After-action inspections found 263 bullet holes in his F9F-5 Panther.
Legendary Navy aviator Royce Williams, who shot down four Soviet MiG-15 fighters in 1952, is the inspiration for legislation that would make it easier for troops and veterans to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Photos via the U.S. Naval Institute and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
More than 70 years after he took part in the longest dogfight in Navy history, scoring four aerial victories, Royce Williams might finally get the Medal of Honor.
Over the weekend, Congress released the text for the compromise National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy bill outlining spending plans and goals. This year, it is a record $901 billion. Nestled into the large defense appropriations bill is Sec. 591, which would upgrade Williams’ Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor for “acts of valor during the Korean War.”
Those acts involve taking on seven Soviet MiG-15s in a 35-minute dogfight almost single handedly, in a battle that was kept under wraps for years despite Williams’ achievements.
On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams — then a Navy lieutenant flying in his Grumman F9F-5 Panther for his second mission that day — was with three other aviators over the Sea of Japan when seven Soviet Air Force fighter planes emerged.
Two of the American planes had to return to their ships due to mechanical issues, leaving just Williams and his wingman in the skies as the Soviets closed in. As they flew by, Williams let out a burst of his F9F’s guns, scoring a hit. One MiG went down, with Williams’ wingman breaking off to chase it. Royce Williams was now alone, against six Soviet pilots in jets that were more advanced than his.
Over the course of 35 minutes, Williams banked and weaved his Panther, trying to avoid getting in the MiGs’ sights. He quickly downed a second Soviet jet, and kept using his maneuverability to line up passing shots with his limited ammo. He took out a third. Then he heavily damaged another that was eventually lost.
“In the moment I was a fighter pilot doing my job,” Williams told Task & Purpose in 2022. “I was only shooting what I had.”
Eventually, he ran out of ammunition and was forced to break off. He flew back to the Navy task force — which fired on him at first, mistaking him for the many more Soviet planes that had outnumbered him — and managed to land. After-action inspections found 263 bullet holes in his Panther. Somehow, Williams and the plane survived.
For his actions in the wild dogfight that day, Williams was awarded a Silver Star. But his actions were covered up — and his official victories listed as downing one enemy plane and damaging another — over fears it could heighten U.S.-Soviet tensions.
So for the rest of his career, which included actions in Vietnam and commanding a ship, his record stayed that way, the truth kept hidden. It was only in the 21st century that retired Capt. Williams’ story came out.
For more than a decade, there has been a push to get Williams the Medal of Honor, with backers including retired Rear Adm. Doniphan Shelton and members of Congress.
Three years ago, in December 2022, then-Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro upgraded his Silver Star to a Navy Cross, saying that Williams “clearly distinguished himself during a high-risk mission and deserve[s] proper recognition.” Williams received the award in January 2023.
The text in this year’s defense spending bill would authorize awarding Williams, who is now 100, the Medal of Honor and waive any time limitations on presenting him with the award.
Washing the sleep from his eyes, the boy was excited. On mornings like this, unlike school days, he didn’t mind getting up early. No sir, today he was going on a special trip with his dad. After brushing his teeth and combing his hair, the freckle-faced boy slipped into Wrangler jeans and a plaid shirt with pearl snaps. Last came his boots and cowboy hat, just like dads.
His boot heels clip-clopped against the hardwood floors, skipping his way to the kitchen. Grinning, he smelled the aroma of frying bacon mingled with cigarette smoke.
He loved days like this when it was just him and Dad getting ready for some kind of adventure or fun outing. Flipping the bacon with a fork, his dad asked, “You ready to learn something about Pancho Villa?” The excited boy responded, “Yes, sir!”
With the bacon done, his dad cracked four eggs into the grease as toast popped from the toaster. “Grab that toast and put in two more slices. These eggs should be finished so we can eat,” he said.
Covered supply wagon used in Mexico on Villa manhunt.
The Trip
Sitting in the warm pick-up truck with a full belly and anticipation surging through his body, the boy noticed they were headed south as Hank Williams played on the radio. “It’s only a half hour drive to get there,” his dad told him.
Pulling into a small village, he saw a small building. It was a museum. The boy’s eyes widened when he spotted the 3-inch artillery piece, along with an old wagon and some type of armored vehicle sitting out front. For a 10-year-old, it didn’t get any better.
