Great Post:
A hero pilot, who shot down at least four Russian Migs in a classified dogfight at the height of the Cold War which saw his jet shot 263 times is to receive the Navy Cross.
Retired Navy Captain Royce Williams was sworn to secrecy for more than 50 years over fears that his battle against seven Soviet fighters could spark war with Russia.
Now the 97-year-old is free to tell his tale and is due to receive the Navy’s second highest award for combat valor on Friday at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
In a ferocious dogfight lasting half an hour, Williams downed at least four Migs despite his aircraft being so badly wounded he considered ejecting over hostile territory - an almost certain death sentence - as he limped back to the USS Oriskany aircraft carrier.
This line from the article is odd -- and seems clearly wrong.
He's apparently been free to tell his tale for years, since the incident was declassified in the early 2000s.
It's the awarding of the Navy Cross that has brought the story into the news today.
A truly awe-inspiring fear and a truly awe-inspiring man. They really DID make them tougher back in the day.