Helicopter Pilot Shot FOUR Times—Still Completes Mission

President Trump honored two American warriors during his State of the Union address, awarding our nation’s highest military decoration to heroes who risked everything—one in a daring 2026 raid that captured a dictator, the other in a long-classified Cold War dogfight that should have been recognized decades ago.

Story Highlights

Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover received the Medal of Honor after being shot four times while piloting the helicopter during the January 2026 Delta Force raid that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro
Retired Navy Captain Royce Williams, 100 years old, finally received recognition for downing four Soviet MiG-15s in a 1952 classified Korean War dogfight that remained secret for decades
Trump announced 10 additional service members from the Maduro raid will receive medals at an upcoming White House ceremony
The dual awards showcase Trump’s commitment to honoring military valor from both contemporary special operations and previously classified Cold War heroics

Wounded Pilot Completes Mission Despite Enemy Fire

Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover piloted a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as flight lead during the January 3, 2026 special operations raid on Nicolás Maduro’s heavily fortified Caracas compound. Machine gun fire struck Slover four times in the leg and hip as enemy forces, apparently aware of the incoming operation, unleashed intense defensive fire from all angles. Despite severe wounds and blood streaming down the aircraft aisle, Slover maintained control of the helicopter, successfully inserted Delta Force commandos, and safely landed the aircraft with his crew intact.

The raid on Maduro’s compound, guarded by Russian and Chinese technology alongside thousands of Venezuelan soldiers, represented one of the boldest special operations in recent American history. Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, head of Joint Special Operations Command, presented Slover’s Medal of Honor during the State of the Union ceremony. Slover, still recovering and using a walker, attended with his wife Amy. President Trump praised the wounded pilot’s extraordinary courage, noting the mission’s success depended entirely on Slover’s ability to complete his duties while gravely wounded.

Century-Old Warrior Finally Receives Recognition

Retired Navy Captain Royce Williams, now 100 years old, received long-overdue recognition for his November 18, 1952 engagement with Soviet forces during the Korean War. Williams encountered seven Soviet MiG-15 fighter jets and, in a 35-minute aerial battle—the longest in Navy history—shot down four enemy aircraft while his own F9F Panther absorbed 263 bullet hits. The classified nature of Soviet involvement in Korea meant Williams’ extraordinary feat remained secret for decades, initially earning only a Silver Star before upgrade to the Navy Cross in 2023.

Congress waived standard time restrictions to authorize the Medal of Honor for Williams, whose actions occurred over seven decades ago. First Lady Melania Trump presented the medal to Williams during the State of the Union address. The declassification of Williams’ engagement reveals how Cold War secrecy prevented proper recognition of American warriors who faced Soviet forces in undeclared combat. This award corrects a historical injustice that kept Williams’ heroism hidden from the American people for generations, denying him the honor he earned through extraordinary valor against overwhelming odds.

Trump Administration Prioritizes Military Valor Recognition

President Trump’s dual Medal of Honor presentations demonstrate his administration’s commitment to recognizing American military excellence across generations. Trump announced that 10 additional service members who participated in the Maduro raid will receive medals at an upcoming White House ceremony, emphasizing the broader team effort behind the successful capture operation. The President stated it was “an honor to be in the same room” with these warriors, calling their actions worthy of eternal remembrance in American military chronicles.

These awards reinforce the Trump administration’s aggressive foreign policy stance and commitment to special operations forces. The successful Maduro capture operation showcased American military capability to execute high-risk missions against adversaries protected by hostile foreign powers. Simultaneously, Williams’ recognition addresses past failures to properly honor veterans whose classified missions served national security interests during the Cold War. This combination sends a clear message that American warriors will receive recognition for their sacrifices, whether in contemporary operations or for previously hidden heroism that bureaucratic secrecy kept from public knowledge for far too long.