Edward Byers, a Navy Seal who graduated from Otsego High School, will receive the nation’s highest honor later this month.
The White House has announced that Byers, a senior chief special warfare operator, will receive the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama on Feb. 29.
According to the White House press release: “Senior Chief Byers will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as part of a team that rescued an American civilian being held hostage in Afghanistan on December 8-9, 2012.
“Senior Chief Byers will be the eleventh living service member to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. He and his family will join the President at the White House to commemorate his example of selfless service.”
Byers, 36, graduated from Otsego High in 1997. He enlisted in 1998 and trained as a corpsman. He has served in seven combat deployments earning numerous awards and decorations including five Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
He is continuing his education at Norwich University in Vermont where he will receive Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis later this year.
