Royce Williams Receives Medal of Honor

Captain Royce Williams, a retired Korean War veteran, received a welcome home when he exited the plane at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, California after receiving the metal of honor last Tuesday during the State of the Union. A crowd of friends, fans and family all holding American flags lined up to congratulate the 100-year-old veteran for his achievement.

Williams, born in April. 4, 1925, in Wilmont, South Dakota. Received several medals from a then-classified mission during the Korean War, where he survived a 35-minitue dog fight, where he fought alone against 7 Soviet pilots. Despite orders from his commanders to retreat, he disobeyed due to the jets already engaging in combat, he shot down four of the seven pilots during the engagement and was rumored to have damaged 2 others. He managed to return to the aircraft carrier uninjured, but out of ammunition, his plane’s hydraulics were lost, with two hundred and sixty-three holes counted in in his panther fighter jet.

His friends and other servicemen had been trying for years to get him recommended for the Medal of Honor award. When on Feb. 4, 2026, California Rep, Darrell Issa announced he was selected to receive the metal. On Tuesday, First Lady Melania Trump presented the award to him during the 2026 State of the Union Address.

Martin Wilson, Royce Williams’ chauffeur and friend, “I think when Melania put that around his neck and that smile, Laurie and I just got up and we’re dancing and you know, we’re all choked up. I’m just going, thank God, you know, and it was great.” Chuck Speilman, another friend of Williams’ cried tears of joy during the event “brought a handkerchief, so I’ll have to wipe my eyes for sure when that happens.”

“I have backing out here from amongst a lot of smiling faces and I want you to know I appreciate it.” Williams said after returning home to San Diego, wearing his Navy hat and Medal of Honor along with his burgundy sweater and khakis.

Royce Williams is the last surviving Korean War Medal of Honor recipient.