HC 8012 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

recognizing Captain Royce Williams for his exemplary military service and bravery in combat.

This bill (HC 8012) is a South Dakota legislative commoration formally recognizing Captain Royce Williams for his military service. It specifically honors his combat actions during the Korean War, including a classified 35-minute dogfight in 1952 where he reportedly shot down four enemy aircraft. The resolution acknowledges the Navy's 2025 recommendation to upgrade his decoration to the Medal of Honor, though the bill itself does not change any military awards. It serves solely as a symbolic gesture of state recognition, directly affecting Captain Williams through official commemoration.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status introduced 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 17, 2026 Last action Feb 17, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Feb 20, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was transformed from a simple website loading error message into a complete legislative commemoration recognizing Captain Royce Williams for his military service. The new version adds the full text of the commemoration, including detailed background about Williams' heroic actions during a 1952 dogfight in the Korean War and his subsequent recognition with the Medal of Honor. This change establishes the official legislative record for honoring Williams' distinguished service.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a technical error page to a substantive legislative commemoration that formally recognizes Captain Royce Williams' military achievements and bravery in combat.

SCOPE

Added full legislative text recognizing Captain Royce Williams for his exemplary military service and bravery in combat during the Korean War

Included detailed background information about Williams' 1952 aerial combat engagement, including the longest dogfight in US Navy history where he shot down four enemy aircraft

Added information about the 2025 Medal of Honor recommendation and President's personal call to inform Williams of this honor

TECHNICAL

Removed browser compatibility warnings and technical error messages that were part of the original website interface

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Committee

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors