Hegseth Upgrades Valor Awards for Marines After Delay

<p>Secretary of War Pete Hegseth upgraded valor awards on August 26, 2026, for three Marines who risked their lives during the Abbey Gate bombing, stating that their original award submissions were "inappropriately" downgraded following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. This announcement was made during a Pentagon ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the August 26, 2021, terrorist attack.</p><p>Hegseth remarked, "For half a decade, this building allowed bureaucratic caution, or maybe politics, to stand in the way of proper recognition," and added, "Today, on this milestone anniversary, we declare that those days are over."</p><p>He presented upgraded Bronze Star Medals with "V" devices for valor to Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby and Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston. Cpl. Michael Gretzon received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a "V" device for valor.</p><p>Hegseth noted, "For too long, leadership in this capital city failed to match that frontline courage with administrative backbone, inappropriately downgrading the original award submissions that these men rightfully deserved."</p><p>Eby, then a staff sergeant, was screening evacuees from an exposed position when the suicide bomber struck. After his platoon commander and half his platoon were wounded or killed, Eby took command, rallied his remaining Marines to establish security, and helped evacuate the wounded, according to his award citation.</p><p>His actions "undoubtedly saved the lives of many," the citation stated.</p><p>Houston was approximately 32 feet from the blast and was knocked unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness with shrapnel wounds, he remained in an exposed position to cover fellow Marines and provide lifesaving treatment to others, as stated by Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith.</p><p>Houston concealed his injuries due to fear of being removed from the fight and later removed shrapnel from his own body before receiving medical treatment.</p><p>Gen. Smith commented, "I don't know where we find such men, but I'm not sure we deserve them."</p><p>Gretzon also suffered shrapnel wounds, applying his own tourniquet before returning to assist his squad until ordered to the casualty collection point.</p><p>The ISIS-K suicide bombing resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members during the final evacuation from Afghanistan.</p><p>The fallen included Marine Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, and Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui; Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak; and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss.</p><p>The ceremony's chaplain expressed, "Today our hearts remain anchored to the memory of the 13 warriors who gave their last measure of devotion on August 26th of 2021," and requested continued comfort for their Gold Star families.</p><p>The award upgrades coincide with the War Department's Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel, which is examining the attack and withdrawal. Sean Parnell, who chairs the panel, stated that investigators recently recovered "highly relevant classified documents" that should have been disclosed but were "stashed and hidden away in safes where they would not be found."</p><p>Parnell did not disclose the contents of the documents due to their classified nature, and the War Department has not publicly identified who allegedly concealed them. Hegseth indicated that the broader Afghanistan review is ongoing, with a full report expected by the end of the calendar year.</p><p>Hegseth concluded, "Marines, on this fifth anniversary, your valor is now officially, permanently and properly recognized. You represent the very heart of peace through strength." The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>