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Washington CNN  — 

Amid a White House reeling from Tuesday’s bombshell courtroom dramas of Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump turned his attention to his role as commander in chief Wednesday afternoon, presenting the Medal of Honor to Tech. Sgt. John Chapman.

Chapman, a member of the US Air Force, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for “extraordinary heroism” in March 2002 during the Battle of Takur Ghar in Afghanistan, per the Air Force official website.

Trump called Chapman a “great warrior” as he told attendees about the airman’s efforts in the battle.

After his aircraft came under enemy fire, a teammate was ejected and the helicopter crash-landed, Chapman and his team members returned to Takur Ghar mountain to rescue their teammate.

At 10,000 feet, Chapman “charged into enemy fire through harrowing conditions, seized an enemy bunker and killed its enemy occupants. He then moved from cover to engage a machine gun firing on his team from a second bunker. While engaging this position, he was severely wounded by enemy gunfire. Despite severe wounds, he continued to fight relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before paying the ultimate sacrifice,” according to a statement from the White House.

“As John fired on the second bunker he was shot and fell to the ground and lost consciousness,” Trump said, noting that once Chapman regained consciousness, he continued to fight.

“He really fought. Good genes, you have good genes,” he said as Chapman’s family looked on.

The President continued, “In his final act of supreme courage, John gave his life for his fellow warriors.”

Trump said Chapman’s actions that day helped save the lives more than 20 American service members, many of whom were in attendance in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, including Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski, who had received the Medal of Honor in May.

Chapman is the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor for actions conducted since the Vietnam War, according to the Air Force.

“Airmen live their lives based on the core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do,” Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson said in a statement.

She continued, “It was these values that Tech. Sgt. Chapman demonstrated in combat alongside his joint partners during decisive and defining moments on a hill in Afghanistan more than 14 years ago. He will forever serve as an example of what it means to be an Airman for us all.”

His widow, Valerie Nessel, accepted the honor on his behalf on Wednesday, the 26th anniversary of their marriage. She received a raucous standing ovation.

Chapman “would want to recognize the other men that lost their lives,” his wife told the Air Force. “Even though he did something he was awarded the Medal of Honor for, he would not want the other guys to be forgotten – that they were part of the team together. I think he would say that his Medal of Honor was not just for him, but for all of the guys who were lost.”