIA matters, commanded USS Eldorado from September 1969 to January 1971 and held Pacific Fleet staff assignments. He entered the Temporary Disability Retired List in 1975 and retired as a captain in 1980.

The Silver Star awarded for the 1952 engagement in 1953 was upgraded to the Navy Cross, approved in December 2022 and presented on 20 January 2023. The same action was subsequently recognized with the Medal of Honor, presented on 24 February 2026 during the State of the Union address. On 25 April 2023, South Korea had also awarded him the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 18 November 1952 while leading a division of three jet fighters attached to Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE (VF-781) and embarked on the USS ORISKANY. While flying a combat patrol mission over the northeastern coastal waters of enemy-held North Korea, Lieutenant Williams demonstrated extraordinary heroism by intercepting a superior force of attacking enemy MiG-15 fighters in order to protect the ships of Task Force 77. After thwarting the enemy’s initial attack, he maneuvered his aircraft to make two firing passes on one MiG, which then spiraled into the sea. He inflicted heavy damage to a second MiG-15, which started smoking badly and retired from the fight. When his own aircraft was severely damaged by a direct hit from one of the remaining enemy MiG-15s, Lieutenant Williams evaded further enemy attack while continuing to direct the dogfight. He eventually found cover in a cloud bank, broke off the engagement, and miraculously landed his nearly uncontrollable aircraft on the USS ORISKANY. His exceptional airmanship, coupled with his complete disregard for his own personal safety, resulted in the destruction of three enemy MiG-15s and severe damage to a fourth, and undoubtedly saved the lives of hundreds of Task Force 77 sailors. By his undaunted courage, bold initiative, and total devotion to duty, Lieutenant Williams reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.