[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2660-2661]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


IN RECOGNITION OF MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT SENIOR CHIEF SPECIAL WARFARE 
        OPERATOR (SEAL) EDWARD C. BYERS, JR., UNITED STATES NAVY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT E. LATTA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2016

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize United States 
Navy Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) and Ohio native, 
Edward Byers, as the recipient of the Medal of Honor for his brave and 
heroic actions during Operation Enduring Freedom on December 8-9, 2012.
  The citation for the Medal of Honor states:
  ``For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life 
above and beyond the call of duty as Hostage Rescue Force Team Member 
in Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 8-9 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

[[Page 2661]]

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.''
  I extend my deepest thanks to Chief Byers on his service to our 
nation and upon his receiving our nation's highest military award, the 
Medal of Honor.




                          ____________________