For more than 50 years, Navy pilot Royce Williams couldn't talk about his epic Korean War dogfight with seven Soviet fighter jets. He'd been sworn to secrecy because of Cold War sensitivities, and all mention of the battle was scrubbed from the official records.
Now the 97-year-old Escondido resident is going to receive the Navy Cross, the second-highest award for combat valor. He said Friday afternoon that he's pleased to get the recognition.