A Catholic Navy Seal with a devotion to St Michael the Archangel has been awarded America’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Edward Byers Jr, a 36-year-old from Ohio, rescued a hostage in a remote area of eastern Afghanistan in December 2012. He was awarded the medal by President Barack Obama during a ceremony at the White House. The honour was awarded to Mr Byers for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty”. The Washington Post and other outlets reported that Mr Byers had for years prayed to St Michael the Archangel, drawing strength from the saint described in Scripture as the one who defends the people of God from their enemies. Mr Byers said that in his military career he had always worn a St Michael the Archangel patch “on my back ... Every single mission I’ve ever done, I’ve always said a prayer to St Michael to protect and watch over us.” During the presentation, a military aide described his heroism: “[He] fearlessly rushed into the room and engaged an enemy guard aiming an AK-47 at him. He then tackled another adult male who had darted toward the corner of the room ... Chief Byers heard a voice respond in English and raced toward it. He jumped atop the American hostage and shielded him from the high volume of fire within the small room.” While he covered the hostage with his body, the aide continued, Mr Byers “immobilised another guard with his bare hands, and restrained the guard until a teammate could eliminate him. “By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of near-certain death, Chief Petty Officer Byers ... upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”