Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) Ramon "CZ" Colon-Lopez attend the Army-Navy football game at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, Dec. 12, 2020. The first time the game was played at Michie Stadium in West Point since 1943, Army West Point beat Navy 15-0 in the 121st football game between the two academies. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)
During Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Donald Trump presided over a powerful and deeply patriotic moment, awarding two Congressional Medals of Honor — the nation’s highest decoration for valor in combat — to American heroes from two very different eras of service.
One medal recognized extraordinary bravery in a recent U.S. military operation. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, a special operations helicopter pilot, was honored for his heroism during the daring raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. As Slover’s Chinook helicopter swept into the operation zone, enemy fire tore through the cockpit, striking him multiple times in the legs and hip.
“Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip, one bullet after another. He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces,” Trump said as Slover stood proudly with the aid of a walker.
Despite suffering catastrophic injuries, Slover remained at his post during the high-risk mission, embodying the courage, resilience, and unbreakable commitment that define America’s fighting forces. His presence at the Capitol was a testament not only to his survival, but to the enduring strength of the American warrior spirit.
The second Medal of Honor recognized valor from more than seven decades ago. First lady Melania Trump presented the award to retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, a 100-year-old naval aviator whose remarkable heroism during the Korean War remained classified for decades.
“At 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves,” Trump said. “He was a legend long before this evening.”
Tonight during the State of the Union, our nation paused to honor extraordinary courage. The United States Navy proudly recognizes Capt. Elmer Royce Williams (Ret.), Medal of Honor recipient. His heroism embodies the fighting spirit and enduring legacy of the United States Navy. pic.twitter.com/irjGbdQ4d3
According to Navy records, on Nov. 18, 1952, Williams launched from an aircraft carrier on what was expected to be a routine patrol. The mission quickly escalated when a warning came in: seven MiG-15 fighter jets were inbound. The other three American aircraft in his formation were unable to engage, leaving Williams to confront the enemy alone.
The MiGs were Soviet aircraft flown by Soviet pilots at a time when the Soviet Union was not officially a combatant in the Korean War. Public acknowledgment of such a clash risked escalating tensions into direct confrontation between nuclear superpowers — a scenario many in 1952 feared could ignite World War III.
What followed was 30 minutes of intense aerial combat. By the end of the engagement, Williams had shot down four enemy jets. His own aircraft, an F9F-5 Panther, was riddled with more than 250 bullet holes. Yet through skill, grit, and unwavering determination, he guided the crippled plane safely back to his carrier and landed it on deck.
There was no celebration awaiting him. Instead, Williams was ordered to remain silent. The encounter was immediately classified, and he was prohibited from discussing what had occurred. He did not even tell his wife about the extraordinary dogfight until the 1990s, when the records were finally declassified.
Together, the two awards highlighted the timeless valor of America’s service members — from the battlefields of the Korean War to modern special operations missions. In honoring both men, the State of the Union became more than a policy address; it became a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and enduring strength of the United States
