On Monday morning President Obama presented the Medal of Honor to U.S. Navy Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr., for actions in Afghanistan.
Senior Chief Byers received his honor for his actions during a hostage rescue of an American civilian as part of Operation Enduring Freedom on Dec. 8, 2012.
As noted by the Department of Defense, Byers is the first living active duty member of the U.S. Navy to receive the Medal of Honor since Apr. 6, 1976, when Rear Admiral James Stockdale and Lieutenant Thomas Norris (also a SEAL) each received the decoration from President Gerald Ford.
Byers is the 6th SEAL in history to receive the Medal of Honor and only two Navy service members– Lieutenant Michael Murphy and Petty Officer Michael Monsoor, both SEALs — have received the award for actions since Vietnam War, and both of those awards were posthumous.
You can read the full citation and Senior Chief Byers’ biography here.
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