President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to two military personnel Tuesday during his State of the Union Address.
Trump announced that Army Chief Warrant Officer Five Eric Slover would be given America’s highest decoration for valor for his actions during the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro in January. He also announced that Navy Captain Royce Williams, 100, would receive the award for downing four enemy fighters in a dogfight during the Korean War. (RELATED: ‘Total Disgrace’: Karoline Leavitt Tears Into CNN, MSNOW For Not Airing Angel Families Event)
“While preparing to land, enemy machine guns fired from every angle, and Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip, one bullet after another,” Trump described Slover’s action during the Jan. 3 operation during which Maduro was arrested. “He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces, and yet despite the fact that the use of his legs was vital to successful helicopter flight, legs are 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.”
“Then, even as he was gushing blood, which was flowing back down the aisle, the helicopter lands at a steep angle, the machine gun stood right in front of him, there were right in front of them, two machine gunners who escaped the wrath of the previous planes,” Trump added.
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“Eric maneuvered his helicopter with all of those lives and souls to face the enemy and let his gunners eliminate the threat, turned the helicopter around so the gunners could take care of business, saving the lives of his fellow warriors from what could have been a catastrophic crash deep in enemy territory,” the president stated. “Only after safely landing the helicopter with all the warriors aboard in the exact right spot, which was vital to the mission, we probably would have had to maybe cancel the mission if that didn’t happen, Eric told his co-pilot, also wounded, but not as gravely, to ‘Take over, I’m about ready to pass out.’”
After a lengthy ovation for Slover, who stood with the assistance of a walker, Trump continued his speech.
“In recognition of Eric’s actions above and beyond the call of duty, I would now like to ask General Jonathan Braga to present Chief Warrant Officer Slover. With our nation’s highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor,” the president said.
Before presenting the Medal of Honor to Williams, Trump noted that another ten military personnel would receive awards at the White House on Wednesday. (RELATED: Trump Teases Next Potential Target For Military Intervention After Capture Of Venezuela Dictator)
“Royce led the takedown of four enemy jets and almost destroyed the others, vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane and being seriously hurt,” Trump said. “His story was secret for over 50 years. He didn’t even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew and grew. But tonight at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was a legend long before this evening.”
“Royce, please stand up, and I will ask the First Lady of the United States to present Captain Royce Williams with his Congressional Medal of Honor,” Trump said, moments before First Lady Melania Trump placed the award for valor around Williams’ neck.
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