President Trump awarded a Medal of Honor during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address to a 100-year-old Korean War veteran — who received a standing ovation that lasted for several minutes.
Trump bestowed veteran fighter pilot E. Royce Williams, a retired Navy captain who shot down four Soviet MiG-15 jets in a classified 1952 operation that remained hidden from the American public for decades, with the nation’s highest military decoration near the end of his speech to Congress.
“Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime,” the president said of Williams’ heroics.
FIrst lady Melania Trump gives the Congressional Medal of Honor to Royce Williams during the State of the Union on Feb. 24, 2026. REUTERS“His squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes,” Trump continued. “It was his first aerial combat of the war, and despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned, Royce led the take down of four enemy jets and almost destroyed the others – vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane and being seriously hurt.”
“His story was secret for over 50 years … but the legend grew and grew.”
The fighter pilot’s exploits were kept under wraps for decades – even his wife was unaware – to avoid escalating tensions with the Soviet Union.
Williams’ mission required him to hit targets on the ground in North Korea – close to the country’s border with North Korea and in blizzard conditions — from his F9F-5 Panther fighter aircraft, according to a Pentagon account.
Within minutes of Williams arriving at his destination, the Soviets scrambled seven MiG-15 fighters tasked with shooting down his plane.
“They dropped back in and started shooting,” said Williams. “Since they started the fight, I shot back.”
“I could see the bullets coming over me, and under me.”
Capt. Royce Williams salutes after being recognized by President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address. AP
Barron Trump and first lady Melania Trump applaud Navy Pilot Capt. Royce Williams during the State of the Union. APTrump reportedly called Williams earlier this month to inform him of the honor, according to CBS News.
“Tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves,” Trump said.
First lady Melania Trump, who was seated next to the veteran in the gallery, presented Williams with the medal.
Williams received an extended standing ovation.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) celebrated a report that Trump would be honoring the veteran ahead of the address, noting that he and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) had “passed a law to waive the time limits so that Captain Williams could receive the Medal of Honor he deserves.”
“The dogfight lasted 35 minutes — an eternity for a fighter pilot — and by the end his plane was out of ammunition and badly damaged, and he barely managed to make it back to the aircraft carrier,” Kelly explained.
The senator argued that Williams’ secret mission “still stands out as one of the most exceptional and brave feats of naval aviation in our history.”
