By Annie Linskey

President Trump offered a Presidential Medal of Freedom to American ice hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck. He gave out the Legion of Merit to the Coast Guard's Scott Ruskan, who saved the lives of Texas flood victims. And he offered the Purple Heart to two West Virginia National Guard Members who took fire while on deployment in Washington, D.C.

Presidents frequently use the annual State of the Union address to highlight ordinary Americans who have done extraordinary things (or embody key parts of their agenda.) But Trump, tapping his showman chops, has elevated this practice to include bestowing presidential honors during the address, adding some flair and human drama to the proceedings.

Trump kept the practice going, later delivering the Congressional Medal of Honor to a military helicopter pilot Eric Slover whose legs were badly injured during the operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. And then he gave the award to aviator E. Royce Williams, veteran of the Korean War.

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February 24, 2026 23:03 ET (04:03 GMT)

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