Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, an Army helicopter pilot, was awarded the United States’ highest military decoration — the Congressional Medal of Honor — by President Donald Trump during the 2026 State of the Union address. The recognition highlights his extraordinary bravery and dedication during a high‑risk US military operation in Venezuela in January 2026.
Slover’s actions took place during a covert mission that resulted in the capture of then‑Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is facing drug trafficking and narco‑terrorism charges in US courts. Despite facing heavy machine gun fire, Slover, serving as the flight lead aboard an MH‑47 Chinook helicopter, completed the insertion of assault forces under intense hostile conditions. During the mission he was severely wounded in the leg and hip but maintained control of his helicopter and ensured the safety of his crew and the success of the operation.
The ceremony inside the House chamber at the US Capitol was a rare moment in which a Medal of Honor was presented during the annual address to Congress. Slover, using a walker while still recovering from his injuries, received a standing ovation alongside his wife Amy during the event.
Central to the narrative of Slover achievement is the unit to which he belongs — the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), widely known by its nickname the Night Stalkers. This elite aviation unit of the United States Army specialises in providing helicopter support for special operations forces, undertaking complex and dangerous missions often under low‑visibility conditions at night. The regiment operates as part of the Joint Special Operations Command and is based at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Its missions have historically included attack, assault, reconnaissance and insertion tasks for special operations forces and are often executed with a combination of high speed, precision and stealth.
The Night Stalkers have a long history of involvement in some of the most demanding US military operations since their establishment in 1981. Their capabilities have been utilised in conflicts ranging from Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada to the raid that killed Osama bin Laden and, most recently, in Operation Absolute Resolve, which led to Maduro capture. Members of the 160th SOAR undergo rigorous training to achieve advanced qualifications and are considered among the most capable helicopter aviators in the US Army.
President Trump described the mission as extremely dangerous and risky, noting that enemy forces were prepared for the US attack. He emphasised that Slover actions were pivotal to the mission’s success and directly contributed to saving the lives of fellow service members under fire. The president also announced that additional medals would be awarded to other participants in the January operation at a later ceremony.
The presentation of the Medal of Honor recognises not only Slover individual heroism but also the professionalism and commitment of the Night Stalkers as a critical aviation component of US special operations. Their role in executing complex missions under challenging conditions continues to be a key element of US military capability
