John,

If you ask me how I survived a battle against seven Soviet
fighter jets by myself, I still couldn't explain it.

It was towards the end of the Korean War, and I was aboard the
USS Oriskiny in the Sea of Japan when our radar picked up a
squadron of enemy Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets heading our way.

A few of the other naval aviators and I hopped in our F9F-5
Panthers to intercept them and protect our aircraft carrier.

When we got above the clouds, I spotted seven contrails - meaning
there were seven Soviets we had to take down.

But that's when things took an unexpected turn.

Before engaging, my division leader's emergency warning light
came on and had to return back to base with his wingman. Two of
us left.

Then, the Soviets noticed we were on their tail and immediately
broke off into different directions.

I quickly shot one down and my wingman veered off to finish the
job.

Now, it was just me versus six Soviets.

It felt like the battle raged on for hours - endlessly twisting
and turning to try and shake them off my tail.

There was a point where I was never flying straight. If I did so
for even a second, I would've been instantly killed.

Every once in a while I was able to get behind one of the Soviets
and fire off a few shots before they were back on my tail.

Then they hit me. And I was going down fast.

Thankfully I was close to our naval carrier - so I had the luxury
of two grim choices...

Land in the sub-zero degree waters below and freeze to death...
Or crash land on the naval carrier and hope to God I my fighter
jet didn't explode on impact.

Somehow, I landed and hopped out of my F9F-5 in one piece. I
counted 263 bullet holes in my jet.

To this day, I'm the only American who's ever shot down FOUR
Soviet MiG-15s in one fight.

It's truly a miracle that I survived that day.

It's a miracle that I'm still alive to tell that story when so
many of my brothers-in-arms from the Korean War weren't so lucky.

And as terrifying as facing six enemy Soviet fighter jets was in
1952, perhaps just as terrifying today is worrying that pretty
soon, the lessons of duty, honor, and sacrifice I risked my life
for will be completely forgotten.

I know my time is running short.

That's why I have no choice now but to ask patriotic strangers
like you for your help to preserve our American history before
all of us World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans are
gone. Will you help me?

Like I said, I'm one of the lucky ones who's still around to pass
down my stories to the next generation.

Over the past few years, thousands of heroic American veterans
from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam have passed away.

And in our schools today, the younger generations who will soon
lead our country aren't being taught the valuable lessons of what
it takes to defend freedom and democracy.

In fact, some people are actively trying to erase our history and
make guys like me ashamed of my service to this magnificent
country.

I will never apologize for my service or for my undying
patriotism to the United States.

That's why I'm so thankful for the American Veterans Center.

If you've ever heard of the American Veterans Center before, then
you know that for the past 25 years, they've proudly stood up to
protect our history by making sure no American veteran is
forgotten.

Every May, they host the National Memorial Day Parade where they
make guys like me the celebrities in front of the millions of
people lining the streets and watching on TV.

In November, they host an Annual Veterans Conference where they
fly me and my fellow combat veterans from around the country to
Washington D.C. to give us the chance to tell our stories to the
hundreds of students and future military leaders in attendance.

The AVC even sends camera crews to our homes so they can record
our stories and preserve them for the rest of time.

But the AVC cannot do it alone.

As a non-profit organization, they rely almost exclusively on the
donations of thousands of patriotic Americans like you who care
about our country's history and our veterans.

The National Memorial Day Parade costs the AVC around $500,000;

The Annual AVC Conference and Youth Summit costs them around
$600,000; And every Oral History video they record costs about
$2,000 to produce.

So, after all the American Veterans Center has done for me and
thousands of American veterans, I have to ask you for this urgent
favor...

Will you consider making a generous, tax-deductible contribution
of $25, $35, $50 or more to the AVC so they can preserve our
legacies before more of us pass?
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I cannot begin to tell you how much the American Veterans Center
means to me.

Because of them, I know that when I eventually pass on, my
stories - and the stories of the men who served by my side - will
be remembered forever.

But if the AVC can't raise the money to continue preserving our
history, thousands of more veterans who put their lives on the
line for our freedom and way of life will pass away without
having their stories told.

I've always believed that those who don't understand history are
doomed to repeat it.

Without your help today, future generations will completely
forget about what it took to keep America free and prosperous.

And when that happens, America's identity will be lost forever.

I'm counting on folks like you to make sure that doesn't happen.

Please, help my friends at the American Veterans Center preserve
our history from being washed away by sending them a gift of $25,
$35, $50 or more today.

Sincerely,

Royce Williams


SUPPORT THE AVC TODAY>>
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The mission of the American Veterans Center and the World War II
Veterans Committee is to preserve and promote the legacy and
experiences of America's veterans and active duty service
personnel from World War II through today.

A non-profit educational organization, the AVC and WWIIVC are
funded solely through generous contributions from people like
you. All contributions are tax-deductible.

© American Veterans Center | www.americanveteranscenter.org1100
N. Glebe Road Suite 910, Arlington, VA 22201

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