[theold]

In 1952, a US naval aviator shot down four Soviet fighter jets in the most heroic manner, but Washington had kept it a secret for over 50 years as they feared that it could have triggered a ‘World War III’.

On November 18, 1952, Royce Williams, then 27, was flying US Navy’s first jet fighter - F9F Panther on a mission during the Korean War.

So it was not until 2002, when the records were declassified, that Williams could even tell those closest to him.“For the rest of his accomplished Navy career, and for decades after retirement, the details of Williams’ dogfight with Soviet MiGs over North Korea remained a secret," according to the US Defense Department.

https://www.livemint.com/news/world/us-c...80602.html