The enrollment process added bipartisan co-sponsors (Representatives Baxter, Emery, Massie, Muckey, and Van Diepen plus Senators Duhamel, Howard, Otten, Perry, Reed, and Zikmund) to the original bill introduced by Representative Goodwin, and removed the legislative formatting markers and line numbers. This change broadens the bill's support by giving additional legislators formal recognition as sponsors of the commemoration.
26.1012.9 101st Legislative Session HC8012 2026 South Dakota Legislature House Commemoration 8012 Introduced by: Representative Goodwin Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. Representatives Goodwin, Baxter, Emery, Massie, Muckey, and Van Diepen and Senators Duhamel, Howard, Otten, Perry, Reed, and Zikmund A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION recognizing Captain Royce Williams for his 1 exemplary military service and bravery in combat. 2 WHEREAS, Royce Williams was raised on a farm near Wilmot, South Dakota, during the 3 Great Depression, and he grew up embodying the values of hard work, courage, and 4 leadership; and 5 WHEREAS, Royce Williams earned a commission in the United States Navy, became a 6 naval aviator, and was assigned to fly the F9F Panther while on combat duty off the coast of 7 North Korea in November of 1952; and 8 WHEREAS, Lieutenant Junior Grade Williams was on combat air patrol with a group of 9 three other pilots on 18 November, 1952, when seven Soviet MiG-15s approaching the US 10 fleet engaged the fighters; and 11 WHEREAS, three of the pilots were ordered to return to the USS Oriskany, but the Soviet 12 MiG-15s had already fired upon Williams, who was engaged in aerial combat for the next 13 thirty-five minutes, which is believed to be the longest dogfight in US Navy history, and 14 Williams shot down four enemy aircraft and damaged two others before ultimately landing his 15 aircraft back on the deck of the USS Oriskany; and 16 WHEREAS, the United States intercepted the Soviet Air Force's transmissions confirming 17 the hostile intent on the US fleet, the attack, and the loss of Soviet aircraft, but due to the 18 security classification, Lieutenant Junior Grade Williams was directed never to speak of the 19 event, and knowledge of the event remained classified until 1990, after Williams retired with 20 the rank of Captain following a distinguished career; and 21 WHEREAS, in December, 2025, the Secretary of the Navy recommended upgrading 22 Captain Williams' military decoration to the Medal of Honor, and the President of the United 23 26.1012.9 2 HC8012 Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. States personally called to inform Captain Royce Williams of his intent to award him the 1 nation's highest honor for courage in the face of the enemy; 2 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the One Hundred First Legislature of the 3 State of South Dakota, that Captain Royce Williams is recognized for his exemplary military 4 career and bravery in combat. 5