By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Veterans of ages gathered on the grounds of the Wood County Courthouse Wednesday morning to honor one of their own – the only local veteran to receive the Medal of Honor since the members of Andrews Raiders during the Civil War.
“Not one of us who has served considers ourselves heroic,” said Dave Ridenour, of American Legion Post 45 in Bowling Green. “We are ordinary citizens, who at time performed extraordinary feats.”
While many are brave – very few qualify as heroic, Ridenour said.
“But today we are celebrating a true hero,” he said.
U.S. Navy Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward C. Byers, Jr. – who is a native of Grand Rapids and 1997 graduate of Otsego High School – was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2016 for actions in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
And on Wednesday, the Medal of Honor monument at the courthouse was unveiled with Byers name etched in along with the Civil War soldiers honored long ago.
Byers earned the honor during a night in December 2012, when his unit rescued Dr. Dilip Joseph from the Taliban deep in the remote mountains of eastern Afghanistan.
After walking four hours in the freezing night to reach the Taliban camp, Byers was the second SEAL through the door of a tiny, one-room building where Joseph was held hostage. Byers killed two armed Taliban fighters before identifying Joseph and shielding him from harm. As bullets flew across the room, Byers leaped on top the doctor, using his own body armor to shield the captive as his fellow SEALs exchanged gunfire with enemy fighters.
As Byers protected Joseph, he spotted an AK-47-wielding Taliban guard just inches away. He continued to shield Joseph with his body as he grabbed the gunman by the throat, pinning him to a wall long enough for another SEAL to shoot him dead.
His good friend Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas Checque was shot after being the first man through the door during the rescue. Once outside, Byers, a medic, turned his attention to Checque, spending the 40-minute flight back to Bagram Airfield trying to resuscitate his friend. Checque was declared dead at the American base.
“His bold and decisive actions under fire saved the lives of the hostage and several of his teammates,” Wood County Veterans Assistance Center Executive Director Mary Hanna read from his citation. “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.”
Together Byers and Hanna unveiled the Medal of Honor memorial with Byers’ name freshly engraved.
“A grateful nation has awarded you its highest honor and gratitude,” Hanna said. “We could not be more proud of you.”
Byers, who wore his Medal of Honor during the ceremony on Wednesday, thanked local officials for the recognition.
“I’m honored and humbled to be here, to look over and see my name on that memorial with six other true American heroes,” he said.
Byers talked about those Civil War soldiers from Wood County, who served as part of the legendary “Andrew’s Raiders.” It was 157 years ago, he said, when 24 members of Ohio regiments and two civilians stole a train in the Confederacy and headed north, destroying tracks, bridges and telegraph lines along the way to impede progress by the Southern troops.
Some of the raiders were hung as spies.
Byers spoke of the the men and women currently serving overseas, who continue to defend the U.S. He dedicated his medal to his fellow SEAL, Checque.
“This is for the sacrifices of those who gave all, and the families they leave behind,” Byers said of the continued defense of freedom by U.S. troops. “This price has been paid in full in blood and tears.”
Byers recognized those ultimate sacrifices, and quoted President Abraham Lincoln in saying, “a nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”
He thanked fellow veterans in the crowd on Wednesday, along with law enforcement, fire and EMS members.
“Thank you for service to our nation,” he said.
And Byers thanked all his family members who attended, including his mom, brothers, nephews and nieces, as well as lifelong friends and their parents.
“I cherish, I love you,” he said.
(A story will follow on the plans for an expanded veterans memorial area on the grounds of the Wood County Courthouse. Those plans were talked about at the Medal of Honor ceremony on Wednesday.)
