Hegseth upgrades Abbey Gate Marines' valor awards after 5-year delay: 'Those days are over'
Three Marines who risked their lives during the ISIS-K Abbey Gate bombing received upgraded valor awards from War Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Pentagon ceremony.
TL;DR
- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth upgraded valor awards for three Marines for their actions during the Abbey Gate bombing.
- Hegseth stated that bureaucratic caution or politics had previously led to the downgrading of award submissions.
- Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby and Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston received upgraded Bronze Star Medals with "V" devices.
- Cpl. Michael Gretzon received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a "V" device.
- The ceremony marked the five-year anniversary of the August 26, 2021, terrorist attack.
- The ISIS-K suicide bombing killed 13 American service members during the final evacuation from Afghanistan.
- An Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel is examining the attack and withdrawal, having recovered classified documents.
- Hegseth promised that valor is now officially and permanently recognized for the Marines.