Edward Byers

Edward C. Byers Jr. (born August 4, 1979) is a retired United States Navy SEAL who received the Medal of Honor on February 29, 2016 for the rescue of a civilian in Afghanistan in 2012. Byers retired after 21 years of service on September 19, 2019 at the Washington Navy Yard.

Edward Byers
Born (1979-08-04) August 4, 1979
Toledo, Ohio, United States
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1998–2019
RankCommand master chief petty officer
UnitSEAL Team Six
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
Iraq War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal with Valor device (4)
Purple Heart (2)
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor device
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor device (3)

Early life and education

Born in Toledo, Ohio, growing up in Grand Rapids, Byers graduated from Otsego High School in Tontogany, Ohio in 1997.[1] He is a Roman Catholic.[2] His father is a World War II Navy veteran.[3] While in his youth, he was a scout in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of first class.[4]

Byers enlisted in the United States Navy in September 1998 and went on to serve as a hospital corpsman. Byers first served at Great Lakes Naval Hospital and was later attached to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, in 1999 and deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard USS Austin (LPD-4).[5] He attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2002 and graduated with BUD/S Class 242.[6] In 2003, Byers attended the Special Operations Combat Medic course.[7] He was assigned to his first SEAL team in May 2004.[8]

Byers served 11 overseas deployments including nine combat tours, deploying multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan.[9][10] Over the course of those deployments Byers received four Bronze Star Medals with a valor device, and two Purple Hearts.[8][11][12]

In December 2014, General Martin Dempsey "strongly recommended" Byers for the Medal of Honor.[13] On February 29, 2016, President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor to Byers during a ceremony at the White House.[14] Byers is the sixth SEAL to receive the Medal of Honor.[3] Byers was assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group, also known as SEAL Team Six, when he was presented the Medal of Honor.[15] Byers is the first member of the unit to receive the Medal of Honor for an action as a unit member.[10][16] The next month, Byers requested to return to his SEAL team.[17]

In November 2017, Byers was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.[12][18] In August 2017, Byers joined fellow Medal of Honor recipient Hershel W. Williams at the launching ceremony for a ship named after Williams.[19] In May 2018, Byers was selected for promotion to master chief petty officer;[20] during that same month Byers was in attendance when Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski was presented with his Medal of Honor.[21] By July 2018, Byers had received his promotion to master chief.[22]

Medal of Honor action
Byers receiving the Medal of Honor from U.S. President Barack Obama, 2016.
Byers in Afghanistan.

On December 5, 2012, American physician Dr. Dilip Joseph, who had been working with an aid organization, was captured by the Taliban along with two Afghans while returning to their base in Kabul.[23] The U.S. military gathered intelligence on where Dr. Joseph was being held. The commanders were concerned that the hostages might be moved to a new hideout or killed as early as December 9, 2012.[5][10]

On the night of December 8, 2012, Byers and his unit were inserted by helicopter in Qarghah'i District of Laghman Province, eastern Afghanistan. They hiked more than four hours over difficult terrain to reach the compound where the Taliban were holding the hostages. Despite the darkness, an armed guard spotted the SEALs within roughly 75 feet (23 m) of the compound and raised an alarm. Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque sprinted forward, killed the guard and entered the compound, with Byers just steps behind.[9]

Once inside the compound, Checque was shot by a Taliban fighter from within the single room where the hostages were held. Undeterred, Byers burst into the room, shooting dead an armed Taliban fighter. Byers tackled and straddled another insurgent who was scrambling to the corner of the room to get a rifle. Byers adjusted his night vision goggles to see whether he was the American hostage. When Joseph called out to Byers, Byers killed the insurgent he was straddling and then hurled himself on top of Joseph to protect him from harm. At the same time, Byers pinned another militant to the wall with a hand to the throat until another SEAL shot him.[10]

Byers, the unit's medic, attempted to resuscitate Checque on the ground and during a 40-minute flight to Bagram Airfield without success. Checque was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions.[9][10][24]

An Infographic depicting the December 2012 Rescue Operation.

Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Hostage Rescue Force Team Member in Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 8 to 9 December 2012. As the rescue force approached the target building, an enemy sentry detected them and darted inside to alert his fellow captors. The sentry quickly reemerged, and the lead assaulter attempted to neutralize him. Chief Byers with his team sprinted to the door of the target building. As the primary breacher, Chief Byers stood in the doorway fully exposed to enemy fire while ripping down six layers of heavy blankets fastened to the inside ceiling and walls to clear a path for the rescue force. The first assaulter pushed his way through the blankets, and was mortally wounded by enemy small arms fire from within. Chief Byers, completely aware of the imminent threat, fearlessly rushed into the room and engaged an enemy guard aiming an AK-47 at him. He then tackled another adult male who had darted towards the corner of the room. During the ensuing hand-to-hand struggle, Chief Byers confirmed the man was not the hostage and engaged him. As other rescue team members called out to the hostage, Chief Byers heard a voice respond in English and raced toward it. He jumped atop the American hostage and shielded him from the high volume of fire within the small room. While covering the hostage with his body, Chief Byers immobilized another guard with his bare hands, and restrained the guard until a teammate could eliminate him. His bold and decisive actions under fire saved the lives of the hostage and several of his teammates. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of near certain death, Chief Petty Officer Byers reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[25]

Awards and decorations
Badge Special Warfare Insignia
1st row Medal of Honor
2nd row Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat "V" device and three Gold 5/16 inch award stars Purple Heart with one 5/16 inch award star Meritorious Service Medal
3rd row Joint Service Commendation Medal w/ Combat "V" device Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Combat "V" device and two 5/16 inch award stars (one award for Combat Valor) Combat Action Ribbon w/ two 5/16 inch award stars
4th row Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze 3/16 service stars Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster Navy Unit Commendation
5th row Battle "E" award Navy Good Conduct Medal with one silver and one bronze 3/16 service stars Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
6th row National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three 3/16 service stars Iraq Campaign Medal with two 3/16 service stars
7th row Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 silver and 2 bronze 3/16 service stars
8th row NATO Medal (ISAF) Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal
Badge Naval Parachutist Badge
Badge Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

While deployed with the 26th MEU, he earned the Surface Warfare Enlisted badge and the Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist device.[5]

Personal life

Byers is a licensed paramedic and attended Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, finishing his education to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in strategic studies and defense analysis.[11][26] Byers graduated from Norwich University and is documented as being part of the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies Class of 2016.[27] In February 2017, as a guest of Bob Latta, Byers attended joint session of congress.[28] In May 2017, Byers was an "honored guest" at a SEAL Family Foundation fundraiser in Rancho Santa Fe, California;[29] later that year, he was inducted into the Ohio Military Veterans Hall of Fame.[18] In 2018, Byers announced the creation of a new award, named after himself, at Otsego High School.[30]

Byers is married to Madison and they have one daughter, Hannah.[10][31]

Byers is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.[32]

