Brilliant! This NYC gal followed the air war taking place over the '... Sea of Japan off the east coast of Korea above the Main Line of Resistance, ….' I was able to stay with Lieutenant E. Royce Williams and excited beyond imagining that here I was at my computer but in reality in the air with the Oriskany’s Air Group 102. Here's to '... Royce Williams who accomplished what no other American fighter pilot would ever accomplish: shoot down four MiG-15s in one fight' and to TCinLA who took me on the flight of my life! If I got a few details wrong, forgive me.. There is no mistaking that TC relayed this story exactly as it needed to be seen and felt.
Glad to see he’ll be on hand for the formal correction of the record. A brilliant feat of airmanship. Also, a reminder of the toughness of Grumman planes.
The Panther had wonderful lines as well. I know some people favor the Cougar and the swept wings, but the straight wings of the Panther, oddly balanced by the tip tanks, made for a beautiful airplane.
Somehow my comment seems not to have made it. Here goes and approximation: What a narrative. What prose. What a pilot! Thanks for the tribute to your friend and for the fact that now the truth about his skill and heroic action can be told---with appropriate recognition. You tell the stories and keep watch over memories. Thanks.
yeah, I LOVE when you do this. and it's quite a story. do you think the Navy's decision to finally acknowledge the whole thing has anything to do with "current events?"
That is a helluv'an exciting tale. I never would have known about it had I not signed up for your substack to get your take on politics. I'm so glad Captain Royce lived long enough to see himself celebrated for his amazing heroics. And I hope he gets at least a handful more years to bask in the glory.
He's doing pretty good for a guy who fell down two years ago at 95 and ended up with a new hip. Royce is so competitive that after he retired, he became a world class Bonsai gardener. Walking into his backyard is to be dumbstruck at what awaits.
What an exciting recap of an heroic event that will finally be recognized. Thank you for sharing this. Congratulations to all of the heroic men involved! Glad the true story is finally released!
Thanks for this, TC! My dad, who passed away this past year one day before his 99th birthday, was also in this "conflict" as a Navy man aboard ship, though right now I cannot remember which one. Be that as it may, I really appreciate that this man is finally getting the recognition he deserves, thanks to all the people who helped it get to this point. How exciting it would be to see his eyes light up telling the true story to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Intended or not, this was not only true bravery, but agility and some extremely quick thinking all the way through. 263 hits...wow...
What a great tale! Your writing had us there in the clouds and above with these brave aviators, who are finally getting the recognition they deserve! I didn't understand any of the technical stuff, but your telling took me along for a wild ride!
Excellent account! I am so glad that the record has now been set straight. My congratulations to Capt. Williams. I am also glad for the training in aerial gunnery that our pilots received and for the rugged build of the F9F's. When my father returned from his second Korea tour commanding VF-112 Panthers (Jan.-July 1952), he wrote a letter to Grumman thanking them for building aircraft that brought all of his pilots home alive.
I remember the first aircraft I sat in when I was 5 years old in December 1951. Dad drove my brother and I out to the airfield in San Diego, and we walked out to a Panther. He climbed in and a crewman hoisted us one at a time onto his lap. I always will wonder what his thoughts were as he was about to leave for his 7 month combat tour.
Nice. You do this stuff good.
Thank you, sir!
Brilliant! This NYC gal followed the air war taking place over the '... Sea of Japan off the east coast of Korea above the Main Line of Resistance, ….' I was able to stay with Lieutenant E. Royce Williams and excited beyond imagining that here I was at my computer but in reality in the air with the Oriskany’s Air Group 102. Here's to '... Royce Williams who accomplished what no other American fighter pilot would ever accomplish: shoot down four MiG-15s in one fight' and to TCinLA who took me on the flight of my life! If I got a few details wrong, forgive me.. There is no mistaking that TC relayed this story exactly as it needed to be seen and felt.
Damn. I was all ready to go to bed, now my adrenaline’s pumping. Well done, and congratulations to your friend. Great writing.
Seriously! That beat the stupid TV show we just finished watching.
🤣🤣🤣
Glad to see he’ll be on hand for the formal correction of the record. A brilliant feat of airmanship. Also, a reminder of the toughness of Grumman planes.
The Panther had wonderful lines as well. I know some people favor the Cougar and the swept wings, but the straight wings of the Panther, oddly balanced by the tip tanks, made for a beautiful airplane.
It's definitely one of my favorite jets. I even saw the Blue Angels in Panthers, their last season. I was 10.
Somehow my comment seems not to have made it. Here goes and approximation: What a narrative. What prose. What a pilot! Thanks for the tribute to your friend and for the fact that now the truth about his skill and heroic action can be told---with appropriate recognition. You tell the stories and keep watch over memories. Thanks.
yeah, I LOVE when you do this. and it's quite a story. do you think the Navy's decision to finally acknowledge the whole thing has anything to do with "current events?"
I think getting a couple Senators on the case helped. As to "current events," maybe.
Same thoughts on “ current events”…And thank you,TC!,for always supporting your friend(s).
That is a helluv'an exciting tale. I never would have known about it had I not signed up for your substack to get your take on politics. I'm so glad Captain Royce lived long enough to see himself celebrated for his amazing heroics. And I hope he gets at least a handful more years to bask in the glory.
He's doing pretty good for a guy who fell down two years ago at 95 and ended up with a new hip. Royce is so competitive that after he retired, he became a world class Bonsai gardener. Walking into his backyard is to be dumbstruck at what awaits.
World class bonsai gardener is very impressive. As is falling at that age and getting up is impressive as well.
Beginning to end, the many pieces of this story are unbelievably improbable. TCinLA moves mountains with dogged perseverance.
Not fighting as we should for fear of the Russians.....like avoiding Haiphong during the Airwar in Vietnam.
Wow. Thrilling and sizzlin’, TC.
“Better late than never.” Some heroics are recognized as such. It’s a truth prevails thing. So proud of Captain Williams.
🗽
Great story TC and an outstanding ending.
What an exciting recap of an heroic event that will finally be recognized. Thank you for sharing this. Congratulations to all of the heroic men involved! Glad the true story is finally released!
Thanks for this, TC! My dad, who passed away this past year one day before his 99th birthday, was also in this "conflict" as a Navy man aboard ship, though right now I cannot remember which one. Be that as it may, I really appreciate that this man is finally getting the recognition he deserves, thanks to all the people who helped it get to this point. How exciting it would be to see his eyes light up telling the true story to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Intended or not, this was not only true bravery, but agility and some extremely quick thinking all the way through. 263 hits...wow...
WOW!!! Just plain ole WOW!!! I felt like I was there. And glad that Captain Royce is finally getting his due.
What a great tale! Your writing had us there in the clouds and above with these brave aviators, who are finally getting the recognition they deserve! I didn't understand any of the technical stuff, but your telling took me along for a wild ride!
Excellent account! I am so glad that the record has now been set straight. My congratulations to Capt. Williams. I am also glad for the training in aerial gunnery that our pilots received and for the rugged build of the F9F's. When my father returned from his second Korea tour commanding VF-112 Panthers (Jan.-July 1952), he wrote a letter to Grumman thanking them for building aircraft that brought all of his pilots home alive.
I remember the first aircraft I sat in when I was 5 years old in December 1951. Dad drove my brother and I out to the airfield in San Diego, and we walked out to a Panther. He climbed in and a crewman hoisted us one at a time onto his lap. I always will wonder what his thoughts were as he was about to leave for his 7 month combat tour.