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Navy SEAL to receive Medal of Honor at White House ceremony

Published  February 29, 2016 2:05am PST
Associated Press



WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will award the nation's highest military honor Monday to a Navy SEAL who helped rescue an American hostage in December 2012.

Edward Byers is a senior chief in the Navy. Byers will be the 11th living service member awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan.

The ceremony will take place at the White House.

Byers took part in the rescue of Dr. Dilip Joseph, who was abducted along with his driver and Afghan interpreter.

An unclassified summary of the rescue says Byers flung himself on top of the doctor, shielding him from rounds being fired in the room. At the same time, he pinned a guard against the wall with his hand "around the enemy's throat" until another SEAL was able to shoot the guard.