Born on December 1, 1969, in Northampton, Massachusetts, Slabinski enlisted in the Navy in 1988. After completing Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 1990, he served in various SEAL units and eventually became a member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, commonly known as SEAL Team Six.

During Operation Anaconda in March 2002, Slabinski was leading a reconnaissance team tasked with establishing an observation point on Takur Ghar, a 10,000-foot mountain. The team’s helicopter was hit by enemy fire and Petty Officer Neil Roberts fell out. The damaged helicopter crash-landed in the valley below.

Despite the heavy enemy fire, Slabinski made the decision to lead his team back up the mountain in an attempt to rescue Roberts. Upon reaching the peak, they came under attack from a larger enemy force. Slabinski repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to engage the enemy and move wounded team members to safety. Despite the intensity of the battle and the loss of team members, Slabinski continued to lead and encourage his team.

For his actions, Slabinski initially received the Navy Cross, the second-highest military decoration for valor. However, after a review of valor awards in 2016, his Navy Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which he received from President Donald Trump in a ceremony at the White House on May 24, 2018.

After retiring from the Navy in 2014, Slabinski has worked to help veterans and their families. He is recognized for his courage, leadership, and commitment to his team under the most challenging circumstances.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while assigned to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In the early morning of 4 March 2002, Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Slabinski led a reconnaissance team to its assigned area atop a 10,000-foot snow-covered mountain. Their insertion helicopter was suddenly riddled with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire from previously undetected enemy positions. The crippled helicopter lurched violently and ejected one teammate onto the mountain before the pilots were forced to crash land in the valley far below. Senior Chief Slabinski boldly rallied his five remaining team members and marshalled supporting assets for an assault to rescue their stranded teammate. During reinsertion the team came under fire from three directions, and one teammate started moving uphill toward an enemy strongpoint. Without regard for his own safety, Senior Chief Slabinski charged directly toward enemy fire to join his teammate. Together, they fearlessly assaulted and cleared the first bunker they encountered. The enemy then unleashed a hail of machine gun fire from a second hardened position only twenty meters away. Senior Chief Slabinski repeatedly exposed himself to deadly fire to personally engage the second enemy bunker and orient his team’s fires in the furious, close-quarters firefight. Proximity made air support impossible, and after several teammates became casualties, the situation became untenable. Senior Chief Slabinski maneuvered his team to a more defensible position, directed air strikes in very close proximity to his team’s position, and requested reinforcements. As daylight approached, accurate enemy mortar fire forced the team further down the sheer mountainside. Senior Chief Slabinski carried a seriously wounded teammate through deep snow and led a difficult trek across precipitous terrain while calling in fire on the enemy, which was engaging the team from the surrounding ridges. Throughout the next 14 hours, Senior Chief Slabinski stabilized the casualties and continued the fight against the enemy until the hill was secured and his team was extracted. By his undaunted courage, bold initiative, leadership, and devotion to duty, Senior Chief Slabinski reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service