Edward Byers

{{Short description|US Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient (born 1979)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox military person |name= Edward Byers |image= Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward C. Byers, Jr., poses for his official portrait. (25302793012).jpg |image_size= 250px |alt= |caption= Official portrait of Byers in March 1, 2016 |nickname= |birth_date= {{birth date and age|1979|8|4}} |birth_place= Toledo, Ohio, United States |death_date= |death_place= |burial_place= |allegiance= United States |branch= United States Navy |service_years= 1998–2020 |rank= Command master chief petty officer |unit= DEVGRU |commands= |battles= War in Afghanistan Iraq War |awards= Medal of Honor {{nowrap|Bronze Star Medal with Valor device (5)}} Purple Heart (2) Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor device Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor device (3) |relations= |other_work= }} '''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.

==Early life and education== Born in Toledo, Ohio, growing up in Grand Rapids, Byers graduated from Otsego High School in Tontogany, Ohio, in 1997.<ref>{{cite news |first=Zack |last=Lemon |title=Hometown hero talks of war, service, community |url=http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2017/02/03/Hometown-hero-talks-of-war-service-community.html |work=The Blade |location=Toledo, Ohio |date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }} {{cite news |first=Lissa |last=Guyton |title=Otsego students watch as 1997 graduate is given the military's highest honor |url=http://www.13abc.com/home/headlines/Grand-Rapids-native-awarded-the-militarys-highest-honor-by-President-Obama-370556821.html |work=WTVG |location=Toledo, Ohio |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{cite news |first=Tim |last=Miller |title=Toledo-born Edward Byers Jr. awarded Medal of Honor |url=http://www.wtol.com/story/31347167/toledo-born-edward-byers-jr-awarded-medal-of-honor |work=WTOL |location=Toledo, Ohio |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> He is a Roman Catholic.<ref>[http://pilotonline.com/news/military/local/navy-seal-must-step-out-of-the-shadows-to-receive/article_56e8586a-b24e-5b23-a9b7-f395377deb3a.html "Navy SEAL must step out of the shadows to receive Medal of Honor"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301095049/http://pilotonline.com/news/military/local/navy-seal-must-step-out-of-the-shadows-to-receive/article_56e8586a-b24e-5b23-a9b7-f395377deb3a.html |date=March 1, 2016 }}, pilotonline.com; accessed March 1, 2016. {{cite news |agency=Catholic News Service |author= |title=Catholic Navy SEAL given Medal of Honor for heroic action in Afghanistan |url=http://catholicphilly.com/2016/03/news/national-news/catholic-navy-seal-given-medal-of-honor-for-heroic-action-in-afghanistan/ |work=Catholic Philly |location=Philadelphia |date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> His father is a World War II Navy veteran.<ref name=DelOCT2016>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Jerry |date=October 28, 2016 |title=Medal of Honor recipient: Delaware veterans embody spirit of medal |url=http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2016/10/28/medal-honor-recipient-delaware-veterans-embody-spirit-medal/92889262/ |newspaper=The News Journal |location=Delaware |access-date=January 1, 2017 }} {{cite news |last=Gunty |first=Christopher |date=May 18, 2016 |title=Role of faithful addressed at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast |url=http://www.catholicreview.org/blogs/behind-the-headlines/2016/05/18/role-of-faithful-addressed-at-national-catholic-prayer-breakfast |newspaper=Catholic Review |access-date=January 3, 2017 |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225103340/http://www.catholicreview.org/blogs/behind-the-headlines/2016/05/18/role-of-faithful-addressed-at-national-catholic-prayer-breakfast |url-status=dead }}</ref> While in his youth, he was a scout in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of first class.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sparling |first=Gretchen |date=March 3, 2016 |title=Medal of Honor recipient got his start in Scouting |url=http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2016/03/03/medal-of-honor-recipient-got-his-start-in-scouting/ |newspaper=Bryan on Scouting |access-date=January 3, 2017 }} {{cite news |last=Malcolm |first=Andrew |date=March 1, 2016 |title=America's Newest Hero, Edward Byers: Shielding a hostage while killing a guard |url=http://www.investors.com/uncategorized/americas-newest-hero-edward-byers-medal-of-honor/ |newspaper=Investor's Business Daily |access-date=January 3, 2017 }}</ref>

