President Donald Trump on Thursday presented the Medal of Honor to retired Navy SEAL Britt Slabinski, saying that "through your actions, you demonstrated that there is no love more pure and no courage more great than the love and courage that burns in the hearts of American patriots."
"We are free because warriors like you are willing to give their sweat, their blood — and if they have to — their lives for our great nation."
Slabinski, who retired from the Navy as a Master Chief Special Warfare Operator in 2014, led a March 2002 assault and rescue mission amid heavy al-Qaida gunfire on a snowy mountaintop in Afghanistan in what has become known as "the Battle of Roberts Ridge."
Slabinski carried a seriously wounded SEAL team member during a steep-hill descent in waist-deep snow while continuing to call fire on al-Qaida terrorists.
"They would be outmanned, outgunned and fighting uphill on a steep, icy mountain," Trump said.
Navy SEAL Neil Roberts, for whom the battle is named, was the first casualty of the attack — and six others were killed. Twelve others were injured.
Trump also saluted seven other SEALs who survived the attack.
"It's an honor to have you accept our nation's profound sorrow and a deep love and ever-lasting gratitude," Trump said to the Gold Star families present. "These were incredible, incredible men.
"You can be proud that they were in your family and they are looking down right now — and they are very, very proud of you."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.