Medal of Honor pilot was hit repeatedly by machine-gun fire during the Maduro raid, Trump says, revealing mission details
Business Insider
February 25, 2026
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President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover during his State of the Union address for his heroic actions during the US raid in Venezuela. Slover, piloting a Chinook helicopter, was hit four times by machine-gun fire as he guided the aircraft into a heavily fortified compound holding then-President Nicolás Maduro. Despite severe injuries, Slover maneuvered the helicopter to safety, allowing gunners to neutralize threats and prevent a potential catastrophe.
The mission involved advanced stealth fighters and supersonic bombers disabling Venezuela's air defenses before helicopters with ground troops arrived. Slover’s helicopter faced intense fire from machine-gunners who evaded earlier airstrikes. Despite gushing blood from his wounds, Slover stayed focused, ensuring the operation succeeded and saving his team from a deadly crash.
Additionally, Trump presented the Medal of Honor to E. Royce Williams, a 102-year-old veteran awarded for his extraordinary heroism during the Korean War. In a classified 1952 dogfight, Williams shot down four Soviet MiG-15s despite being outgunned. The delay in awarding him the medal—decades after his bravery—highlighted the lengthy and stringent process required for such honors.
The decision to bestow these medals during the State of the Union address sparked debate among veterans who felt it diminished the ceremony’s solemnity. Trump also humorously expressed his desire for the Medal of Honor, though he clarified he couldn’t award it to himself. The event underscored the importance of recognizing military heroism and the challenges in ensuring timely acknowledgments.
For readers interested in business, this story highlights the intersection of politics and military honors, emphasizing leadership under fire and the value of valuing veterans. It also reflects how such high-profile awards can shape public perception and policy discussions.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/25/2026