Hegseth upgrades medals of three Marines who survived Afghanistan attack five years ago
The upgrades add valor devices to medals for three Marines who treated casualties and held security during the Abbey Gate bombing.
- On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth upgraded the awards of three Marines for their actions during the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing, honoring retired Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Eby, retired Lance Corporal Jordan Houston, and retired Corporal Michael Gretzon.
- The August 2021 suicide bombing outside Kabul's airport occurred as U.S. forces facilitated a massive evacuation after the Taliban captured the city, killing 13 U.S. service members and approximately 170 Afghans.
- Marine Corps Commandant Eric Smith detailed how Houston maintained an exposed position while wounded, Gretzon provided cover after applying a tourniquet to his arm, and Eby rallied forces to reestablish security amid the chaos.
- Following an initial review that approved lower-level combat awards, Eby and Houston received the Bronze Star Medal with the device for valor, while Gretzon earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with the device for valor.
- Hegseth noted the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel, led by chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, will deliver a full report by the end of 2026, with Parnell confirming Wednesday the panel's comprehensive after-action review continues.
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Hegseth upgrades Abbey Gate Marines' valor awards after 5-year delay: 'Those days are over' - NEW YORK TIMES POST
Sec of War Hegseth presents medals to Marines for their heroic actions at Abbey Gate U.S. Marines receive prestigious military honors for their valorous actions during the chaotic August 2021 evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby, Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston and Cpl. Michael Gretzon are recognized by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth with the Bronze Star and Commendation medals in the Hall of…
Pentagon upgrades awards of 3 Marines for "combat heroism" after Abbey Gate attack in Kabul
Five years after the attack in Afghanistan that killed 13 service members, the Pentagon upgraded the awards of three Marines who provided care in the wake of the blast.
Hegseth upgrades Abbey Gate Marines’ valor awards after 5-year delay: ‘Those days are over’
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth upgraded valor awards Wednesday for three Marines who risked their lives to save others during the deadly Abbey Gate bombing, saying their original award submissions were "inappropriately" downgraded after one of the darkest days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan."For half a decade, this building allowed bureaucratic caution, or maybe politics, to stand in the way of proper recognition," Hegseth said during a …
Hegseth upgrades Abbey Gate Marines' valor awards after 5-year delay: 'Those days are over'
Pete Hegseth upgraded Bronze Star Medals with valor devices for three Marines who risked their lives during the ISIS-K Abbey Gate bombing during the Afghanistan withdrawal.
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