NORTHFIELD, Vt. — Norwich University announced today that it will host its inaugural Medal of Honor Day on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The day will consist of a series of curated events that pay homage to the Norwich alumni who have gone on to receive the coveted U.S. Medal of Honor award.
The Medal of Honor is awarded by the sitting President of the United States to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while: engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The President of the United States, in the name of the United States Congress, has awarded more than 3,520 Medals of Honor including 19 second awards to the nation's soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen since the decoration's creation in 1861. Norwich University has had nine Medal of Honor recipients in its 203-year history.
Bringing a close to the day’s events will be an evening keynote address, followed by Q & A, with Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Edward C. Byers. Byers was presented the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama during a White House ceremony on February 29, 2016. He was awarded for his efforts during a hostage rescue while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. Byers is only the 11th living service member to receive the Medal of Honor for bravery displayed in Afghanistan.
Byers joined the Navy in September 1998; he has 11 overseas deployments with nine combat tours. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star with Valor (five awards), the Purple Heart (two awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards, one with Valor), the Combat Action ribbon (two awards), and the Good Conduct Medal (five awards). He retired as a Master Chief in 2020. Byers is the Founder & CEO of Minerva 6 Solutions, an executive consulting and advisory firm that specializes in the cross-domain space between corporate and government. His charitable work includes serving on the board of the C4 Foundation and on the honorary advisor board of the Navy SEAL Foundation. He holds a National Paramedics License, a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies, and Defense Analysis from Norwich University, and an MBA from The Wharton School.
Norwich University’s Medal of Honor Day is sponsored by The Todd Lecture Series. To learn more about Norwich’s Medal of Honor Day, visit https://www.norwich.edu/tls
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Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu
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