CARLSBAD — Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Royce Williams returned home Thursday to a hero’s welcome at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, days after receiving the Medal of Honor during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.
More than 200 veterans, elected officials, family members and supporters gathered on the airport tarmac as the 100-year-old Korean War veteran stepped off a private White House aircraft, greeted by applause, handmade banners, American flags and a military band as part of a red-carpet reception organized by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall.
Issa helped lead the yearslong effort to secure the nation’s highest military honor for Williams. Also in attendance were Vista Mayor John Franklin, San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, and Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn.
Williams received the Medal of Honor on Tuesday in a surprise presentation during the State of the Union, when First Lady Melania Trump placed the medal around his neck — the first time the award has been presented during the annual address.
Williams, an Escondido resident, is the oldest living veteran to receive the decoration.
“I don’t know how much longer I’m going to live, but I’m going to remember that forever,” Williams told CBS8. “It was a blessed event.”
Williams was honored for his actions on Nov. 18, 1952, during the Korean War while flying a single-seat F9F Panther from the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany. During a combat air patrol near the Yalu River, Williams was attacked by seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets.
Outnumbered and flying what was considered an inferior aircraft, Williams fought alone for more than 35 minutes, shooting down four enemy jets before safely returning to his carrier in an aircraft later found to have sustained more than 250 bullet holes.
The dogfight remained classified for decades because of the Soviet Union’s covert involvement in the conflict, and Williams was ordered not to discuss the encounter, even with family members. His actions were initially recognized with a Silver Star, later upgraded to the Navy Cross in 2023, before Congress authorized the Medal of Honor last year.
Speaking to the crowd Thursday, Williams thanked supporters for the decades of advocacy that ultimately led to the recognition.
“I have backing out here among a lot of smiling faces, and I want you to know I appreciate it,” he said.
Friends and fellow veterans described the homecoming as long overdue recognition for one of the most extraordinary aerial combat engagements of the Cold War era. The award was the culmination of a grassroots campaign, Operation Just Reward, led by former Navy officer Steve Lewandowski.
Working with fellow veterans, lawmakers and military leaders, Lewandowski and supporters spent years gathering documentation, building congressional backing and lobbying to waive statutory time limits.
The effort ultimately helped secure authorization in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, clearing the final legal hurdle for the president to bestow the honor more than seven decades after Williams’ combat mission.
“After all these years and hundreds of hours of effort by a lot of people — countless starts and stops — we are just so elated that Operation Just Reward is accomplishing its goal to get a great American hero the recognition he deserves,” Lewandowski previously told The Coast News.
Williams is expected to continue a series of celebrations in the coming weeks ahead of his 101st birthday in April, including a ceremony at the USS Midway in San Diego.
