Following the White House ceremony, Chief Byers spoke to reporters outside the White House to stress his thoughts, feelings, and attention remains focused on his fellow Navy SEALS and that through every mission its a team effort. After successfully extracting the hostage, Byers, a certified paramedic, performed CPR during the 40 minute flight to Bagram Air Base.
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Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Byers is the first living, active-duty member of the Navy to receive the honor in four decades. “But the Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest military decoration”. As the second SEAL through the door of the tiny, one-room building where Joseph was being held, Byers quickly engaged two Taliban fighters, calling out to locate Joseph. Byers acknowledged that it might not be easy to return to the ranks of the silent professionals after receiving the prestigious medal, but said he would address challenges as they came. His captors told him the Americans were not coming for him.
Obama said it takes a very special American to “willingly volunteer for missions of extreme risk”, missions with “razor-thin” chances for survival. “Our objective – our goal – is to bring back an American hostage alive”, Byers said. “We send some thunder and some lightning”. “Byers and his team are examples of courage, bravery and heroism”.
“We may not always hear of their success, but they are there in thick of the fight, in the dark of night, achieving their mission”, Obama said.
As they approached the building, the point man saw they had been detected. SEALs rushed to a doorway, and Byers started ripping down blankets that covered it, exposing himself to enemy fire. A teammate pushed in and was shot. Fully aware of the danger, Ed moved in next.
“And then I saw another person that was moving across the floor”.
The ensuing struggle was hand-to-hand, and Byers straddled the man, pinning him down, Obama said. He answered, “I’m right here”.
The US Department of Defense has said Mr Byers, a senior chief in the Navy, threw himself on top of Mr Joseph to shield him from gunfire. “Another enemy fighter appeared, and with his body, Ed kept shielding the hostage”.
The White House had previously highlighted Byers’ “courageous actions” and “selfless service” during the December 2012 operation. “You are with American forces”.
Byers quickly talked to Joseph and, after confirming that he was able to move, extracted him to the helicopter-landing zone. That SEAL has previously been identified as Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
“Small in number, they have borne an extraordinarily heavy load”, the president said. “That forced me to make the decision to go”.
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Obama called Byers “a special breed of warrior”, part of a select few who serve the American people in the shadows with honor and sacrifice.
