President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor last night to Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover for extraordinary heroism during last month’s high-risk operation targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
According to the President, Slover planned the mission and led the assault flight, piloting the first CH-47 Chinook helicopter under cover of darkness toward Maduro’s heavily fortified compound.
“Eric steered the Chinook through the night and descended swiftly upon the fortress,” Trump said during the ceremony.
As the aircraft prepared to land, enemy machine guns opened fire from multiple directions. Slover was struck repeatedly in the leg and hip, absorbing four devastating gunshot wounds.
“Even as he was gushing blood,” Trump said, “Eric maneuvered his helicopter with all of those lives onboard, turning to face the enemy so his gunners could eliminate the threat.”
Despite critical injuries, Slover maintained control of the aircraft, protecting his crew and ensuring the mission continued under intense fire.
The ceremony honored what officials described as “unflinching courage, leadership under fire, and absolute devotion to fellow soldiers” — a moment that drew a standing ovation as the wounded pilot received the nation’s highest military decoration.
President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor last night to Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover for extraordinary heroism during last month’s high-risk operation targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
According to the President, Slover planned the mission and led the assault flight, piloting the first CH-47 Chinook helicopter under cover of darkness toward Maduro’s heavily fortified compound.
“Eric steered the Chinook through the night and descended swiftly upon the fortress,” Trump said during the ceremony.
As the aircraft prepared to land, enemy machine guns opened fire from multiple directions. Slover was struck repeatedly in the leg and hip, absorbing four devastating gunshot wounds.
“Even as he was gushing blood,” Trump said, “Eric maneuvered his helicopter with all of those lives onboard, turning to face the enemy so his gunners could eliminate the threat.”
Despite critical injuries, Slover maintained control of the aircraft, protecting his crew and ensuring the mission continued under intense fire.
The ceremony honored what officials described as “unflinching courage, leadership under fire, and absolute devotion to fellow soldiers” — a moment that drew a standing ovation as the wounded pilot received the nation’s highest military decoration.
