On the evening of February 24, 2026, the U.S. Capitol was alive with emotion and ceremony as President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address. But this year, the annual event was marked by a moment of extraordinary recognition: the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot whose courage during a high-stakes raid in Venezuela captured the nation’s attention and admiration.
Slover, accompanied by his wife Amy, entered the House chamber to a standing ovation. The crowd erupted in chants of “USA, USA, USA,” a rare and unifying moment that transcended political lines. As reported by the New York Times and AFP, President Trump described in gripping detail the events that led to Slover’s recognition, painting a vivid picture of valor under fire.
The story began in the early hours of January 3, 2026, during a covert mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Slover piloted the lead CH-47 Chinook helicopter—more specifically, the twin-rotor MH-47 Chinook—tasked with inserting an assault team into a heavily fortified compound where Maduro was believed to be hiding. According to the New York Times, the operation was months in the making, with U.S. forces meticulously planning every detail to ensure both surprise and success.
As the helicopters approached the compound, the atmosphere inside Slover’s cockpit grew tense. Enemy defense systems sprang to life, and machine guns opened fire from multiple directions. “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,” President Trump recounted during his address, as reported by AFP and Fox Business. The president’s account was corroborated by several outlets, including Reuters, which detailed how Slover was struck three times in the leg by enemy fire.
The situation was dire. Slover, absorbing four agonizing gunshot wounds that shredded his leg into numerous pieces, faced a critical decision. The success of the mission—and the lives of his fellow warriors—hinged on his ability to endure searing pain and maintain control of his aircraft. “The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinged on Eric’s ability to take searing pain,” Trump said, an assertion echoed in multiple reports. Despite his injuries, Slover managed to maneuver his helicopter, allowing his gunners to eliminate immediate threats and preventing what could have been a catastrophic crash deep in enemy territory.
“Eric maneuvered his helicopter with all of those lives and souls to face the enemy and let his gunners eliminate the threat, saving the lives of his fellow warriors from what could have been a catastrophic crash deep in enemy territory,” President Trump declared, offering a rare window into the harrowing moments of the operation. The New York Times noted that Slover’s actions were not just a matter of duty, but of raw courage and resolve under unimaginable pressure.
Seven American service members, including Slover, were wounded in the raid, suffering gunshot wounds and shrapnel-related injuries. The mission plunged the Venezuelan capital into darkness as U.S. troops infiltrated Maduro’s stronghold and ultimately whisked him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. The operation, though successful, was shrouded in secrecy until Trump’s address, which provided new and detailed insights into what had transpired that night.
During the State of the Union, Slover appeared in his dress uniform and used a walker to steady himself, a visible reminder of the physical cost of his heroism. Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, commander of Joint Special Operations Command, presented the Medal of Honor to Slover in the gallery overlooking the House chamber. Trump acknowledged that Slover is still recovering from his wounds, a process that may take many months.
“Slover was hit very badly in the leg and hip while preparing to land his twin-rotor MH-47 Chinook helicopter in a heavily fortified compound,” AFP reported, highlighting the gravity of his injuries. Despite the pain and risk, Slover’s determination never wavered. The president emphasized, “The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinged on Eric’s ability to take searing pain.”
The recognition did not stop with Slover. President Trump announced that ten other service members who participated in the operation will receive medals at a private ceremony at the White House in the near future. According to Fox Business, the president also upgraded the Navy Cross of retired Capt. E. Royce Williams—a Navy pilot who shot down multiple Soviet jets during the Korean War—to the Medal of Honor during the same event, calling the 100-year-old veteran “one of the last living legends.”
For Slover and his family, the ceremony was deeply personal. As the cameras panned across the House chamber, Amy Slover could be seen holding back tears, her pride and relief evident. The standing ovation and chants of “USA” were not just for her husband, but for all those who put themselves in harm’s way for their country.
The raid on Maduro’s compound, while a tactical victory, came at a significant cost. About half a dozen American soldiers were injured, and the operation underscored the dangers faced by U.S. forces in high-risk missions overseas. Yet, as Trump noted, the bravery displayed by Slover and his team was instrumental in achieving the mission’s objectives and preventing greater loss of life.
The president’s decision to highlight Slover’s story during the State of the Union was seen by many as an effort to unite the country around shared values of sacrifice and service. In a year marked by political divisions, the moment served as a reminder of the courage that exists within the ranks of the U.S. military—and the extraordinary individuals who step forward when called upon.
As the ceremony concluded, President Trump promised that other members of the military involved in the mission would be honored at the White House at a later date. For now, the spotlight remains on Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, whose actions on that fateful night in Venezuela have earned him a place among the nation’s most honored heroes.
The echoes of applause lingered long after the House chamber emptied, a testament to the enduring power of valor and the sacrifices made in the name of duty.