1. Edward Byers's father is a World War II Navy veteran.
24 Facts About Edward Byers
1. 2.
Edward Byers enlisted in the United States Navy in September 1998 and went on to serve as a hospital corpsman.
3.
In 2003, Edward Byers attended the Special Operations Combat Medic course.
4.
Edward Byers was assigned to his first SEAL team in May 2004.
5.
Edward Byers served 11 overseas deployments, including nine combat tours, deploying multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan.
6.
Edward Byers is the sixth SEAL to receive the Medal of Honor.
7.
Edward Byers was assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group, known as SEAL Team Six, when he was presented the Medal of Honor.
8.
Edward Byers is the first member of the unit to receive the Medal of Honor for an action as a unit member.
9.
The next month, Edward Byers requested to return to his SEAL team.
10.
In November 2017, Edward Byers was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.
11.
In May 2018, Edward Byers was selected for promotion to master chief petty officer; during that same month Edward Byers was in attendance when Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski was presented with his Medal of Honor.
12.
Edward Byers tackled and straddled another insurgent who was scrambling to the corner of the room to get a rifle.
13.
Edward Byers adjusted his night vision goggles to see whether he was the American hostage.
14.
When Joseph called out to Edward Byers, Edward Byers killed the insurgent he was straddling and then hurled himself on top of Joseph to protect him from harm.
15.
Edward Byers then tackled another adult male who had darted towards the corner of the room.
16.
Edward Byers jumped atop the American hostage and shielded him from the high volume of fire within the small room.
17.
Edward 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.
18.
Edward Byers graduated from Norwich University and is documented as being part of the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies Class of 2016.
19.
In February 2017, as a guest of Bob Latta, Edward Byers attended joint session of congress.
20.
In May 2017, Edward Byers was an "honored guest" at a SEAL Family Foundation fundraiser in Rancho Santa Fe, California; later that year, he was inducted into the Ohio Military Veterans Hall of Fame.
21.
In 2018, Edward Byers announced the creation of a new award, named after himself, at Otsego High School.
22.
In 2021, Edward Byers earned a Master of Business Administration at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
23.
Edward Byers is married to Madison and they have one daughter, Hannah.
24.
In October 2024, Edward Byers joined 15 other Medal of Honor recipients in publicly endorsing Donald Trump for president.