Army helicopter pilot wounded during Maduro raid receives Medal of Honor during State of the Union
President Donald Trump presented Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot wounded in the audacious raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with the Medal of Honor on Tuesday during his State of the Union address.
As Slover and his wife entered the chamber, they received a standing ovation and chants of “USA, USA, USA.”
Trump credited Slover for helping plan Operation Absolute Resolve and for serving as the flight lead aboard the first Chinook helicopter to approach Maduro’s heavily fortified Caracas compound under the cover of night.
Trump reveals US helicopter pilots were wounded in Maduro raid
The president described the mission as “very dangerous” because the enemy “knew we were coming.” The military installation was protected by thousands of soldiers and guarded by Russian and Chinese technology, Trump said, before quipping: “How did that work out? Not too good.”
Slover was repeatedly struck in the leg and hip by hostile fire as he was preparing to land.
“One bullet after another. He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces,” Trump continued. Despite his wounds, Slover brought the aircraft and his team back to safety.
“Maduro was the only thing Eric was thinking about,” Trump declared. “Then, even as he was gushing blood which was flowing back down the aisle, [the] helicopter lands at a steep angle.”
Trump noted that Slover continues to recover from his injuries.
The ceremony on Tuesday evening marked the first time a Medal of Honor has been presented during the annual address. Retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams also received the Medal of Honor on Tuesday night for his actions as a fighter pilot during the Korean War.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover of the U.S. Army received the Medal of Honor during the State of the Union address for his bravery in a raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Slover was wounded by enemy fire while leading the mission aboard a Chinook helicopter in Caracas. President Trump highlighted the dangers of the operation and Slover's critical role in its success.
- Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover was awarded the Medal of Honor.
- Slover was wounded during the raid to capture Nicolás Maduro.
- The raid involved U.S. Army helicopter pilots and was described as dangerous.
- The operation was planned under the cover of night and faced heavy enemy fire.
- This was the first Medal of Honor presented during a State of the Union address.