If you watched the State of the Union Address last night, you got to see an amazing and overdue presentation to 100-year-old Capt. Elmer Royce Williams, who received the highest military honor in our country, the Medal of Honor. First Lady Melania Trump placed the medal around Capt. Williams’ neck as he smiled and humbly accepted it. It was a beautiful moment honoring a man who selflessly defended our country over and over again.
Today, the Pentagon sent out a press release stating that they are continuing to honor Capt. Williams.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle will induct retired Navy Capt. Elmer Royce Williams, who received the Medal of Honor from President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday, was inducted into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes today at 12:00 p.m. EST.
On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams was flying an F9F-5 Panther from the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34) with three other members of VF-781, when they encountered enemy MiG-15 aircraft. After thwarting the enemy’s initial attack, he maneuvered his aircraft to make two firing passes on one MiG-15, 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, 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 F9F-5 Panther aircraft on the Oriskany. His exceptional airmanship, coupled with his complete disregard for his own personal safety, destroyed three enemy MiG-15s and inflicted severe damage to a fourth, and undoubtedly saved the lives of hundreds of Task Force 77 sailors.
You can watch the ceremony below…
Williams was born in Wilmot, South Dakota, and enlisted in the U.S. Army at 16 years old in Ortonville, Minnesota. Upon completion of basic training, he returned to Ortonville to train with his unit in a reserve status until he finished high school.
Once he turned 17, Williams was eligible for the Naval Aviation Cadet program and joined the U.S. Navy, where he began flight training in 1943. Among many other aviation platforms, Williams learned to fly the F9F-5 Panther jet and was assigned to active duty in the Korean War, during which he flew 70 missions. Williams went on to serve in the Vietnam War, flying over 110 missions in the A-4 Skyhawk and F-4 Phantom from the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63).
Williams later served as the commanding officer of the command ship USS El Dorado (AGC-11) between September 1969 and January 1971.
He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Captain in 1980.
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