A true hero.....in many ways failed by his wingman. The thought that the wingman left him to follow an airplane he had damaged while 5 other enemy aircraft were in sight is against everything taught in air to air tactics. The reason you have a wingman is to protect the lead while he pursues the intended kill.
"The Captain turned the ship and lined up with me" Talk about on the fly calculations! Wind, Sea State, Drift Angle, ect. Now you know why they earn the big bucks!
When I was a kid I lived close to NAS Moffett Field In California. It was the early fifties and I had a front row seat to watching the F9F panther jets flying around the area. It was always a thrill to see those guys flying around the area. I have always had a special place for those jets as they were very cool for this young boy to watch perform. Many years later, as an enlisted sailor, I flew in and out of Moffett Field many times in an S2F.
Stone cold control of his situation and its solution. I, on the other hand, was public affairs officer aboard USS JFK and nearly had a bad case of the vapors when my typewriter ran out of ribbon. :)
That Was A Great Story, Man! Who Was The Captain Of The Ship? Makes Me Want To Go Watch, 'The Bridges At Toko-Ri'. Thank You. (Like #487 - Comment #25)
Captain Shands was the Commanding Officer of the USS Oriskany. The actor who played him in our award-winning short gave an incredible performance . He not only studied what kind of man he was, the actor spent an afternoon talking with an Admiral who had served with him. If you haven't seen our film, it has been posted on this channel: th-cam.com/video/vzWQmg5EOCk/w-d-xo.html
It is claimed here this battle was classified for over 50 years. Since it occurred in November of 1952 that would mean it was not declassified until 2002. But this very battle was described in R P Hallion's book The Naval Air War in Korea, which was published in 1988, 36 years after the battle. I think the current POTUS could see to it that Lt. R Williams gets his well-deserved MOH.
This event was declassified long ago. The after action report is available online. Four F9F fighters were sent to investigate unidentified aircraft inbound to the carrier from Vladivostok. One suffered a fuel pump problem and was escorted back to the ship. The remaining two continued towards a visual intercept. Williams' story was not publicized prior to the death of the other pilots. Both of these pilots provided testimony that contradicted Williams' story, which has changed since those other pilots passing. The Navy has rejected Williams' claim based upon that testimony. The official record has not changed. Read John R. Bruning's book, Crimson Sky to read the accounts of Roland's and Middleton. Roland's did NOT leave the fight, but chased a MiG off of Williams' damaged Panther. Middleton returned from escorting his wingman, and shot a MiG off of Williams' tail. The official score is 2 kills for Williams, 1 each for Roland's and Middleton. Ironic that the story changed after Roland's and Middleton were dead....
What funny is the Russian version in the record does match with outside a 4 plane crash on landing and the NSA had tapes of the conversations of the Russian
He's a hero of mine who I had lunch with last month. He's 99 years young and every time I'm with him I learn something new. Not many people know that he did an Air Force exchange tour flying the F-86 where he helped kickoff the USAF Fighter Weapons School. I love this man...that's why he's in four of my films!
The skipper of that ship was a hero as well.
Thank you, sir. And thank you for honoring your pledge to keep it silent.
A true hero.....in many ways failed by his wingman. The thought that the wingman left him to follow an airplane he had damaged while 5 other enemy aircraft were in sight is against everything taught in air to air tactics. The reason you have a wingman is to protect the lead while he pursues the intended kill.
I hope this gentleman gets his Medal of Honour. 🫡
My favorite straight wing jet, the F9F Panther.
What an incredible story! Thank you, sir.
Thanks guys . Wonderful to hear these legendary stories
Epic story of courage, airmanship, and dedication to his mission.....Thank you Sir!
Thank you for that fantastic story! I was pulling "G's" with you!
So glad you guys got this interview! Sadly we are losing these heros. Its so important to get these stories. People need to know what they did.
