A 100-year-old retired military pilot from Escondido is receiving a medal of honor

President Trump honored two veterans during his State of the Union address, including 100-year-old veteran Royce Williams of Escondido, who survived what is believed to be the longest battle in military history.

The former Navy fighter pilot, who sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the Capitol during her presidential address Tuesday night, flew more than 220 missions in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Trump called Williams a “living legend” before describing his wartime heroes.

“In the sky over Korea in 1952, Royce was in the fight of a lifetime, the legendary dog ​​fight,” Trump said. “Flying under the storm clouds, his squadron was attacked by seven Soviet warplanes.”

Although outnumbered, Williams brought down four jet fighters as his plane was hit more than 260 times and was seriously injured.

The incident was kept secret because the Soviet Union was not officially a belligerent in the Korean War, and American officials feared that if the air war became known, it would force the Soviets to officially enter the war.

Williams didn’t talk about the details of the encounter — even with family members — until records about the dogfight were declassified in 2002.

“His story was a secret for more than 50 years. He didn’t even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew and grew,” Trump said. “Tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain has received the recognition he deserves.”

Trump then announced that Williams would receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration. Melania Trump placed a medal with a blue ribbon around her neck.

Williams was a guest of Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Bonsall), a veteran as well.

“My friend, accomplice, and lifelong hero Royce Williams is a Top Gun pilot like no other, a longtime American hero, and now, he has received the highest honor in the country,” Issa said in a statement. “It’s been done for many years, but it’s my right to fight all these years so that Royce gets the respect he didn’t want, but what he deserved.”

Trump also announced that the Medal of Honor will be awarded to Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, an Army helicopter pilot who was seriously injured in the 2026 raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

“When we were preparing to go down, the enemy’s guns fired from all directions, and Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip. The bullet was one after the other, he saw four painful shots that broke his leg into many pieces,” said Trump.

Despite gunshot wounds to his legs, blood pouring from the helicopter he was piloting, “Eric directed his helicopter with all these lives and souls to engage the enemy and allowed his guns to eliminate the threat, turned the helicopter around so the gunners could take care of business, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers in what would have been a major enemy disaster,” Trump said.

Trump added, “Chief Warrant Officer Slover is still recovering from his serious injuries, but I’m happy to say he’s here tonight with his wife, Amy. Eric and Amy, thank you.”

Slover, with the help of a footman, entered the gallery. “Out of respect for Eric’s actions beyond expectation,” Trump said, “I would now like to ask Gen. Jonathan Braga to present Chief Warrant Officer Slover with our nation’s highest military award.”

Trump added that he also hopes that one day he will receive a medal of honor.

“But I was informed that I’m not allowed to give it to myself,” Trump said. “But if they ever open that law, I’ll be with you one day.”