Washington, DC - Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr., for his courageous actions while serving in Afghanistan, will be presented the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama during a White House ceremony Feb. 29, 11:10 a.m. EST.
Byers will receive the honor for his rescue efforts during a hostage situation during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. He is only the 11th living service member to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery displayed in Afghanistan.
The White House ceremony will be available for viewing online at http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/byers-wh.html.
Byers will also be recognized for his accomplishments during a "Hall of Heroes" ceremony at the Pentagon March 1, 1:30 p.m. EST. This ceremony will be available for viewing online at http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/byers-hoh.html.
Byers, a native of Toledo, Ohio, joined the Navy in September 1998. After graduating from Hospital Corpsman School at Great Lakes, he completed the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL course and the Special Operations Combat Medic course in 2003.
He completed tours at Great Lakes Naval Hospital 2nd Battalion and 2nd Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was assigned to East Coast SEAL teams and completed eight overseas deployments with seven combat tours.
Byers is also the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" device, two awards of the Purple Heart, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor device, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" device, two additional awards of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two awards of the Combat Action Ribbon, three Presidential Unit Citations, two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, two Navy Unit Commendations, and five Good Conduct Medals.
Additional information on Byers and previous Navy Medal of Honor awardees can be found at http://www.navy.mil/moh.
The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while:
* engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
* engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
* serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
