00:00Tonight we've celebrated many truly extraordinary American patriots, but there is one last living legend to honor before we go.
00:08He is one more heroic American aviator, Navy fighter pilot.
00:15Royce Williams served in World War II Korea, Vietnam flying more than 220 missions.
00:22In disguise over Korea in 1952, Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime, legendary dogfight, flying through blizzard conditions.
00:34His squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.
00:38It was his first aerial combat of the war, and despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned, Royce led the takedown
00:45of four enemy jets and almost destroyed the others,
00:50vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane and being seriously hurt.
00:58His story was secret for over 50 years. He didn't even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew
01:04and grew.
01:06But tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
01:14He was alleged long before this evening.
01:18Royce, please stand up, and I will ask the First Lady of the United States to present Captain Royce Williams
01:25with his Congressional Medal of Honor.
03:37Thank you, Royce.
03:38Thank you, Eric.
03:40I've always wanted the congressional
03:42medal of honor, but I was informed
03:44I'm not allowed to give it to myself, and I
03:46wouldn't know why I'd be taking it, but
03:48if they ever open up that law, I will be there
03:51with you someday.
03:53But, you know, that's our highest honor,
03:55congressional medal of honor, and that's a big
03:57thing, and it's an honor to be in the same room
04:00with you.
04:00Thank you both very much, Eric.
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