“Son, I’m going to tell you the historical relevance of this place. You may not appreciate it now or quite understand it, but you will each time you visit here. Let me tell you how it all started …”
Looking down the barrel of the 3” gun
Battle of Columbus
The Battle of Columbus, also known as the Columbus Raid or The Burning of Columbus, began in the early hours of March 9, 1916, by the remaining soldiers of Pancho Villa’s Division of the North.
The small town was three miles north of the Mexican border. The raid grew to a full-scale battle between the U.S. Army, joined by some townsfolk, against the Villistas. Villa’s men were driven back by the bravery and tenacity of the 13th Cavalry Regiment stationed there.
This surprise attack infuriated Americans. It caused a punitive military reaction, further complicating Mexican-American political relations. President Woodrow Wilson responded by sending General John “Blackjack” Pershing and his troops into Mexico. Called the “Punitive Expedition,” they invaded Mexico but failed to capture Villa.
Book on Pancho Villa given to Tank from Bart.
Pancho Villa with his motorcycle.
Background
Pancho Villa was no fan of Mexican President Venustiano Carranza, fighting against him and his Army whenever possible. During the Mexican Revolution, Villa sustained his greatest defeat during the 1915 Battle of Celaya.
Villa’s Army, The Division of the North, was now disorganized, wandering around northern Mexico, short on food, military supplies, money and munitions. To continue his war of opposition against Carranza, Villa figured raiding Columbus, New Mexico would be a good way to obtain needed supplies.
Villa planned the attack, camping his army of an estimated 1,500 horsemen outside of Palomas on the border three miles south of Columbus. The area was populated by about 300 Americans and about as many Mexicans, which fled north from the advancing Villistas.
Villa sent spies into Columbus before the raid and they mistakenly told him only 30 troops were in town. In reality, there were 12 officers with over 340 troops from the 13th Cavalry, of which 270 were combat troops. On the night of the attack, half the men were on patrol or other assignments.
Pancho in a suite. Notice the double print bulge under coat?
The Attack
Villa divided his force into two columns, most approaching town on foot, launching a two-pronged attack at 4:15 a.m. on March 9. When the Villistas entered Columbus from the west and southeast shouting, “Viva Villa! Viva Mexico!” and other phrases, the town’s people, along with most of the garrison, were asleep. They woke to an army of Villistas burning their buildings and looting their homes.
McClellan saddles of cavalry.
Battle Stations
Despite being taken by surprise, the Americans quickly recovered. Soon after the attack, 2nd Lt. John P. Lucas, commanding the 13th Cavalry’s machine gun quarters organized a hasty defense around the camp’s guard tent, where the machine guns were kept under lock, with two men and a Hotchkiss M1909 Benet-Mercie machine gun.
Lucas was soon joined by the remainder of his unit and 30 troopers armed with armed with M1903 Springfield rifles, led by 2nd Lt. Horace Stringfellow, Jr. The troop’s four machine guns fired over 5,000 rounds apiece during a 90-minute fight, their targets illuminated by the fires from burning buildings. In addition, many of the townspeople were armed with rifles and shotguns.
Villa’s men looted and burned several houses and commercial buildings while fighting civilians defending their homes. It’s not confirmed if Villa was with the actual raiding party at any time. Villa and his commanders took up position on Cootes Hill overlooking Columbus. From this location, they could observe the battle while some of Villa’s men acted as sharpshooters.
Aftermath
The raid left 18 Americans dead, both civilian and enlisted personnel. Outraged, President Wilson ordered the U.S. Army, led by General Pershing to hunt down Pancho Villa. National Guard units from all over the United States were called up.
By the end of August 1916, over 100,000 troops were on the border. The Army used Curtiss Jenny airplanes for reconnaissance, along with trucks carrying supplies, both firsts for the Army, during the operation. They scoured portions of northern Mexico for six months for Villa to no avail.
The Jenny airplane was used for reconnaissance in finding Poncho Villa.
Significance
With the use of Jenny airplanes, the raid is sometimes referred to as the birthplace of the U.S. Air Force. The raid resulted in the deaths of 70-75 Raiders, 10 Americans and eight soldiers. It also marked one of the few times foreign forces attacked the United States.
Hotchkiss M1909 Benet-Mercie machine gun.