See also

References
  1. Lemon, Zack (February 3, 2017). "Hometown hero talks of war, service, community". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    Guyton, Lissa (February 29, 2016). "Otsego students watch as 1997 graduate is given the military's highest honor". WTVG. Toledo, Ohio. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    Miller, Tim (February 29, 2016). "Toledo-born Edward Byers Jr. awarded Medal of Honor". WTOL. Toledo, Ohio. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  2. "Navy SEAL must step out of the shadows to receive Medal of Honor", pilotonline.com; accessed March 1, 2016.
    "Catholic Navy SEAL given Medal of Honor for heroic action in Afghanistan". Catholic Philly. Philadelphia. Catholic News Service. March 2, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  3. Smith, Jerry (October 28, 2016). "Medal of Honor recipient: Delaware veterans embody spirit of medal". The News Journal. Delaware. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
    Gunty, Christopher (May 18, 2016). "Role of faithful addressed at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast". Catholic Review. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  4. Sparling, Gretchen (March 3, 2016). "Medal of Honor recipient got his start in Scouting". Bryan on Scouting. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
    Malcolm, Andrew (March 1, 2016). "America's Newest Hero, Edward Byers: Shielding a hostage while killing a guard". Investor's Business Daily. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  5. "Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL)Edward C. Byers Jr., USN". Navy.mil. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  6. Kaur, Jaspreet (February 29, 2016). "Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor Recipient Accepts $50,000 Donation". KNSD. San Diego. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  7. Bourne, Jenny (February 29, 2016). "San Diego-based U.S. Navy SEAL awarded the Medal of Honor". KUSI. San Diego. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  8. Heintz, Melissa (February 29, 2016). "U.S. Navy SEAL awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan". VAntage Point. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved April 23, 2018. Byers has served in 11 overseas deployments, nine combat tours and has received two Purple Hearts and five Bronze Star Medals with Valor device.
  9. "Navy SEAL, to receive Medal of Honor Monday, tells his story". Stars and Stripes. February 26, 2016.
  10. "A SEAL Team 6 member must step out of the shadows to receive the Medal of Honor". Washington Post. February 28, 2016.
  11. Gibbons-Neff, Thomas; Lamothe, Dan; Tate, Julie (February 2, 2016). "Navy SEAL to receive Medal of Honor for 2012 hostage rescue". Washington Post. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  12. "Class of 2017". Department of Veterans Services. State of Ohio. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  13. Myers, Meghann (February 2, 2016). "Navy SEAL to receive Medal of Honor for U.S. civilian rescue in Afghanistan". Navy Times. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    Vanden Brook, Tom; Korte, Gregory (February 3, 2016). "Dramatic Taliban hostage rescue earns Navy SEAL the Medal of Honor". USA Today. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  14. "Remarks by the President at Medal of Honor Presentation to Senior Chief Edward Byers, Jr., U.S. Navy". The White House: Office of the Press Secretary. February 29, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  15. Dozier, Kimberly (February 29, 2016). "Is This a Hero SEAL's Final Mission?". Daily Beast. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    ""Consummate, quiet professional:" Navy SEAL receives Medal of Honor at White House ceremony". WITI. Milwaukee. CNN Wire Service. February 29, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  16. Wentzel, Alyssa (February 29, 2016). "Navy SEAL receives Medal of Honor from President Obama". The Daily Campus. Southern Methodist University. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    White, Matt (March 3, 2016). "It's rare, but latest Medal of Honor recipient wants to go back to war". Stars and Stripes. Washington Post. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  17. White, Matt (March 3, 2016). "The latest Medal of Honor recipient wants to go back to war. Why that's a rarity". Washington Post. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  18. Reitzel, Rick (November 9, 2017). "Medal of Honor recipient inducted into Ohio Military Veterans Hall of Fame with 19 others". WCMH-TV. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  19. "NASSCO News Means New Jobs for Seafarers" (PDF). Seafarers LOG. Camp Springs, Maryland. September 2016. ISSN 1086-4636. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    "Navy Launches USNS Hershel 'Woody' Williams". The Flagship. Norfolk, Virginia. August 24, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  20. CNO WASHINGTON DC (May 9, 2018). "FY-19 NAVY ACTIVE-DUTY E9 SELECTION BOARD RESULTS". Bureau of Personnel. United States Navy. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
    "US Navy master chief petty officer FY-19 promotion list". Stars & Stripes. May 9, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  21. Seck, Hope Hodge; Cox, Matthew (May 24, 2018). "'Outmanned, Outgunned and Fighting': Navy SEAL Britt Slabinski Receives Medal of Honor". Task & Purpose. Grid North. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  22. Henry, Marcus (July 6, 2018). "Master Chief Petty Officer Edward C. Byers, Jr. Byers' citation placed on the Medal of Honor wall". Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  23. "Former hostage recalls Taliban "morality"". cbs news. October 15, 2014.
  24. Davison, Phil (January 1, 2013). "Nicolas Checque: Soldier whose death raised awkward questions". Independent. United Kingdom. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    Myers, Meghann (April 9, 2016). "This Navy SEAL died on a secret mission. And his family fears they'll never get closure". Navy Times. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  25. Navy Production Directorate: Defense Media Activity. "Medal of Honor: Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr., USN". Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  26. "President Obama to Award the Medal of Honor". whitehouse.gov. February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
    "Testing His Mettle". Norwich Reach. Norwich University. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  27. "Guide to the Biographical Files Collection, B, circa 1840s-2010s, Bulk: 1900s-1990s". Norwich University Archives. Norwich University.
  28. "Medal of Honor recipient Byers Jr. to join Latta at presidential address to Congress". Sentinel-Tribune. Bowling Green, Ohio. February 28, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  29. "Sixth Annual Fundraiser for SEAL Family Foundation". Los Angeles Times. May 3, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  30. Thomas-Baird, Marie (May 23, 2019). "Otsego awards first Byers award". Sentinel-Tribune. Bowling Green, Ohio. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  31. Grant, April (March 1, 2016). "Medal of Honor Awardee Inducted into Pentagon's Hall of Heroes". Navy Office of Information. United States Navy. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    Rogers, Debbie (February 3, 2017). "Byers recalls his roots, faith in describing his SEAL journey". Sentinel-Tribune. Bowling Green, Ohio. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  32. "Education". Pat Tillman Foundation. 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2020.

Further reading
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