Bill > HR1819

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to E. Royce Williams for his extraordinary actions during a naval air battle on November 18, 1952, during the Korean War. The bill details Williams' heroic engagement with seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets while flying an F9F-5 Panther aircraft, during which he single-handedly shot down four, and possibly five, enemy aircraft in challenging blizzard conditions over the Sea of Japan. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Williams sustained significant damage to his aircraft, with 263 bullet holes, and managed to land safely on the U.S.S. Oriskany at high speed. At the time, he was only credited with downing one enemy aircraft and was instructed by his commanders not to discuss the incident. The bill waives standard time limitations for medal awards, allowing the President to recognize Williams' extraordinary valor decades after the event. The legislation highlights that Williams, who served over 30 years in the Navy and flew more than 220 missions in Korea and Vietnam, was previously awarded a Silver Star and more recently a Navy Cross for this particular action, but is now being considered for the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1819/all-info