Cootes Hill plaque.
Real Time
The boy listened intently as his dad told him the history, stories about the men and Pancho Villa. They’d visit regularly after reading more about the raid and Pancho Villa himself. Naturally, they’d talk about the guns used by the men involved.
There’s a hill near the barracks providing a nice view into Mexico. The boy and his dad always climbed it, finishing their visit, looking south for signs of Pancho. It was the same hill from which Villa and his men watched the raid.
I first visited Pancho Villa State Park about 10 years ago when the very boy took me and Doc Barranti.
The boy, now grown, was Bart Skelton — Skeeter Skelton’s son. It made the park visit more personal and interesting with Bart as our tour guide sharing his stories with us. After the tour, we climbed Cootes Hill, just as Bart always did, only now he shared the experience with Doc and me.
Southwest history is rich with stories like this one. Stories that entertain while teaching the lessons of rugged men living dangerous lives. They’re especially good when shared with a good amigo leading the way. Thanks for everything, Bart.
Welsh policeman Ernest Rollings was one of millions of men who enlisted for active duty in #WorldWarI
Thirteen years after the guns fell silent, he was hailed as The Man Who Ended The War.
During the Battle of Amiens in 1918, Lieutenant Rollings led a daring armoured cars raid 10 miles behind enemy lines. He and his men killed many Germans before they reached a farmhouse in the village of Framerville that was being used as an enemy base.
Rollings burst in to find the occupants had just fled, leaving a pile of hastily-torn documents.Rollings, who gathered up the papers, received a bar to his Military Cross for his bravery during the raid.
After the war, he returned to his career in the police service. Then in 1931, the Sunday Express reported that the papers recovered in Framerville contained detailed plans of all the gun posts, troop placements and defensive points along the seemingly impregnable Hindenburg Line.
The paper revealed that this intelligence and the subsequent Allied offensive probably shortened the war by six months and saved 500,000 lives.
Until then, the incredible importance of the papers had been unknown to the public and to the man who recovered them.
Neath police sergeant Ernest Rollings was tracked down by reporters and hailed in newspaper headlines as The Man Who Ended The War. At last, the extraordinary effects of his gallantry had been revealed.
My buddy Sario Caravalho is a fascinating guy. Born and raised in Hawaii, he was one of the US Army’s first Green Berets. Sario entered the Army in 1955 and went straight into Special Forces from basic training.
Back then experienced senior NCOs taught SF tactics via O.J.T. in the absence of a formal school. Sario subsequently left the Army in 1976 after three combat tours in Vietnam. His remarkable career spanned the entire evolution of modern American special operations.
I met Major Sario Caravalho at a local veteran’s breakfast. Sometimes some of the most amazing folks live right down the road.
Covert Op into Iran
Sario’s first operation downrange was a mission into Iran to recover the bodies of the aircrew of a downed American spy plane in 1962.
CPT Larry Thorne commanded his part of that remarkable op. CPT Thorne fought for Finland and then Germany against the Russians during WW2 before smuggling himself into the US and joining the US Army. He was later killed in action in Vietnam.
CPT Thorne is the only member of the Waffen SS buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Here’s his incredible story. CPT Thorne drafted Sario’s letter of recommendation to Officer Candidate School. In 1964, Sario found himself a young SF lieutenant in one of the first contingents deployed to Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group.
Welcome to the Jungle Sario
Those first Southeast Asian operations were TDY—temporary duty- by the Green Berets of the 1st SF Group based in Okinawa. Nobody expected that we would be there for ten years and lose 58,000 great Americans along the way. Like the rest of the Army, SF figured Vietnam out as they went along.
American forces first met the AK-47 rifle in the jungles of Vietnam.
Sario’s first trip downrange in Vietnam had him serving on one of nine A-teams operating as the advanced contingent of the 5th SF Group.
While operating out of the An Khe SF camp, Sario and his indigenous troops captured a handful of SKS and AK-47 rifles after defeating an NVA (North Vietnamese Army) unit in battle. General Westmoreland personally flew in afterward with his entourage to inspect these radical new weapons.
The AK-47 was a paradigm-shifting infantry weapon. Capturing a few in the early days of Vietnam was a big deal.
