Moments of national recognition often reveal the quiet communities that stand behind America’s most elite warriors. That dynamic is unfolding now after President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, a member of the U.S. Army’s legendary 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment—the Night Stalkers. In response, Nine Line Apparel and the Night Stalker Foundation have launched a national fundraising effort aimed at supporting the men and families connected to one of the military’s most secretive units.
For most Americans, the Night Stalkers exist almost entirely in the shadows. Officially known as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the unit provides the helicopter support that makes many of the most dangerous special operations missions possible. Their aircraft fly low, fast, and often in complete darkness, inserting and extracting elite operators in environments where a single mistake can mean catastrophe. Their unofficial motto—“Night Stalkers Don’t Quit”—reflects a culture built around endurance and precision in the most hostile conditions imaginable.
The Legacy of the Night Stalkers.
Learn more about Medal of Honor recipient Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover’s elite unit from this Army 250 Concert special featuring Dennis Quaid. pic.twitter.com/Dgh9v6WPWM
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) February 25, 2026
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover’s actions during the raid that captured deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro demonstrate exactly what that culture looks like in practice. Serving as the flight lead while piloting the lead MH-47 helicopter, Slover flew directly into heavy machine-gun fire during the mission. According to accounts of the operation, he suffered four gunshot wounds to the leg as enemy fire struck the aircraft.
Yet the mission did not stop.
Despite the injuries, Slover maintained control of the helicopter long enough to land the aircraft and allow assault forces to disembark and continue the raid. Even more remarkably, he continued flying, identifying enemy gun positions and maneuvering the helicopter so the door gunner could return fire and neutralize the threat.
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award, reserved for acts of extraordinary courage beyond the call of duty. According to Night Stalker Foundation chairman and former battalion commander Bill Golden, Slover may be the first member of the Night Stalkers ever to receive the decoration.
The recognition has created a rare public spotlight for a unit that typically avoids attention. The Night Stalker Foundation exists partly to fill that gap. The organization provides scholarships for the children of fallen operators, support for wounded service members, and assistance for veterans transitioning from the relentless tempo of special operations into civilian life.
That transition, Golden notes, can be one of the hardest missions of all. Operators who spend years in high-risk, tightly focused environments often face challenges adjusting to corporate or civilian careers after leaving the military.
Former Night Stalker Tyler Merritt knows that challenge firsthand. Now the CEO of Nine Line Apparel, Merritt has used his company to support the foundation and highlight the needs of the Night Stalker community. The limited-edition shirts being sold through the fundraiser are designed to channel public appreciation into tangible support for service members and their families.
