Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump on Thursday presented the Medal of Honor to Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski, recalling the Navy SEAL's heroism in a 2002 combat mission during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan when his teammate was thrown out of a helicopter.

"Today we induct a new name into the world's most exclusive gathering of heroes," Trump said as he introduced Slabinski.

Under Slabinski's leadership, the team returned to the enemy stronghold on a "steep, icy mountain" to rescue their teammate.

"Britt and his team didn't even hesitate for a moment ... they went back to that mountain ... they jumped out onto a furious onslaught of machine gun fire ... and charged uphill toward the enemy," Trump said.

In the face of dangerous air fire and a "treacherous descent," Slabinski "tended to the wounded and coordinated their escape."

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