President Donald Trump featured American heroes young and old in the Congressional chamber during his State of the Union speech.
‘This will be a year to celebrate our country and kept it free,’ Trump said, referring to America’s 250th birthday celebrations throughout 2026.
Retired United States Navy Captain E. Royce Williams, 100, was awarded the Medal of Honor by First Lady Melania Trump for his valor during a secret mission in Korea.
Williams fought seven Soviet MiG fighter jets, and shot down four during an intense aerial dogfight in 1952.
‘Despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned Royce led the takedown of four enemy jets … vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane and being seriously hurt,’ Trump said.
The records of the event were kept classified, as the involvement from the Soviet Union in the war was top secret.
The president also honored Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions as a pilot in the recent military action in Venezuela.
Royce Williams, a 100-year-old Navy aviator and Korean War veteran, is given the Congressional Medal of Honor by U.S. First lady Melania Trump
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover receives a Medal of Honor during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address
Slover piloted a Chinook helicopter during the high risk mission and was shot four times in the leg and hip, but maintained control of his aircraft preserving the lives on board.
‘The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinged on Eric’s ability to take searing pain,’ Trump said.
The president honored him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during his speech.
National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe receives a Purple Heart during U.S. President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address
Gary and Evalea Beckstrom, parents of killed National Guard and Army Sp Sarah Beckstrom ,receive a posthumous Purple Heart during U.S. President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address
The president also awarded National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe who was shot and critically wounded while on duty in Washington, DC in November, a day before Thanksgiving.
National Guard and Army Sp Sarah Beckstrom was killed in the attack and the president presented her parents Gary and Evalea Beckstrom with a posthumous purple heart medal for their daughter.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national was charged for the ambush-style shooting of Wolfe and Beckstrom.
U. S. Navy Capt. George ‘Buddy’ Taggart is recognized by the president for his service
Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan is awarded the Legion of Merit as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address
President Trump also recognized U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan who helped rescue more than 169 people during the horrific Texas floods over the Fourth of July weekend in 2025.
The president awarded Ruskan with the Legion of Merit, as Millie Kate McClemand, one of the young girls he rescued that day stood next to him.
Trump also recognized World War II veteran George “Buddy” Taggart.
‘He is looking forward to July 4th, 2026, his 100th birthday,’ he said as the veteran stood up and saluted the president.
