During the 2026 State of the Union address, President Donald Trump honored a wounded Army helicopter pilot with the Medal of Honor — in a moving recognition of bravery that drew bipartisan applause on the House chamber floor.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover was presented the nation’s highest military decoration during the address — a rare and emotional moment in an otherwise highly anticipated speech. Slover, who was wounded during a high-risk U.S. operation in Venezuela earlier this year, was recognized for exceptional courage under enemy fire.
According to President Trump, Slover was the pilot of the lead CH-47 Chinook helicopter during the January mission that resulted in the capture of then–Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Despite coming under intense gunfire and suffering serious injuries to his leg and hip, Slover continued to fly and complete his mission — actions that were deemed critical to the operation’s success.
As Slover and his wife stood in the chamber, lawmakers from both parties gave a standing ovation and chants of “USA! USA!” echoed through the room — a rare moment of unified respect amid a politically charged setting.
The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest award for military valor, given for acts of extraordinary bravery above and beyond the call of duty. This presentation underscored not only Slover’s sacrifice but also the personal costs faced by service members during operations around the world.
Moments like these — honor, sacrifice, and courage — often transcend politics and remind the nation of the human stories behind uniformed service.