==Naval career== 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}}.<ref name="AHBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/byers.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227101517/http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/byers.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 27, 2016|title=Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL)Edward C. Byers Jr., USN|publisher=Navy.mil|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> He attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2002 and graduated with BUD/S Class 242. Following SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), he received the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 5326 as a Combatant Swimmer (SEAL), entitled to wear the Special Warfare insignia.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jaspreet |last=Kaur |title=Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor Recipient Accepts $50,000 Donation |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Navy-SEAL-Edward-Byers-Coronado-Donations-Marine-Corps-Afghanistan-Shamrock-Foods-384945361.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423232516/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Navy-SEAL-Edward-Byers-Coronado-Donations-Marine-Corps-Afghanistan-Shamrock-Foods-384945361.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2018-04-23 |work=KNSD |location=San Diego |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> In 2003, Byers attended the Special Operations Combat Medic course.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jenny |last=Bourne |title=San Diego-based U.S. Navy SEAL awarded the Medal of Honor |url=http://www.kusi.com/san-diego-based-us-navy-seal-awarded-the-medal-of-honor/ |work=KUSI |location=San Diego |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> He was assigned to his first SEAL team in May 2004.<ref name=VA2016 />

Byers served 11 overseas deployments, including nine combat tours, deploying multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref name="Stripes">{{cite web|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/navy/navy-seal-to-receive-medal-of-honor-monday-tells-his-story-1.396290|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227105833/http://www.stripes.com/news/navy/navy-seal-to-receive-medal-of-honor-monday-tells-his-story-1.396290|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-02-27|title=Navy SEAL, to receive Medal of Honor Monday, tells his story|publisher=Stars and Stripes|date=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref name="WashPost0228"/> Over the course of those deployments Byers received five Bronze Star Medals with a valor device, and two Purple Hearts.<ref name=VA2016>{{cite web |url=https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/26099/u-s-navy-seal-awarded-the-medal-of-honor-for-actions-in-afghanistan/ |title=U.S. Navy SEAL awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan |last=Heintz |first=Melissa |date=February 29, 2016 |website=VAntage Point |publisher=United States Department of Veterans Affairs |access-date=April 23, 2018 |quote= Byers has served in 11 overseas deployments, nine combat tours and has received two Purple Hearts and five Bronze Star Medals with Valor device.}}</ref><ref name=WP2FEB2016 /><ref name=DVSOH2017 />

