Full Breakdown
Pentagon Honors Abbey Gate Marines with Upgraded Valor Awards
8/27/2026, 4:16:56 AM
The ceremony and upgraded awards
On the fifth anniversary of the Kabul airport bombing, the Pentagon held a ceremony in the Hall of Heroes to upgrade the decorations of three Marines who were on duty at Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021. Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby and Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston each received the Bronze Star Medal with a “V” device for valor, while Cpl. Michael Gretzon was presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a “V” device. The awards replace earlier recognitions that the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel said “did not reflect” the danger faced by the Marines.
Background: Abbey Gate attack, August 26, 2021
During the final U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive at the Abbey Gate checkpoint of Hamid Karzai International Airport. The blast killed 13 U.S. service members and roughly 170 Afghan civilians, injuring dozens more. The three Marines, members of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, were screening evacuees and maintaining security. Their actions—providing cover, treating the wounded, and removing shrapnel—were later cited as exemplary courage under fire.
Data & Statistics
- U.S. fatalities: 13 service members
- Afghan civilian deaths: about 170 (reported)
- Awards upgraded: 2 Bronze Stars with “V” devices, 1 Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” device
- Panel recommendation: upgrades after reviewing the original award submissions
Official Statements & Responses
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the upgrades as correcting a “half-decade” of hesitation that had prevented proper recognition. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric M. Smith highlighted each Marine’s actions, noting Houston’s unconsciousness near the blast, his self-removal of shrapnel, and Gretzon’s self-applied tourniquet.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A military that downplays its frontline heroes to avoid uncomfortable political truths only projects weakness,” — Pete Hegseth
- “He awoke to discover shrapnel wounds in his hip, but he maintained his exposed position to cover his fellow Marines,” — Gen. Eric M. Smith
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the civilian death toll. The Hill and The Epoch Times cite “about 170” deaths, while the Washington Examiner reports “more than 150.” No independently verified figure has been released, leaving the exact toll unclear.
What’s Next
Sean Parnell indicated that the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel will submit a comprehensive report on the evacuation and the Abbey Gate incident by the end of 2026, including further details on the classified documents and recommendations for future operations.
