Retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, 100, is set to receive the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military’s highest award for valor, for downing four Soviet-flown MiGs during the Korean War.

Williams received the news from the Commander-in-Chief himself, President Donald Trump, earlier in the week.

On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams was flying an F9F-5 Panther over the Sea of Japan alongside three fellow aviators when they encountered seven Soviet MiG-15s from Vladivostok. Two U.S. planes were ordered back to the carrier USS Oriskany, leaving Williams and his wingman to confront the MiGs.

During a 35-minute engagement, considered the longest dogfight in U.S. military history, Williams shot down three MiGs and damaged a fourth, which later crashed.

His plane was struck by a 37mm cannon round, riddling it with more than 250 shrapnel holes. Despite the damage, he returned safely to Oriskany. The U.S. government later confirmed that the MiGs were Soviet aircraft, directed by ground controllers.

According to TWZ, Williams’ heroism was long overlooked because of the Soviet Union’s unofficial role in the conflict, but a sustained campaign has finally recognized his skill and bravery. In 2023, the retired Navy captain was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions.

Meet naval aviation and Korean War hero Capt. E. Royce Williams. Four downed MiG-15s in 35 minutes, now a Navy Cross recipient.
He truly has the right stuff.
#navalaviation #koreanwar #hero
Read all about it: https://t.co/dn8qqMNJlH pic.twitter.com/CYylyCPrNB

— U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) January 23, 2023

The legislation sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa authorized Trump to award Williams the Medal of Honor.

“My friend, constituent, and hero Royce Williams is 100 years young, a Top Gun pilot like no other, and an American hero for all time,” Issa said in a statement.

“The heroism and valor he demonstrated for more than 35 harrowing minutes almost 70 years ago in the skies over the North Pacific and the coast of North Korea unquestionably saved the lives of his fellow pilots, shipmates, and crew. His story is one for the ages and it now has its rightful chapter as Royce receives the Medal of Honor.”

Williams told Task & Purpose in June that he was honored by efforts to have his award upgraded to the Medal of Honor. When asked how he managed to shoot down four Soviet MiGs during the 1952 dogfight, he said, “I have a God that did it for me.”