08DEC2012: Tasked with rescuing an American hostage held in eastern Afghanistan, CPO Edward Byers and team were inserted a few hours away in Laghman Province late on the night of December the 8th. Moving over four hours to the target compound, the team was within 75 feet when a sentry noticed them. Attempting to run inside to warn the others, Byers and PO1 Nicolas Checque sprinted forward, killing the guard and staging to enter the compound. As point man, Byers was clearing a path through a series of heavy blankets that were drawn over an entryway as bullets ripped through. Once inside the compound, Checque was shot and Byers, without hesitation entered the room where fire originated and killed the gunman. Seeing someone run across the room but unsure if it was an enemy fighter or the hostage, Byers tackled the man to the ground. Upon identifying him as a hostile, Byers neutralized the target and heard an American voice yell out. Running across the room, with enemy fighters all around, Byers threw himself on the hostage to shield him from the ongoing fight. At the same time, Byers with his bare hands, grabbed and held down an enemy fighter until a fellow SEAL could engage. For risking his life to save the hostage CPO Edward Byers would be awarded the Medal of Honor. He would go on to serve 21 years in uniform and would retire at the rank of Command Master Chief Petty Officer in 2019.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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