JAKARTA - The pilot of a US military helicopter who was injured in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor or Medal of Honor on the sidelines of President Donald Trump's state of the union address to members of Congress on Tuesday night.
Months of secret planning led to a daring operation that plunged the South American nation's capital into darkness, as troops stormed President Maduro's home and whisked him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
President Trump said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, who was present using a walker, was the lead CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot who descended into the "heavily fortified military stronghold" that held President Maduro during the attack that, although successful, left seven US military members with gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries.
"As he prepared to land, enemy machine guns fired from all directions, and Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip, one bullet after another," President Trump said, adding that Slover "received four painful shots, shattering his leg into several pieces," as reported by Al Arabiya from The Associated Press (25/2).
President Trump's description of Slover's actions that night offered new insight and details into a military action that has been largely shrouded in secrecy since it was carried out in the early hours of January 3.
As Slover prepared to land his helicopter, he was confronted by "two machine gunners who escaped the wrath of the previous aircraft," according to President Trump.
"Eric controlled his helicopter by risking his life and soul to face the enemy and let his shooter eliminate the threat," President Trump said, continuing "saving the lives of his fellow soldiers from what could have been a catastrophic accident in enemy territory."
President Trump said "the success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow soldiers depend on Eric's ability to withstand great pain."
The Medal of Honor was awarded by the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, Lieutenant General Jonathan Braga, in a gallery overlooking the DPR court room.
Slover was wearing his military uniform and using a walker to steady himself. President Trump said the soldier was still recovering from his wounds.
President Trump also said 10 other military members who took part in the operation would receive medals in a private ceremony to be held soon at the White House.
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