Trump To Award Medal Of Honor To Capt. E. Royce Williams And Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis

President Trump will award the Medal of Honor to two service members: retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, whose daring 35-minute aerial confrontation with Soviet MiG-15s in 1952 was kept secret for decades, and Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, who died in 2013 while shielding a fellow soldier from a suicide bomber, a White House official told CBS News. The president personally called Williams and the family of the late Sgt. Ollis to notify them of the decision.

The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest military decoration. Since its creation during the Civil War, roughly 3,500 people have received the award.

Michael Ollis

Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Staten Island native, was killed in Afghanistan in 2013 after he put himself between a suicide bomber and Polish Army Lt. Karol Cierpica. According to Army accounts, insurgents attacked a base with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and fighters wearing suicide vests. After the blast, Ollis found the wounded Polish officer and began administering first aid. When an attacker approached, Ollis moved between the assailant and the officer; the bomber's vest detonated and Ollis was killed.

Ollis was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 2019. At the ceremony Gen. James McConville said, "Every generation has its heroes … Michael Ollis is one of ours." Ollis' parents, Bob and Linda Ollis, released a statement through a nonprofit in their son's name saying they were "extremely grateful," and that knowing Michael's sacrifice "has not been forgotten" fills them with pride and gratitude.

E. Royce Williams

Retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, now 100, is credited with shooting down four Soviet MiG-15 fighters during a 35-minute engagement off the coast of the Korean Peninsula in 1952—an action the U.S. military has described as the "longest dogfight in U.S. military history." Williams and another American pilot encountered a formation of seven Soviet jets; Williams said the Soviets opened fire and he returned fire in self-defense. During the confrontation he downed one MiG with help from the other American pilot and then shot down three more on his own while evading heavy enemy fire.

After his aircraft was hit, Williams returned to his carrier and executed a high-speed landing, later explaining that the extreme cold made ejection too dangerous. He was ordered to keep the engagement secret and did not speak about it for decades, even with his wife. The episode became public following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Williams received the Navy Cross three years ago.

Republican Rep. Darrell Issa of California, whose district includes Williams' home, championed a waiver of the usual five-year time limit for Medal of Honor consideration. Congress approved that waiver last year, allowing President Trump to present the medal. Issa said Williams "richly deserves" the recognition and credited the pilot's bravery with saving fellow pilots and shipmates.

These awards honor two very different kinds of heroism: a classified Cold War aerial engagement that protected fellow aviators, and an act of self-sacrifice that saved a comrade on the ground.

Note: All facts in this article are based on accounts from the U.S. military and statements reported by CBS News and other outlets.