PRESS RELEASE: Local Purple Heart Recipient Charles Byers to be Honored with Trip to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, West Point

Gilbert Army Veteran Chosen to Represent Arizona’s Purple Heart Recipients

as Part of the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project

 

(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Specialist (SP5) Charles Byers Jr. will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Arizona’s representative at a multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. The all-expenses-paid trip includes visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s Headquarters, a special tour of the newly renovated National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and other tributes to service.

“Chuck and his fellow Patriot Project honorees are true American heroes,” said Richie Lay, a Purple Heart recipient and chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “America’s Purple Heart veterans have given so much to defend freedom and that sacrifice must always be remembered. We are privileged to be able to provide this unique salute to service for our Purple Heart heroes.”

“Our Purple Heart recipients have made enormous sacrifices for America and this is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation. For some, this will be like the homecoming they never had. We received hundreds of nominations from across the country and we look forward to honoring Chuck for his sacrifice and lifelong service to the community,” said Col. Russ Vernon (Ret.), executive director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

Asked what others should know about his service, SP5 Byers said, “I served in combat from 1966 to 1968, but my service continues today. I serve my fellow veterans and their families because I have made a life-long commitment.”

Byers enlisted in the Army in 1966 and served for a total of six years, including two years in Vietnam. During the Second Tet Offensive, on the first of June 1968, Byers was working with the Battalion Surgeon when they received a call that one of the companies had been ambushed and was engaged in heavy fighting. The company needed extra medical support and Byers volunteered to go and begin administering medical support. Byers was tending to his third soldier when he was hit by small arms fire from the NVA. Byers continued administering aid to fellow soldiers over the course of the next four hours, before being evacuated himself that evening.  

Along with his Purple Heart, SP5 Byers was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including a Silver Star, Combat Medical Badge, Air Medal and more. Byers, who married and became the father of three, continued to work in the health care field after completing his military service. He became a strong advocate for veteran’s benefits and was inducted into the Arizona Veteran’s Hall of Fame in 2018. That same year, he was invited to the White House and was on hand when President Trump signed the MISSION ACT, which was described by the Veterans Administration (VA) as the largest transformation in veterans' health care since the end of World War II. Byers currently serves as the National Legislative Director for the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).  

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located just north of West Point, New York, near the site where General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart, in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The badge, shaped like a purple heart was the forerunner of today’s medal. In addition to creation of the museum, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp now issued by the US Postal Service, and the organization was the driving force behind bipartisan legislation establishing the nation’s first official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin, which will be minted in 2022.

Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to support the Purple Heart Patriot Project should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION

The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports a variety of programs to promote the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, pay tribute to our Purple Heart recipients, and educate all Americans about our combat-wounded veterans to ensure those who sacrificed for freedom are never forgotten. Learn more and support their efforts at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.

Bob Driscoll