A campaign is ongoing to have the Medal of Honor awarded to a former U.S. Navy F9F-5 Panther pilot who defended his aircraft carrier from an attack by seven Soviet MiG-15s on Nov. 18, 1952.
Retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams had taken off from aircraft carrier USS Oriskany with three other Panthers, two had to return back to the ship, leaving Williams and his wingman to defend the carrier against the incoming MiGs.
During the dofight, which lasted more than 30 minutes, Williams was the only person attacking the other side as the guns on his wingman’s jet had jammed. He shot down a total of 4 aircraft with another one crashing on its way back to its base in Vladivostok.
His aircraft was so badly damaged that he could only pitch up and down. The jet also had to make a high speed landing to prevent stalling. The F9F was found with 263 holes afterwards.
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