The Kalashnikov assault rifle is the most-produced firearm in human history and is ubiquitous today. Back in the early sixties, however, these captured examples were both exotic and unfamiliar.
When General Westmoreland climbed back into his helicopter, his staff pogues took the captured guns with them. Sario still seems a wee bit bitter about that.
Turning Up the Heat
Sario worked out of the SF camp at An Khe before the 1st Cav showed up and blew the neighborhood to hell. He was then posted to Tan Linh east of Saigon and kept occupied humping the boonies alongside ARVN and Montagnard forces.
Given the remote nature of the place, resupply was via Air Force C-123 aircraft. F-4 Phantoms flying close air support would roll in so low over their camp to drop Snakeye bombs and napalm outside the perimeter that their jet wash frequently blew the tents down.
With nine months of his one-year combat tour in the bag, Sario began to imagine the sweet smell of home. A mere three more months, and he would be on that freedom bird headed back to the World.
Then LTC Hale, the C-Team commander, broke the news that the SF XO at an obscure little outpost called Duc Co had been KIA (Killed In Action). The beleaguered SF contingent there was surrounded and cut off. For his sins and with three months left in-country, Sario climbed aboard a Huey headed for Duc Co.
The Lay of the Land
This is a shot from inside the besieged SF camp at Duc Co. Sario is standing to the left of the guy with the bazooka.
A typical SF contingent for a place like Duc Co would be two officers and maybe ten enlisted soldiers along with a small Vietnamese SF team. The proper muscle came from between 100 and 200 indigenous Montagnards, a few crew-served weapons, and a whole lot of air support.
Sario said that during his first tour, they had access to most any imaginable personal weapons, but that the M-16 had not yet been fielded in theater. He said they had M1s, M2 carbines, M14s, Grease Guns, BARs, and M1919A4 and A6 belt-fed machineguns in abundance.
For serious work, the camp was equipped with a single 4.2-inch mortar as well as a brace of the smaller 81mm sort. They also had a 57mm recoilless rifle and a WW2-vintage 3.5-inch bazooka. When it was time to make his grand entrance at his new posting, the Army delivered Sario in style.
The One Man Air Assault
Early Huey Hog gunships were exceptionally effective for close air support.
Sario Caravalho made his way to Duc Co as the sole passenger in a UH-1 Huey Slick escorted by a pair of armed Huey gunships. The gunships slathered the surrounding area with rocket and minigun fire to ensure that the Slick could get in without undue mischief.
When the Slick touched down, out stepped Sario all by his lonesome. He was greeted by the SF Team Sergeant as mortar rounds fell liberally all around. It was obvious this was going to be a long three months.
Sario’s three air assault aircraft were in and out immediately. However, not everyone was so fortunate. A few days later, a Huey attempting to bring in ammo and supplies went down close enough to the camp to salvage.
Sario harvested both M-60 door guns and repurposed them for perimeter defense. At the time, the M60 was brand new and difficult to acquire in Vietnam. Compared to their WW2-vintage M1919A4 Brownings, the new Sixties were both more portable and more versatile. Sario put the two liberated pigs to good use until some passing aviator laid claim to them again and ran off with the weapons.
This is MAJ Norman Schwarzkopf carrying one of his injured Vietnamese airborne soldiers to safety in Vietnam. Note his M1A1 paratrooper carbine.Schwarzkopf went on to command all Allied forces during the First Gulf War.
Duc Co was only a couple of clicks from the Cambodian border. Extra supplies arrived solely by air. While there, Sario and his team leader worked with Major Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf. Schwarzkopf was the US advisor to a South Vietnamese airborne brigade.
The Vietnamese paratroopers had the mission to relieve the pressure around Duc Co. Schwarzkopf eventually went on to become the supreme commander of Allied forces during Operation Desert Storm.
Now Things Get Real For Sario
The siege of Duc Co took place immediately before the infamous battle of the Ia Drang Valley that was memorialized in the Hal Moore book We Were Soldiers Once, and Young. Mel Gibson made a fine movie out of it. At some point, the NVA decided that they simply must have Duc Co. Then it was game on.
US Army Special Forces had access to Uzi submachine guns beginning early in the Vietnam War.
