'Hand of Providence': 7 top moments in Trump's State of the Union address marking nation's 250th anniversary
7. Trump presents Congressional Medal of Honor to architect of Maduro raid, 100-year World War II Veteran
Trump’s speech also included a mention of the ouster of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro in a U.S. military operation earlier this year.
“The deeds of one warrior that night will live forever in the eternal chronicles of military valor,” the president said, naming Chief Warrant Officer Five Eric Slover as the warrior in question.
He detailed how Slover, who planned the mission and wore dog tags blessed with Holy Water, was shot multiple times in the leg as he flew the first helicopter in the military operation.
According to Trump, “The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinged on Eric’s ability to take the searing pain. It was unbelievable what happened to his legs.”
Praising Slover for his decision to “keep on flying” and enable U.S. forces to complete the mission to capture Maduro, Trump presented him with the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Slover was not the only person to receive a Congressional Medal of Honor during the State of the Union address.
Royce Williams, a 100-year-old veteran who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, also received a Congressional Medal of Honor. Williams was seated next to first lady Melania Trump, who presented him with the award.
According to the Military Times, "On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams launched from the deck of the USS Oriskany in his F9F-5 Panther fighter aircraft and quickly found himself in a solo dogfight against seven Soviet MiG-15 jets. In a battle lasting 35 minutes — an eternity in aerial combat — he downed four enemy aircraft, survived a 37mm cannon, and still managed to return to his carrier off the North Korean coast. The next day, the crew counted 263 holes that stippled the Panther’s frame."
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
