Trump awards Medal of Honor to officer injured while capturing Maduro – One America News Network

OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
8:12 AM – Wednesday, February 25, 2026

President Donald Trump honored a helicopter pilot who was wounded in the raid to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro with the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military award, during his State of the Union address.

Trump said that Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover was the pilot of the lead CH-47 Chinook helicopter that descended on the “heavily protected military fortress” that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, attempted to escape to during the “Operation Absolute Resolve.”

“While preparing to land, enemy machine guns fired from every angle, and Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip, one bullet after another,” Trump said. He added that Slover “absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces.”

Slover appeared in the House chamber with a walker and his wife, Amy, at his side, who, Trump said, blessed the dog tags he wore with holy water before he left for his mission.

Trump explained that “the deeds of one warrior that night will live forever in the eternal chronicles of military valor,” telling the tale of Slover’s bravery in vivid detail, including the “gushing blood” from his several bullet wounds as he landed the helicopter at a steep angle.

He said that only once the helicopter was safely landed with all military personnel in their correct places did Slover ask his co-pilot to take over piloting the large aircraft, commenting, “I’m about ready to pass out.”

His co-pilot was also wounded, though not as severely. While the raid was successful, and while no U.S. service members died, seven were left with gunshot wounds and shrapnel-related injuries.

“The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinge on Eric’s ability to take searing pain,” Trump remarked, “It was unbelievable what’s happened to his legs.”

“Chief Warrant Officer Slover is still recovering from his serious wounds, but I’m thrilled to say that he is here tonight with his wife, Amy,” Trump added, inviting the couple to enter the gallery looking over the Congressional chamber.

Lieutenant General Jonathan Braga, commander of Joint Special Operations Command, presented Slover with the medal as he stood in his dress uniform with his left leg encased in a brace. The crowd chanted, “USA! USA! USA!”

Trump also announced that a private ceremony would be held at the White House for 10 other service members who served in the operation to receive medals.

The president also presented a Medal of Honor to retired Captain E. Royce Williams, a Navy pilot who shot down Soviet jets during the Korean War. As he upgraded his existing Navy Cross award, he called the 100-year-old former pilot “one of the last living legends.”