In December 2014, General Martin Dempsey "strongly recommended" Byers for the Medal of Honor.<ref>{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Meghann |date=February 2, 2016 |title=Navy SEAL to receive Medal of Honor for U.S. civilian rescue in Afghanistan |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2016/02/02/navy-seal-to-receive-medal-of-honor-for-u-s-civilian-rescue-in-afghanistan/ |work=Navy Times |access-date=April 23, 2018 }} {{cite news |last1=Vanden Brook |first1=Tom |last2=Korte |first2=Gregory |date=February 3, 2016 |title=Dramatic Taliban hostage rescue earns Navy SEAL the Medal of Honor |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/02/02/navy-seal-edward-byers-medal-of-honor-taliban-hostage-rescue-afghanistan/76977748/ |work=USA Today |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> On February 29, 2016, President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor to Byers during a ceremony at the White House.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/29/remarks-president-medal-honor-presentation-senior-chief-edward-byers-jr|title=Remarks by the President at Medal of Honor Presentation to Senior Chief Edward Byers, Jr., U.S. Navy|date=February 29, 2016|access-date=March 7, 2016 |publisher=The White House: Office of the Press Secretary}}</ref> Byers is the sixth SEAL to receive the Medal of Honor.<ref name=DelOCT2016 /> Byers was assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group, also known as SEAL Team Six, when he was presented the Medal of Honor.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dozier |first=Kimberly |date=February 29, 2016 |title=Is This a Hero SEAL's Final Mission? |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-this-a-hero-seals-final-mission |work=Daily Beast |access-date=April 23, 2018 }} {{cite news |author= |title="Consummate, quiet professional:" Navy SEAL receives Medal of Honor at White House ceremony |agency=CNN Wire Service |url=http://fox6now.com/2016/02/29/consummate-quiet-professional-navy-seal-receives-medal-of-honor-at-white-house-ceremony/ |work=WITI |location=Milwaukee |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Byers is the first member of the unit to receive the Medal of Honor for an action as a unit member.<ref name="WashPost0228" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Wentzel |first=Alyssa |title=Navy SEAL receives Medal of Honor from President Obama |url=http://www.smudailycampus.com/news/navy-seal-receives-medal-of-honor-from |work=The Daily Campus |location=Southern Methodist University |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }} {{cite news |agency=Washington Post |first=Matt |last=White |title=It's rare, but latest Medal of Honor recipient wants to go back to war |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/navy/it-s-rare-but-latest-medal-of-honor-recipient-wants-to-go-back-to-war-1.397403 |work=Stars and Stripes |date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> The next month, Byers requested to return to his SEAL team.<ref>{{cite news |last=White |first=Matt |date=March 3, 2016 |title=The latest Medal of Honor recipient wants to go back to war. Why that's a rarity. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/03/03/the-latest-medal-of-honor-recipient-wants-to-be-the-first-to-return-to-combat-since-vietnam/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=December 30, 2016 }}</ref>

In November 2017, Byers was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.<ref name=DVSOH2017>{{cite web |url=http://dvs.ohio.gov/main/veterans-hall-of-fame-honorees-class-2017.html |title=Class of 2017 |author= |website=Department of Veterans Services |publisher=State of Ohio |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=NBC4>{{cite news |last=Reitzel |first=Rick |date=November 9, 2017 |title=Medal of Honor recipient inducted into Ohio Military Veterans Hall of Fame with 19 others |url=http://www.nbc4i.com/news/politics/medal-of-honor-recipient-inducted-into-ohio-military-veterans-hall-of-fame-with-19-others/1096258579 |work=WCMH-TV |location=Columbus, Ohio |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> In August 2017, Byers joined fellow Medal of Honor recipient Hershel W. Williams at the launching ceremony for a ship named after Williams.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=NASSCO News Means New Jobs for Seafarers |url=https://www.seafarers.org/seafarerslog/2016/September2016/September2016Log.pdf |work=Seafarers LOG |issn=1086-4636 |location=Camp Springs, Maryland |date=September 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }} {{cite news |author= |title=Navy Launches USNS Hershel 'Woody' Williams |url=https://www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-flagship/news/quarterdeck/navy-launches-usns-hershel-woody-williams/article_629d080c-fa52-5f10-8926-d4abb4c9640d.html |work=The Flagship |location=Norfolk, Virginia |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> In May 2018, Byers was selected for promotion to master chief petty officer;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2018/NAV18115.txt |title=FY-19 NAVY ACTIVE-DUTY E9 SELECTION BOARD RESULTS |author=CNO WASHINGTON DC |date=May 9, 2018 |website=Bureau of Personnel |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=May 26, 2018 |archive-date=May 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527023000/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2018/NAV18115.txt |url-status=dead }} {{cite news |author= |date=May 9, 2018 |title=US Navy master chief petty officer FY-19 promotion list |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us-navy-master-chief-petty-officer-fy-19-promotion-list-1.526143 |work=Stars & Stripes |access-date=June 20, 2019 }}</ref> during that same month Byers was in attendance when Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski was presented with his Medal of Honor.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Hope Hodge |last1=Seck |first2=Matthew |last2=Cox |date=May 24, 2018 |title='Outmanned, Outgunned and Fighting': Navy SEAL Britt Slabinski Receives Medal of Honor |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/britt-slabinski-medal-honor-trump |work=Task & Purpose |publisher=Grid North |access-date=May 30, 2018 }}</ref> By July 2018, Byers had received his promotion to master chief.<ref>{{cite news |last=Henry |first=Marcus |date=July 6, 2018 |title=Master Chief Petty Officer Edward C. Byers, Jr. Byers' citation placed on the Medal of Honor wall. |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4547320/master-chief-petty-officer-edward-c-byers-jr-byers-citation-placed-medal-honor-wall |work=Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River |publisher=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |access-date=February 19, 2019 }} </ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-captured-by-terrorist-group-taliban-dilip-joseph-survived-to-tell-his-tale|title=Former hostage recalls Taliban "morality"|work=cbs news|date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref name="AHBio"/><ref name="WashPost0228"/>

