Royce Williams, 101, who fought seven Soviet jets alone in 1952, is named an honorary citizen of Disneyland

Royce Williams joined the US Navy in 1943 and learned to fly. He flew in the Second World War, in Korea and in Vietnam, more than 220 combat missions in all.

18 November 1952

He took off from the carrier USS Oriskany, off the coast of Korea. Seven Soviet MiG-15 jets appeared. The Soviet Union was not officially in the war.

Williams fought them alone for 35 minutes. He shot down three and badly damaged a fourth. His own jet came back with more than 260 bullet holes in it.

Because the enemy pilots were Soviet, the whole thing was classified. He was told not to speak about it. The file stayed closed for more than 50 years.

You know you’re at war and your number one job is not protecting yourself, it’s accomplishing a mission.Royce Williams

The medal, 73 years late

He got a Silver Star in 1953. In 2023 it was upgraded to the Navy Cross. In February 2026, at 100, he was given the Medal of Honor at the State of the Union address.

Disneyland

Disneyland invited him for a day, with his friends and other retired military pilots. The park shared the photos on 8 October.

In front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Disneyland Ambassador, Michele Mary, named him an Honorary Citizen of Disneyland. Disney does not hand that title out often.

It meant something particular to him. During the Second World War, he said, Walt Disney was his hero, because of the cartoons and artwork the studio made for the troops.

That afternoon the park held its daily Flag Retreat on Main Street in his honour, with the Disneyland Band and the Dapper Dans. He was handed the folded flag.

Then they took him to Disney California Adventure for a ride on Soarin’, the one where you fly.