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Korean War
Elmer Royce Williams
Lieutenant · U.S. Navy
Fighter Squadron 781, USS Oriskany
18 November 1952 · skies over North Korea, from USS Oriskany
- Branch
- U.S. Navy
- Era
- Korean War
- Home state
- South Dakota
- Action
- skies over North Korea, from USS Oriskany
The citation
Official citation
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, at the Hall of Heroes induction on 25 February 2026, described the action in these words: “On November 18, 1952, flying from USS Oriskany and outnumbered in the skies over North Korea, he chose to engage to protect the ships of Task Force 77 and the Sailors aboard them. In a 35-minute dogfight, he shot down three MiG-15s and severely damaged a fourth one. For decades, much of this story remained classified, but the facts never changed. His courage, airmanship, and devotion to duty saved lives and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service.” The Navy news release does not print a separate full citation.