San Diego came together Saturday to honor a hometown military hero. A ceremony aboard the USS Midway celebrated Captain Royce Williams, just weeks after he received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award.
Veterans, family members, friends and admirers filled the flight deck for the ceremony, marking a moment many described as long overdue.
The heroism behind Williams’ Medal of Honor dates back nearly 74 years. On Nov. 18, 1952, then-Lieutenant Williams took on seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets alone during a 35-minute dogfight. He shot down four enemy aircraft and returned with more than 260 bullet holes in his own plane.
The mission was classified for five decades, and Williams was ordered not to speak about it, even to his wife. Only in recent years has the full story become public.
While Williams has received numerous awards over the years, Saturday’s ceremony brought new tributes. A plaque will be installed at the Mount Soledad Memorial, and a commemorative brick has been dedicated at the future Freedom Park.
The city added another distinction during the ceremony.
“I am proclaiming today, March 21, to be Captain Royce Williams Day throughout the City of San Diego in recognition of all that you’ve done for us, sir,” City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said at the podium.
The event concluded with a tribute flyover, as crowds later gathered to thank Williams for his service and spend a few moments with him.
Williams, who will turn 101 in just a couple of weeks, reflected on the recognition with humility.
“Well, I feel a little all puffed up, feeling great, and almost feel noble, but that’s a lie,” he said with a laugh.
When asked about the long wait for recognition, he added, “well that’s true, that’s true, be patient, what do you know, you live long enough, and a lot of things happen.”