Trump bestows Purple Hearts, Medals of Honor at State of the Union. See all the awards.

During his State of the Union In his speech Tuesday evening, President Trump honored several U.S. service members and an Olympic athlete with awards including the Purple Heart, the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Legion of Merit and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Purple Hearts awarded to Andrew Wolfe, family of Sarah Beckstrom

In November of last year, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrommembers of the West Virginia National Guard, were ambushed and shot while patrolling Washington, D.C., near the White House.

Beckstrom, 20, died in the shooting, while Wolfe, 24, was killed. seriously injuredbut survived. Afghan national arrested in connection with shooting pleaded not guilty earlier this month to federal charges.

“With God’s help, Andrew was able to rise from the brink of death,” the president said Tuesday.

The families of Wolfe and Beckstrom were present at Tuesday evening’s speech and were recognized by the president. Wolfe received the Purple Heart in the House, which was pinned on his lapel. Beckstrom’s family was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart in their daughter’s name.

“After a four-month deployment, she voluntarily extended her service and her rank was going to be raised,” the president said of Beckstrom. “She was doing so well, they were so proud of her. But the next day she was on patrol near the White House when she was ambushed and shot in the head by a terrorist monster from Afghanistan. She should not have been in our country. And all because she was wearing our nation’s uniform, she was shot.”

American goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck will receive the Medal of Freedom

Connor Hellebuyck, goaltender for the American men’s hockey team, will be rewarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, Mr. Trump said Tuesday.

It was that of Hellebuyck extraordinary goalkeeper who helped the United States defeat Canada 2-1 in the Winter Olympics gold medal game on Sunday and gave the United States its first gold medal in men’s hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team.

Hellebuyck and his teammates met with Mr. Trump at the White House earlier Tuesday before attending the State of the Union ceremony, where they received a roaring ovation from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

“I’ve never seen a goalie play as well as Connor Hellebuyck,” Mr. Trump said.

100-year-old Korean War veteran receives Medal of Honor for long-secret air battle with Soviets

Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, 100, was there Tuesday evening. receive the medal of honor – the highest U.S. military award for valor in combat – for his heroic actions during an aerial confrontation that remained secret for about half a century.

During the Korean War in 1952, Williams dejected four Soviet MiG-15 planes in a 35-minute dogfight with seven Soviet planes while flying off the coast of the Korean Peninsula. It is considered one of the longest aerial engagements in U.S. Navy history.

“Tonight, at 100 years old, this courageous Navy captain finally gets the recognition he deserves. He was a legend long before tonight,” Mr. Trump said.

Williams received a several-minute standing ovation as first lady Melania Trump presented her with the award.

Soldier injured during Maduro’s capture receives medal of honor

Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, injured in the attack operation in Venezuela which resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, received the Medal of Honor.

Mr. Trump said Slover was the pilot of the first Chinook helicopter that descended on Maduro’s military compound in the middle of the night. The president said Slover was “shot very badly in the leg and hip” as he prepared to land.

“Yet even though the use of his legs was essential to the success of the helicopter flight, freeing the many commandos who would capture and arrest Maduro was all Eric could think about,” Mr. Trump said.

Coast Guard officer who responded to Texas flooding receives Legion of Merit

Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Ruskan was awarded the Legion of Merit “for extraordinary heroism” by Mr. Trump for his rescue efforts during deadly floods in Texas in July 2025, which claimed the lives of more than 130 people, including several dozen at Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls.

Ruskan was credited by Mr. Trump with saving 11-year-old Milly Cate McClymond, one of the camp participants, and dozens of others.

“As the waters threatened to sweep her away, 11-year-old Millie Cate McClymond closed her eyes and prayed to God,” Mr. Trump said. “She thought she was going to die. Those prayers were answered when Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan came down from a helicopter above. No one knew where he came from. It was Scott’s very first rescue mission. Young man, very brave… always top of his class, and he brought not only Millie Cate, but 164 other people to safety.”