Medal of Honor: Edward C. Byers Jr. – Afghanistan – December 8–9, 2012

Name: Edward C. Byers Jr.
Rank: Chief Petty Officer (later Senior Chief, then Master Chief)
Organization: U.S. Navy
Unit: Naval Special Warfare – Hostage Rescue Force
Place and Date: Qarghah’i District, Laghman Province, Afghanistan – 8–9 December 2012
Entered Service At: Broadview Heights, Ohio – May 28, 1998
Born: August 4, 1979 – Toledo, Ohio
Departed: Survived
Accredited To: Ohio
Date of Issue: February 29, 2016

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Summary of Action

During a high-risk hostage rescue operation in eastern Afghanistan, Chief Edward C. Byers Jr. served as a key member of a Naval Special Warfare assault team tasked with recovering a kidnapped American doctor. As the rescue force neared the target compound, an enemy sentry spotted them and ran inside to alert his fellow captors. The lead assaulter attempted to neutralize the guard, and Byers sprinted forward with the team.

Reaching the structure, Byers—serving as primary breacher—placed himself in the doorway, fully exposed to enemy fire, while tearing down six layers of heavy blankets used as internal barriers. His actions cleared a path for the assault team. As the first man pushed through, he was struck and mortally wounded by enemy fire.

With total awareness of the lethal threat inside, Byers rushed into the room. He immediately engaged an enemy fighter aiming an AK-47 directly at him, eliminating the threat, then tackled another man moving toward the corner. In the violent struggle that followed, Byers confirmed the man was not the hostage and neutralized him.

Amid the chaos, teammates shouted for the captive. From inside the darkened room, Byers heard a voice reply in English. He sprinted toward it, threw himself bodily onto the American hostage, and shielded him from the intense gunfire passing through the confined space.

While covering the hostage with his own body, Byers seized yet another armed guard with his bare hands—holding and immobilizing the attacker until a teammate could eliminate him.

His actions, executed in seconds under extreme danger, saved the hostage’s life and protected the remaining assault team from overwhelming fire.

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Medal of Honor 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.