US EditionValor awards upgraded for Marines who defended Abbey Gate during Afghanistan withdrawal
An internal Pentagon review found several commendations were inappropriately downgraded, and officials said the upgrades better reflect the Marines’ risk and lifesaving actions.
- On Wednesday, the United States Marine Corps upgraded valor awards for Marines of Company G, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines at Abbey Gate, following recommendations from the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
- A suicide bomber struck Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26, 2021, killing 13 U.S. service members and around 170 Afghan civilians during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
- Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell stated that original commendations were "inappropriately downgraded," noting upgrades now reflect the "extreme risk" these Marines knowingly accepted and lives saved under direct enemy fire.
- Under Secretary of War for Personnel & Readiness Anthony Tata and Senior Advisor Stu Scheller worked tirelessly to ensure proper recognition, demonstrating the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel's commitment to identify systemic failures.
- The inquiry has examined more than 9 million documents regarding the 2021 departure; the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel expects to publish findings in the coming months to ensure lessons are learned.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Pentagon Upgrades Awards for Abbey Gate Marines
Following a review that found their original commendations did not fully reflect their actions under fire, the Pentagon has upgraded valor awards for a group of U.S. Marines who defended Abbey Gate during the August 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan.
Statement From Chairman Of The Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel Sean Parnell
Statement from Chairman of the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel Sean Parnell Following the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel’s recommendation and at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the United States Marine Corps has upgraded the valor awards for the Marines of Company G, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, who stood at Abbey Gate on 26 August 2021. After reviewing the original awards and determining that several had …
Valor awards upgraded for Marines who defended Abbey Gate during Afghanistan withdrawal
The Marine Corps has upgraded the valor awards given to Marines who guarded Abbey Gate at the Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021 — the day a suicide bomber struck the gate and killed 13 service members and 170 Afghans, the Pentagon said Wednesday. “After reviewing the original awards and determining that several…
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