Pilot who helped capture Maduro honored by Trump at State of the Union

Eric Slover, an Army helicopter pilot wounded during a Jan. 3 operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, received the Medal of Honor during President Trump's State of the Union address.

Eric Slover appeared in the House gallery during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to receive the Medal of Honor. He is a 45-year-old Army helicopter pilot who had served in U.S. special operations. Slover was wounded in his leg by gunfire during a Jan. 3 operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. Presenting the award during the nationally televised speech was a departure from the typical White House ceremony. Key facts: - Eric Slover received the Medal of Honor during the State of the Union and attended with his wife, Amy, according to the report. - The article reports Slover was shot multiple times in his leg by Venezuelan security forces while piloting a CH-47 Chinook as he attempted to land in Caracas on Jan. 3. - A U.S. Army Special Operations Command spokesperson said Slover enlisted in August 2005, trained as a CH-47 pilot and served with a specialized unit known as the Night Stalkers. - The president also awarded the Medal of Honor that night to 100-year-old retired Navy pilot Royce Williams for service in the Korean War. - The president said 10 of Slover's fellow service members from the Venezuela operation will receive medals at a private White House ceremony that will be held soon. Summary: The presentation highlighted both a recent overseas operation and a historical combat award by placing two Medal of Honor ceremonies within a nationally televised presidential address rather than the usual White House setting. A private White House ceremony to recognize additional service members from the Venezuela operation was reported as the next scheduled event.