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 {{convert|75|ft}} 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.<ref name="Stripes"/>

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 where the American hostage was. 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.<ref name="WashPost0228"/>

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.<ref name="Stripes"/><ref name="WashPost0228">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/02/28/a-seal-team-6-member-must-step-out-of-the-shadows-to-receive-the-medal-of-honor|title=A SEAL Team 6 member must step out of the shadows to receive the Medal of Honor|work=Washington Post|date=February 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Phil |last=Davison |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/nicolas-checque-soldier-whose-death-raised-awkward-questions-8434226.html|title=Nicolas Checque: Soldier whose death raised awkward questions|work=Independent|location=United Kingdom|date=January 1, 2013 |access-date=April 23, 2018}} {{cite news |first=Meghann |last=Myers |title=This Navy SEAL died on a secret mission. And his family fears they'll never get closure |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2016/04/09/this-navy-seal-died-on-a-secret-mission-and-his-family-fears-they-ll-never-get-closure/ |work=Navy Times |date=April 9, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref>

thumb|right|An Infographic depicting the December 2012 Rescue Operation.

====Citation==== 100px|left|alt=A light blue neck ribbon with a gold star shaped medallion hanging from it. The ribbon is similar in shape to a bowtie with 13 white stars in the center of the ribbon. <blockquote>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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/byers.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227101517/http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/byers.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 27, 2016|title=Medal of Honor: Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr., USN|author=Navy Production Directorate: Defense Media Activity|access-date=7 May 2016}}</ref></blockquote>

==Awards and decorations== {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |colspan="3"|212px |- |colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon with "V" device, 1st award.svg|width=106}}22px22px22px22px |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}21px |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon with "V" device, 1st award.svg|width=106}}22px22px |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=106}}22px22px |- |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 1st award.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Good Conduct Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px18px18px |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Navy Fleet Marine Force Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px18px |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px18px |- |{{Ribbon devices|type= service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=United States Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=United States Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg|width=106}} |- |colspan="3"|220px |- |} {|class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- !Badge |colspan="3"|Special Warfare Insignia |- !1st row |colspan="3"|Medal of Honor |- !2nd row |Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat "V" device and four 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 four 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 | colspan="3" |Naval Parachutist Badge |- |} *5 gold Service stripes.

While deployed with the 26th MEU, he earned the 55px Surface Warfare Enlisted badge and the 55px Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist device.<ref name="AHBio"/>

