To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to E. Royce Williams for acts of valor during the Korean War.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1819
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-06T14:17:56Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (H.R. 1819) aims to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor—the highest U.S. military decoration for valor in combat—to E. Royce Williams for his extraordinary actions as a Navy lieutenant during an aerial battle in the Korean War on November 18, 1952. The legislation highlights Williams' solo engagement against Soviet MiG-15 fighters, emphasizing his bravery despite being outnumbered and outgunned.
Key Provisions
- Findings (Section 1): Congress outlines the historical context, including:
- Williams' participation in an airstrike near the Korea-Russia border, leading to a dogfight with seven Soviet MiG-15s in harsh weather over the Sea of Japan.
- After his flight leader and wingman withdrew due to mechanical issues, Williams alone pursued and shot down four (possibly five) MiG-15s using all his ammunition, setting a U.S. record for MiGs downed in a single mission.
- His damaged aircraft endured enemy and friendly fire during return, landing safely despite severe damage (263 holes) and high speed.
- The events were initially classified; Williams was credited with only one kill at the time and ordered not to discuss them. Later evidence from intercepted Soviet communications and post-Cold War Russian records confirmed higher kills.
- Williams' 30-year Navy career included over 220 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam; his Silver Star was upgraded to the Navy Cross in 2023.
- Authorization (Section 2):
- Waives statutory time limits (e.g., under 10 U.S.C. § 8298, which generally requires awards within 5 years of the act or 3 years of the act's discovery) to allow the President to award the Medal of Honor under 10 U.S.C. § 8291.
- Specifically recognizes Williams' actions on November 18, 1952.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a targeted waiver of time limitations for Medal of Honor awards, which are normally strict to ensure timely recognition. This exception applies only to Williams' case, overriding general rules in Title 10 of the U.S. Code without altering the broader framework for other awards.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and Navy may need to review and process the award, potentially involving historical verification. It could encourage similar reviews of classified Korean War actions but has limited operational effects.
- On Citizens: Honors a living veteran (Williams, retired in 1984), providing public recognition of overlooked heroism and inspiring military personnel and the public about Cold War-era sacrifices. No direct financial or regulatory impact on civilians.
- On International Relations: Acknowledges a 1952 incident involving Soviet pilots (now Russian territory context), based on declassified evidence, but is unlikely to strain current U.S.-Russia ties as it focuses on historical valor rather than geopolitical critique.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- E. Royce Williams: Primary beneficiary, receiving the nation's highest military honor.
- U.S. Navy and Department of Defense: Involved in award administration and historical records.
- Congress and the President: Congress authorizes; the President decides and awards, fulfilling legislative intent.
- Korean War Veterans and Historians: Indirectly benefits through validation of past events and potential precedent for other overlooked awards.
- National Security Agency (NSA): Referenced for its role in intercepting Soviet communications during the event.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The waiver sets a narrow precedent for bypassing time limits in exceptional, evidence-based cases of valor, ensuring the Medal of Honor process remains rigorous while allowing flexibility for declassified historical actions. No challenge to constitutional authority, as Congress has plenary power over military awards (U.S. Const. art. I, § 8).
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in regulating the armed forces and authorizing presidential actions.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan recognition of military heroism (introduced by Rep. Issa, referred to Armed Services Committee), potentially boosting support for veterans' issues. It addresses past secrecy around U.S.-Soviet clashes, promoting transparency without controversy, as the bill is non-partisan and focused on individual merit.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to E. Royce Williams for acts of valor during the Korean War. — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (5 pages)