A Catholic Navy SEAL with a strong devotion to St. Michael
the Archangel was awarded the Medal of Honor by President
Barack Obama at the White House Feb. 29.
The 36-year-old Ohio native, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer
Edward C. Byers Jr., rescued a civilian hostage in a remote
area of Eastern Afghanistan in December 2012.
At the White House ceremony, Obama introduced Byers, calling
him a “special breed of warrior that so often serves in the
shadows.
“The ethos – the creed – that guides every Navy SEAL says
this: ‘I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek
recognition for my actions.’ Which is another way of saying
that standing here today, in front of the entire nation, is
not Senior Chief Ed Byers’s idea of a good time.”
The nation’s highest military honor was awarded to Byers for,
as a military aide read,”… 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 Dec. 8-9, 2012.”
The aide continued, Byers “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 the 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.”
According to reports, Byers is the sixth Navy SEAL in history
to be awarded the Medal of Honor and the first living SEAL to
receive the honor since the Vietnam War.
In Obama’s introduction of Byers’ family, he welcomed his
wife, Madison, their daughter, Hannah, and Byers’ mother,
Peggy. Obama relayed that she “had one question when Ed told
her about this ceremony – ‘Do you think I can come?’ That’s
so sweet. Yes, mom, you’re allowed to come when your son gets
the Medal of Honor,” Obama said.
“Seal Senior Chief Edward Byers has demonstrated true heroism
both in rescuing a fellow citizen and in praying for his
deceased comrade,” said Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the
Archdiocese for Military Services. “His actions will continue
to inspire all of those who love our country and serve it so
selflessly. It is obvious that his patriotism and prayer are
motivated by his strong Catholic faith. May his story
strengthen all of us in our conviction to do what is right
and just. It is an honor to join the chorus of those who are
praising this Seal and all of his fellows.”