==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.<ref name=WP2FEB2016>{{cite news |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Lamothe |first2=Dan |first3=Julie |last3=Tate |date=February 2, 2016 |title=Navy SEAL to receive Medal of Honor for 2012 hostage rescue |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/02/02/navy-seal-to-receive-medal-of-honor-for-2012-hostage-rescue/ |work=Washington Post |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/02/president-obama-award-medal-honor|title=President Obama to Award the Medal of Honor|date=February 2, 2016|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=February 4, 2016}} {{cite magazine |author= |title=Testing His Mettle |url=http://thenorwichrecord.com/testing-his-mettle/ |magazine=Norwich Reach |publisher=Norwich University |access-date=April 23, 2018 |archive-date=April 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423170728/http://thenorwichrecord.com/testing-his-mettle/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Byers graduated from Norwich University and is documented as being part of the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies Class of 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.norwich.edu/digital/collection/p16663coll5/id/584/ |title=Guide to the Biographical Files Collection, B, circa 1840s-2010s, Bulk: 1900s-1990s |website=Norwich University Archives |publisher=Norwich University }}</ref> In February 2017, as a guest of Bob Latta, Byers attended joint session of congress.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Medal of Honor recipient Byers Jr. to join Latta at presidential address to Congress |url=http://www.sent-trib.com/news/medal-of-honor-recipient-byers-jr-to-join-latta-at/article_4e5acd32-fdd5-11e6-9b82-23d2fa07cedf.html |work=Sentinel-Tribune |location=Bowling Green, Ohio |date=February 28, 2017 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> In May 2017, Byers was an "honored guest" at a SEAL Family Foundation fundraiser in Rancho Santa Fe, California;<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Sixth Annual Fundraiser for SEAL Family Foundation |url=http://www.latimes.com/cm-rsf-navy-seal-gala-20170501-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date= May 3, 2017 |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref> later that year, he was inducted into the Ohio Military Veterans Hall of Fame.<ref name="NBC4"/> In 2018, Byers announced the creation of a new award, named after himself, at Otsego High School.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thomas-Baird |first=Marie |date=May 23, 2019 |title=Otsego awards first Byers award |url=https://www.sent-trib.com/news/otsego-awards-first-byers-award/article_ce45ec4c-7dc7-11e9-ada0-cb33dd481e57.html |work=Sentinel-Tribune |location=Bowling Green, Ohio |access-date=June 21, 2019 }}</ref>

In 2021, Byers earned a Master of Business Administration at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite news |date= 2019 |title=Education |url=https://pattillmanfoundation.org/meet-our-scholars/edward-byers/|newspaper=Pat Tillman Foundation |access-date=June 16, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date= 2022 |title=Navy SEAL Veteran and Wharton Graduate Exemplifies Grit, Gallantry, and Gratitude|url=https://alumni.wharton.upenn.edu/impact-story/navy-seal-veteran-and-wharton-graduate-exemplifies-grit-gallantry-and-gratitude/|page=Wharton Alumni |access-date=November 11, 2022 }}</ref>

Byers is married to Madison and they have one daughter, Hannah.<ref name="WashPost0228"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=93380 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303102145/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=93380 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |title=Medal of Honor Awardee Inducted into Pentagon's Hall of Heroes |last=Grant |first=April |date=March 1, 2016 |website=Navy Office of Information |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=April 23, 2018}} {{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Debbie |date=February 3, 2017 |title=Byers recalls his roots, faith in describing his SEAL journey |url=http://www.sent-trib.com/news/byers-recalls-his-roots-faith-in-describing-his-seal-journey/article_cebae566-ea1b-11e6-ac1f-b724c5b46316.html |work=Sentinel-Tribune |location=Bowling Green, Ohio |access-date=April 23, 2018 }}</ref>

In October 2024, Byers joined 15 other Medal of Honor recipients in publicly endorsing Donald Trump for president.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Singman |first1=Brooke |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/we-believe-donald-trump-more-than-dozen-medal-honor-recipients-endorse-former-president |title='We believe in Donald Trump': More than a dozen Medal of Honor recipients endorse former president |publisher=Fox News |date=12 October 2024 |access-date=October 12, 2024}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal bar|Biography}} {{commonscat}} *List of post-Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients *List of United States Navy SEALs

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== *{{USCongRec|2016|H1106|date=March 2, 2016}}

==External links== {{wikiquote}} *{{cite AV media |author1=Edward C. Byers, Jr. |author2=Steve Kendall |date=February 9, 2017 |title=Edward C. Byers, Jr. Medal of Honor Recipient |url=https://www.pbs.org/video/nw-ohio-journal-edward-c-byers-jr-medal-honor-recipient/ |location=Bowling Green State University |publisher=WBGU-TV }} *{{Hall of Valor|315785}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Byers, Edward}} Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:United States Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:Military personnel from Toledo, Ohio Category:United States Navy corpsmen Category:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients Category:United States Navy SEALs personnel Category:War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) recipients of the Medal of Honor Category:People from Wood County, Ohio Category:Catholics from Ohio