politics

Pentagon upgrades awards of 3 Marines for "combat heroism" after Abbey Gate attack in Kabul

August 26, 2026 / 6:46 PM EDT / CBS News

Pentagon upgrades awards of 3 Marines for "combat heroism" after Abbey Gate attack in Kabul

TL;DR

  • Three Marines had their valor awards upgraded five years after the Abbey Gate attack in Kabul.
  • The attack occurred during the U.S. military's 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, killing 13 Americans and 170 Afghan civilians.
  • Retired Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Eby and retired Lance Corporal Jordan Houston received the Bronze Star Medal with a valor device.
  • Retired Corporal Michael Gretzon received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a valor device.
  • The upgraded awards recognize their heroic actions in providing care to the wounded and processing evacuees after the bombing.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presided over the ceremony, emphasizing their "combat heroism" and "valor."
  • An investigation into the bombing concluded it was not preventable, but a review panel is conducting a comprehensive military after-action review.