Vermont Business Magazine At the State of the Union address on Feb. 24, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, a graduate of Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies (CGCS), stood in the U.S. Capitol as the nation’s highest military honor – the Medal of Honor – was placed around his neck.
CW5 Slover joins a prestigious alumni community that has been honored with the Medal of Honor. President Donald Trump cited CW5 Slover’s remarkable heroism during a high-risk military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. During the mission, CW5 Slover sustained serious wounds but continued to lead and fly his CH-47 Chinook under fire to ensure mission success.
“We are immensely proud of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover and the extraordinary honor he received in being awarded the Medal of Honor. To have this recognition bestowed during the State of the Union underscores not only the magnitude of his courage and service, but the values he represents. As the 10th Norwich alumnus to receive our nation’s highest military decoration, CW5 Slover stands in a long and distinguished line of citizen-soldiers reflecting the enduring Norwich ethos that prepares leaders to serve with honor in the most demanding moments. His actions embody the very best of Norwich – selfless service, moral courage, and leadership under the most challenging circumstances – and his example will inspire generations to come.” – LtGen John J. Broadmeadow, USMC (Ret.), 25th President of Norwich University.
The Medal of Honor itself holds a deep and historic connection to Norwich University, rooted in the institution’s longstanding influence on American military leadership and service. One of the many consequential figures in that legacy is Gideon Welles, Norwich Class of 1826, who served as U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
Secretary Welles played a critical role in the creation of the Medal of Honor, helping establish the nation’s highest military decoration at a moment when courage and sacrifice were reshaping the country. That foundational connection endures today, linking Norwich alumni across generations through a shared tradition of service shaped by the Norwich ethos.
Through Norwich’s CGCS, CW5 Slover earned both a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis – a one-of-a-kind program only offered through Norwich University and only available to those serving in special forces – and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies.
CW5 Slover’s recognition on the national stage marks a profound moment of pride for Norwich University and the alumni community, but beyond the ceremony stands an example of a citizen-soldier whose personal foundation and courage allowed him to not only serve under pressure but succeed in his mission.
His actions speak to his extraordinary bravery in the face of physical danger, and his pursuit of advanced education while serving on active duty reflects his personal discipline and mental resolve. CW5 Slover’s story ultimately endures, not only as a historic honor, but as a testament to a life shaped by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
About Norwich University
Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu
NORTHFIELD, Vt. – 2.26.2026
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