<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Pentagon on August 26, 2026, honored the actions of three Marines involved in the Abbey Gate mission, coinciding with the five-year anniversary of the bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Secretary of War Pete Hegseth awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for valor to Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston and Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby. Cpl. Michael Gretzon received the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” device.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During the ceremony, Marine Corps Commandant Eric Smith acknowledged their bravery following the bombing, which resulted in over 150 Afghan civilian deaths and injuries to numerous American troops, in addition to the 13 American fatalities.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img alt="ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 26: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (L) poses for a photo with Marine Cpl. Michael Gretzon and his dog Shylah during an event to honor Marines who were serving during the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing, at the Pentagon on August 26, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Three U.S. Marines from Golf Company have their valor awards formally upgraded to honor their heroism and lifesaving actions during the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul." class="wp-image-4701963" height="396" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/GettyImages-2291626540.jpg?w=594" style="width: 496px; height: auto;" width="594" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, left, poses for a photo with Marine Cpl. Michael Gretzon and his dog Shylah during an event to honor Marines who were serving during the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing, at the Pentagon on Aug. 26, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. Three U.S. Marines from Golf Company had their valor awards upgraded to honor their heroism and lifesaving actions during the 2021 bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure> </div>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Houston was knocked unconscious by the blast, which occurred approximately 10 meters away. Upon regaining consciousness, he found a shrapnel wound in his hip but chose to conceal it to continue providing life-saving treatment to his fellow Marines, according to Smith.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Eby was leading the refugee screening effort during the attack. After regaining his footing, he exposed himself to scan for threats and reestablish a security perimeter.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Gretzon also sustained shrapnel wounds and had to apply a tourniquet to his arm. He remained in position until ordered to receive medical care.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Hegseth remarked on the actions of the Marines, stating, “At a dusty, exposed checkpoint in Kabul called Abbey Gate, the world witnessed the absolute best of America standing in the gap to defend our country and those Americans they served alongside during one of our darkest strategic hours.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The bombing resulted in the deaths of 13 service members, and many families are seeking more transparency from the Department of War regarding the decisions that led to the Abbey Gate chaos.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Last year, Hegseth announced a new review of the withdrawal, led by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who served in Afghanistan.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Parnell stated that his team recovered classified documents that had been hidden away, suggesting that they contained relevant information that should have been disclosed.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He did not provide specific details about the documents but committed to following the evidence thoroughly, stating, “We’re not accepting incomplete or comfortable answers.”</p>