Feb. 25 (UPI) — President Donald Trump awarded the nation’s highest military decoration to two American service members during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.
Before a joint session of Congress on the U.S. Capitol, Trump announced Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover and retired Navy Capt. Elmer Royce Williams as recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Slover is on active duty, and received the decoration for his role in January’s military operation in which the United States abducted Venezuela leader Nicolas Maduro.
Williams, who served in three wars, was awarded the medal for aerial combat during the Korean War.
Trump announced the awards near the end of his record 1-hour, 48-minute address, asking Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga to present Slover with the medal.
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover receives a Medal of Honor as President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Pool photo by Kenny Holston/UPI
Braga placed the medal around Slover’s neck in the gallery with his wife, Amy, by his side.
Trump said Slover planned the early Jan. 3 Operation Absolute Resolve and flew the lead helicopter.
Navy Capt. Elmer Royce Williams receives the Congressional Medal of Honor as President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Pool photo by Kenny Holston/UPI
“Eric steered the Chinook under the cover of night and descended swiftly upon Maduro’s heavily protected military fortress,” Trump said, stating that as he was preparing to land his aircraft came under machine gun fire and Slover was shot four times.
“And yet, despite the fact that the use of his legs was vital to a successful helicopter flight, like I said, the most important part of flying a helicopter — to deliver the many commandos who would capture and detain Maduro was the only thing Eric was thinking about.”
President Donald J. Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. During his speech, he awarded the Medal of Honor to Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover and retired Navy Capt. Elmer Royce Williams Pool photo by Kenny Holston/UPI
Trump said the success of the entire mission, and the lives of his fellow soldiers, were dependent on his “ability to take searing pain.”
Slover stood with the use of a walker. Trump said he was still recovering from his injuries.
Trump has long sought to oust Maduro, going back to his first administration, and Operation Absolute Resolve resulted in the authoritarian leader being transported to the United States to face drug trafficking-related charges.
Williams, a centenarian, flew more than 220 missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, the president said, stating he was receiving the Medal of Honor for participating in “the dogfight of a lifetime” in 1952.
First lady Melania Trump, who was sitting beside Williams, presented him with his Medal of Honor.
Trump said during the Korean War, Williams’ squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter jets, and despite being outnumbered, he led the downing of four enemy aircraft, while his plane absorbed 263 bullets.
Like Slover, Williams was seriously injured, Trump said.
“That is our highest honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor. That’s a big thing, and it’s an honor to be in the same room with you,” Trump said.
“Thank you both.”
According to the nonprofit Congressional Medal of Honor Society, more than 3,500 people have received the award.