Relentless NVA pressure had closed the unimproved dirt strip that was used by the C-123s to resupply Duc Co. In desperation, an SF officer named MAJ Curt Terry went looking for Air Force pilots crazy enough to fly supplies and ammunition into the beleaguered SF camp. The two pilots he found agreed on the condition that MAJ Terry tag along to prove he had skin in the game. Terry climbed aboard the big twin-engine cargo plane packing an Uzi submachine gun.
When Sario Caravalho first met MAJ Terry it was to be castigated for walking on some precious and holy Army grass someplace. However, the two eventually became close while serving together downrange. MAJ Terry was a pretty remarkable man.
Uzi Versus .51-cal
The C-123 Provider was both fat and slow. However, it had excellent short-field characteristics and did yeomen’s duty supporting remote American military outposts in Vietnam.
When the lumbering C-123 touched down, the surrounding NVA opened up with everything they had. This included at least one 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun as well as several mortars. With the C-123 on the ground getting shot up worse by the minute, MAJ Terry stepped out onto the runway to try to make sense of the chaos.
The details have been muddied by the passage of time. Apparently, MAJ Terry unlimbered his Uzi and, alongside the accumulated Montagnards, ultimately charged through and neutralized the big NVA gun. The C-123 ultimately made it off the ground and safely back to Saigon despite being badly perforated.
In the process, they also managed to evacuate some of the wounded from the airborne brigade. Thanks to Terry and these brass-balled wingnuts, the SF camp at Duc Co also got enough beans and bullets to continue the fight.
Improvise, Adapt, Overcome…
Sario and his indigenous troops repurposed a damaged M48 tank into a sort of improvised pillbox.
Relief of the surrounded SF came in the form of ARVN airborne forces and then, later, South Vietnamese Marines. The Marines brought along an M48 tank that was ultimately knocked out and had to be abandoned.
Sario and his buddies eventually dragged the enormous armored vehicle into the camp using Deuce and a Half trucks and set it up as a stationary pillbox. In this capacity, the liberated tank helped keep the relentless NVA at bay for the rest of Sario’s time at Duc Co.
When his three months were up, LT Sario Caravalho duly headed home to reacquaint himself with his family. Back then, Special Forces, like Aviation, was not yet its own Army branch. Commissioned officers serving as either Green Berets or aviators would rotate back through their assigned branches as needed for career development. On paper at least, Sario was still a grunt.
Take 2
Sario’s second tour downrange was as company commander of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion of the 20th Infantry (11th Infantry Brigade) of the Americal Division. After a successful company command in combat, Sario rotated home once more to catch his breath.
He later did a third combat tour, again with SF. This time he was assigned to MACV (Military Assistance Command—Vietnam). Sario returned home from his MACV posting when the war ended.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
I jumped T10 parachutes myself back in the day. They were fairly crude in comparison to more modern fare. Controlling the T10 involved nothing more than grabbing a handful of risers and tugging.
Military service in the combat arms, particularly during wartime, is a young man’s game. Sario ultimately left the Army with 65 parachute jumps. On his first night jump, he landed backward in the dark underneath a T10 parachute.
Relative to the newer canopies in use today, the T10 was fairly primitive. Sario dislocated his shoulder and wrenched his back, injuries that would nag him to this day.
Sario is 86 years old today, though he appears twenty years younger. He is active, sharp, and opinionated, as one might expect from a seasoned special operator. Despite having left the Army in 1976, Sario still carries himself like a soldier. He explained to me that, by 1970, the ARVNs were good. He was certain that the South could have won the war had the politicians left them alone to do so.
Mining for Heroes
Sario Caravalho is a quiet American hero. He served three combat tours downrange in Vietnam and then came home to raise his family.
I met Sario Caravalho when I attended a monthly veteran’s breakfast at Harmon’s restaurant in Paris, Mississippi. Sario, retired Army 1SG Justin Hill, and Mack Thweatt, the owner of Harmon’s, host the free vets’ event on the first Saturday of every month just because they are great Americans.
I got to know Sario because I happened to sit down beside him one Saturday over grits, hashbrowns, and some GI-style scrambled eggs.
America was once awash in legit heroes. Though he would push back against the characterization, my friend Major Sario Caravalho is counted among them. They can be a bit tougher to find these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there. Sometimes it is just a matter of sitting down at the right table.
Welsh policeman Ernest Rollings was one of millions of men who enlisted for active duty in 
