Sixty-eight years ago, U.S. Navy pilot Royce Williams survived what is perhaps the longest aerial dogfight in U.S. military history. He would face seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets during one 35-minute battle. After the engagement, military leaders were concerned the incident might mark a devastating increase of tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union. Williams was ordered to keep silent about the events of November 18, 1952.
Today, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds and other supporters are lobbying for Williams, a former South Dakotan, to be honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor.