Charles Byers Jr.

Charles Byers Jr. enlisted in the U.S. 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).

In 2021, Chuck Byers was Arizona’s honoree during the Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission.