Obama to present Medal of Honor to Navy SEAL

WASHINGTON – The White House has announced that a Navy SEAL who helped rescue an American hostage in Afghanistan will be the nation's next Medal of Honor recipient.

President Barack Obama will present the nation's highest award for valor in action to Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward Byers.

Byers will be the 11th living service member to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. The ceremony will take place at the White House on Feb. 29.

The White House provided little detail about the actions that led to the award. A press release says Byers was part of a team that rescued a civilian hostage in December 2012.

Byers grew up in Ohio and has completed eight overseas deployments with seven combat tours.