Awards Presented at State of the Union

During his recent State of the Union address, President Trump presented several awards to U.S. service members and an Olympic athlete. The awards included the Purple Heart, the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Legion of Merit, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Purple Hearts Awarded

Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, members of the West Virginia National Guard, were ambushed and shot in Washington, D.C., in November of the prior year. Beckstrom, 20, died in the shooting, while Wolfe, 24, was critically injured but survived. An Afghan national arrested in connection with the shooting pleaded not guilty to federal charges recently.

Staff Sgt. Wolfe, who recovered from his injuries, received a Purple Heart. A posthumous Purple Heart was awarded to Beckstrom's family on her behalf.

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Connor Hellebuyck, goalie for the U.S. men's hockey team, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hellebuyck's performance helped the U.S. defeat Canada 2-1 in the Winter Olympics gold-medal game.

This victory secured the first U.S. men's hockey gold since 1980.

Hellebuyck and his teammates met with the President before attending the State of the Union address.

Medal of Honor Recipients

Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams

Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, 100, received the Medal of Honor for his valor during the Korean War. In 1952, Williams shot down four Soviet MiG-15 jets in a 35-minute aerial engagement with seven Soviet aircraft off the Korean Peninsula.

This extraordinary aerial event, where Captain Williams engaged seven Soviet aircraft and shot down four MiG-15 jets, remained classified for approximately 50 years.

Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover

Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover was also presented with the Medal of Honor. He was wounded during an operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.

Piloting the first Chinook helicopter to descend on Maduro's military compound, Slover sustained severe leg and hip injuries while preparing to land.

Legion of Merit

Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Ruskan was awarded the Legion of Merit for his rescue efforts during the Texas floods in July of the prior year, which caused over 130 fatalities.

In what was his initial rescue mission, Ruskan successfully rescued 11-year-old Milly Cate McClymond and 164 other individuals at Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls.