Eric Slover and a 100-Year-Old Navy Pilot: Two Medals of Honor Awarded by Trump During State of the Union
President Trump used his 2026 State of the Union address to present two Congressional Medals of Honor, including one to eric slover, a U. S. Army helicopter pilot wounded during a bold raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro (Updated on: February 24, 2026 / 11: 30 PM ET). The dual honors united moments from more than seven decades of American military history on one high-profile stage and marked a first for the annual address.
Eric Slover: Medal of Honor on the House Chamber Floor
Eric Slover, Chief Warrant Officer Five and a 45-year-old Army helicopter pilot, received a standing ovation in the chamber as he and his wife entered. Chants of "USA, USA, USA" filled the room. Still recovering from his wounds, Slover appeared in full dress uniform and relied on a walker to steady himself. Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga placed the Medal of Honor around his neck in the Capitol gallery, a presentation noted as the first time a Medal of Honor had been presented during the annual address.
eric slover and the Jan. 3 Operation Absolute Resolve Mission
The president described a covert Jan. 3 mission called Operation Absolute Resolve that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The account cast Slover as a principal architect and the flight lead in the cockpit of the first Chinook to approach Maduro's heavily fortified Caracas compound under cover of darkness. As the Chinook approached, it came under intense machine-gun fire from multiple directions; the installation was said to be protected by thousands of soldiers and guarded by Russian and Chinese military technology.
Wounds, Actions and Recognition for Eric Slover
Slover sustained multiple, serious wounds to his leg and hip but maintained control of the helicopter, enabling Delta Force operators to carry out their mission without American lives lost. The president depicted gunfire striking Slover repeatedly, with graphic descriptions of injuries that included multiple gunshot wounds and shattered tissue in his leg. Slover continued to maneuver the helicopter, repositioning it so door gunners could suppress enemy fire and prevent what was described as a potential catastrophic crash deep in enemy territory. Only after safely landing did Slover transfer control to his co-pilot.
Service Record and Decorations for Eric Slover
Slover enlisted in the Army in 2005. In addition to the Medal of Honor, his awards and badges were listed during the presentation as:
- Distinguished Flying Cross with V Device
- Purple Heart
- Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster
- Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Air Medal with C Device
- Air Medal with numeral 3
- Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Combat Action Badge
- Senior Army Aviator Badge and Master Aviator Badge
- Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge
- Army Service Ribbon
E. Royce Williams: A Classified Korean War Dogfight Brought to Light
The second Medal of Honor presented during the address honored Retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, who is 100 years old. Williams was recognized for actions during a secret mission in the Korean War. In 1952, flying a Grumman F9F Panther off the coast of the Korean Peninsula, Williams engaged seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets in what has been described as the longest aerial engagement in U. S. Navy history. He shot down four enemy aircraft during roughly a half-hour dogfight while his jet received more than 200 bullet strikes.
Secrecy, Later Recognition and Congressional Action
Soviet involvement in the clash was classified for decades; Williams was instructed to keep the engagement secret and said he spoke of it to no one, not even his wife. Details of the operation surfaced only after archival records and military histories became public following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Williams had previously received the Silver Star and was awarded the Navy Cross three years ago. Lawmakers last year waived the longstanding five-year limit for Medal of Honor upgrades, a change pressed for by Republican Rep. Darell Issa, whose San Diego-area district includes Williams's home. Issa wrote that Williams's heroism and valor during more than 35 harrowing minutes nearly 70 years ago saved the lives of fellow pilots, shipmates and crew. The president also called Williams earlier this month, and First Lady Melania Trump placed the medal around Williams's neck during the ceremony.
What Happened in the Chamber and What Comes Next
The twin presentations briefly transformed the House chamber into a military ceremony featuring uniformed officers and wounded warriors. The moment underscored risks faced by special operations and aviation crews in high-threat environments and revived a decades-old Cold War incident for full public acknowledgement. The president said that 10 other service members involved in the Maduro raid would receive medals at a later White House ceremony. Details of both operations and aftermath remain tied to the official accounts presented during the address; some elements were described as classified or long withheld before recent public disclosures.
