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Pentagon upgrades valor awards for three Marines at Abbey Gate anniversary
On the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth held a ceremony at the Pentagon to upgrade the valor awards for three retired Marines: Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby, Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston, and Cpl. Michael Gretzon. Hegseth stated that the original awards had been inappropriately downgraded due to bureaucratic caution or politics during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Eby and Houston received upgraded Bronze Star Medals with 'V' devices, while Gretzon received an upgraded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a 'V' device. The Marines were recognized for their heroism in the immediate aftermath of the ISIS-K suicide bombing, which killed 13 U.S. service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.
Concurrently, the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel, led by Sean Parnell, reported the discovery of highly relevant classified documents that had been hidden in safes. The panel is conducting a comprehensive military after-action review, expected to be completed by the end of 2026. President Donald Trump also issued a proclamation declaring August 26, 2026, a day of commemoration for the fallen service members, while criticizing the previous administration's handling of the withdrawal.
Entities
Abbey Gate · Cait Conley · Donald Trump · Joe Biden · Jonathan Eby · Jordan Houston · Michael Gretzon · Mike Lawler · Pentagon · Pete Hegseth · United States Marine Corps
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The August 26, 2021, suicide bombing at Abbey Gate killed 13 U.S. service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians. wtxnews.com · gellerreport.com · www.ariananews.af · www.marinecorpstimes.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Cpl. Michael Gretzon received an upgraded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a 'V' device for valor. www.europesays.com · www.marinecorpstimes.com · www.epochtimes.com · www.ntd.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Afghanistan Special Review Panel discovered highly relevant classified documents that had been hidden in safes. americanfaith.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston was knocked unconscious by the blast but maintained his position to cover fellow Marines. www.epochtimes.com · www.ntd.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The original award submissions for the Marines were inappropriately downgraded due to bureaucratic caution or politics. www.europesays.com · internewscast.com · www.foxnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby and Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston were awarded upgraded Bronze Star Medals with 'V' devices for valor. www.europesays.com · www.marinecorpstimes.com · www.epochtimes.com · www.ntd.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] President Trump declared August 26, 2026, a day of commemoration for the 13 U.S. service members killed in the Abbey Gate attack. www.ariananews.af · www.socialnews.xyz
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel aims to complete its comprehensive military after-action review by the end of 2026. wtxnews.com