@@jeffreywebb4029 He’s 99 and I have lunch with him all the time…he is an incredible man! That’s why he’s in 4 of my films.
"The Captain turned the ship and lined up with me" Talk about on the fly calculations! Wind, Sea State, Drift Angle, ect. Now you know why they earn the big bucks!
Thank you for this interview.
A GREAT Friend/Squadron Mate of Mine from another generation...God Bless, Royce 👍🇺🇸
Truly an amazing story
love the aviation greens in the final photo ! Believe this hero still lives here in Escondido, Ca
Yes he does...I had lunch with him a couple of weeks ago. I love just sitting and talking with him!
When I was a kid I lived close to NAS Moffett Field In California. It was the early fifties and I had a front row seat to watching the F9F panther jets flying around the area. It was always a thrill to see those guys flying around the area. I have always had a special place for those jets as they were very cool for this young boy to watch perform. Many years later, as an enlisted sailor, I flew in and out of Moffett Field many times in an S2F.
Stone cold control of his situation and its solution. I, on the other hand, was public affairs officer aboard USS JFK and nearly had a bad case of the vapors when my typewriter ran out of ribbon. :)
He deserves the MOH! Did he get it?
No, he didn't. It passed through Congress but not the Executive Branch. Even our heroes are politicized-it is absolutely disgusting!
@TomcatTales disgusting. Thanks for update
Wow what a pilot!
A no joke hot seat😮
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Makes me wonder what else we don't know about.
That Was A Great Story, Man! Who Was The Captain Of The Ship? Makes Me Want To Go Watch, 'The Bridges At Toko-Ri'. Thank You. (Like #487 - Comment #25)
Captain Shands was the Commanding Officer of the USS Oriskany. The actor who played him in our award-winning short gave an incredible performance . He not only studied what kind of man he was, the actor spent an afternoon talking with an Admiral who had served with him. If you haven't seen our film, it has been posted on this channel: th-cam.com/video/vzWQmg5EOCk/w-d-xo.html
It is claimed here this battle was classified for over 50 years. Since it occurred in November of 1952 that would mean it was not declassified until 2002. But this very battle was described in R P Hallion's book The Naval Air War in Korea, which was published in 1988, 36 years after the battle.
I think the current POTUS could see to it that Lt. R Williams gets his well-deserved MOH.
BAMF.
This event was declassified long ago. The after action report is available online. Four F9F fighters were sent to investigate unidentified aircraft inbound to the carrier from Vladivostok. One suffered a fuel pump problem and was escorted back to the ship. The remaining two continued towards a visual intercept. Williams' story was not publicized prior to the death of the other pilots. Both of these pilots provided testimony that contradicted Williams' story, which has changed since those other pilots passing. The Navy has rejected Williams' claim based upon that testimony. The official record has not changed. Read John R. Bruning's book, Crimson Sky to read the accounts of Roland's and Middleton. Roland's did NOT leave the fight, but chased a MiG off of Williams' damaged Panther. Middleton returned from escorting his wingman, and shot a MiG off of Williams' tail. The official score is 2 kills for Williams, 1 each for Roland's and Middleton. Ironic that the story changed after Roland's and Middleton were dead....
What funny is the Russian version in the record does match with outside a 4 plane crash on landing and the NSA had tapes of the conversations of the Russian
God Bless them all!
WHAT CARRIER WAS THIS ?
@@MrGPMcMahon USS Oriskany
@@TomcatTales THAT WAS MY SHIP, DID NOT HEAR IT MENTIONED ?
That’s some flying and guts.
35 minutes.
Not only were you good, maybe exceptional, but your training must’ve been exemplary.
🫡🫡🫡
🦘🇦🇺👍
He's a hero of mine who I had lunch with last month. He's 99 years young and every time I'm with him I learn something new. Not many people know that he did an Air Force exchange tour flying the F-86 where he helped kickoff the USAF Fighter Weapons School. I love this man...that's why he's in four of my films!