Posted on 03/03/2016 4:39:16 PM PST by Coleus
President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward Byers, U.S. Navy SEAL, in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 29, 2016. Senior Chief Byers receives 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. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
On Monday, Navy Senior Chief Edward C. Byers Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony.
The 36-year-old SEAL received the U.S. Military’s highest honor for his role in the successful December 2012 rescue of an American civilian who had been taken hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
He also gave first aid and offered prayers for a fellow SEAL, who was fatally wounded during the rescue operation.
Byers also has two Purple Hearts for wounds suffered in combat and five Bronze Stars with V device for heroism. He is believed to be first service member to receive the Medal of Honor while part of the highly secretive SEAL Team 6, according to the Washington Post.
What’s more – Byers is a Roman Catholic with a special devotion to St. Michael the Archangel.
From the Washington Post:
“My entire career in combat operations, I’ve always wore a St. Michael the Archangel patch on my back,” he said. “And I got that off of a guy in my first Iraq tour. That patch is really special to me because every single mission I’ve ever done, I’ve always said a prayer to St. Michael to protect and watch over us, and I think those prayers are a good aspect and a big aspect of what helps sustain me through all those times away from home, and away from my wife, and away from my daughter and friends and family.”
Military Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio issued a statement praising Byers:
“SEAL Senior Chief Edward Byers has demonstrated true heroism both in rescuing a fellow citizen and in praying for his deceased comrade. His actions will continue to inspire all of those who love our Country and serve it so selflessly. It is obvious that his patriotism and prayer are motivated by his strong Catholic faith. May his story strengthen all of us in our conviction to do what is right and just. It is an honor to join the chorus of those who are praising this Seal and all of his fellows.”
| PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL St. Michael the Archangel, |
 O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil , who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day. |
Love the saints. Love this Navy SEAL. Thanks for posting the card and prayer with the story. Thoughtful of you.
BTW, first time in a long time I”ve seen a news story naming the Medal of Honor properly. Inasmuch as there is no such thing as Congressional Medal of Honor.
The newest Medal of Honor recipient has a devotion to St. Michael.
So did Joan of Arc.
Interesting aside: Greta Susteren On the Record took a tour of the Trump suite last night with Melania. When they got to the main room, right in the center was a four foot tall statue of Archangel Michael - the same one pictured here, in a dark metal casting.
bkmk
I saw that. Interesting.
Portrait: May God So Keep Me
Joan of Arc before Saint Michael
"Whatever I have done that was good, I have done at the bidding of my voices."
Joan of Arc In Her Own Words, p. 113
"I have never had need of them and not had them come."
Joan of Arc In Her Own Words, p. 112
If they weren't as secretive as they are I'd bet there would be a whole lot more Medals of Honor awarded.
Congressional Medal of Honor.
thanks for the tidbit.
If I were a Navy Seal, you can bet I’d be doing the same thing.
Sorry to hear he is devoted to an angel, instead of the Savior. The first is idolatry. The second leads to eternal life.
to each his own. and why does God use angels to do His work? it’s stated in the scriptures that Michael cast out the fallen angels. So, if it’s good enough for God to rely on St. Michael, it’s good enough for us.
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Archangel-Angel-Michael/
Active Duty ping.
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| "If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy." |
Thanks for posting this.
Here’s what’s bizarre. The only other two sailors to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War were both Catholic, both SEALs, and both named Michael (Michael Murphy and Michael Monsoor.) Michael Monsoor died on Saint Michael’s Day when he leaped on a grenade to save the life of his teammates.
I think Saint Michael loves the SEALs.
I love the Prayer to St Michael and say it every day.
God bless this warrior.
look at yourself first before you disparage and besmirch the reputation of a war hero and man of prayer. Worry about your sins and not the alleged sins of others.
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