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

Key Points:

• The Pentagon upgraded the awards of three Marines—Retired Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Eby, retired Lance Corporal Jordan Houston, and retired Corporal Michael Gretzon—for their valorous actions during the 2021 Abbey Gate attack in Kabul that killed 13 U.S. service members.
• Eby and Houston received the Bronze Star Medal with valor devices, while Gretzon was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a valor device, recognizing their courageous efforts amid chaos to aid the wounded and maintain security.
• The suicide bombing by ISIS-K occurred during the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, killing 13 Americans and 170 Afghan civilians at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted the Marines' heroism and announced an ongoing Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel to conduct a comprehensive after-action review, expected to conclude by year-end.
• A 2021 investigation determined the attack was not preventable and that leaders on the ground followed proper procedures; meanwhile, Congress established an Afghan War Commission to analyze the entire conflict and provide lessons learned.