Pentagon upgrades medals for 3 Marines honored for actions after Abbey Gate attack

Five years after the deadly attack at Abbey Gate in Kabul, the Pentagon has recognized the valor of three Marines by upgrading their awards for actions taken in the immediate aftermath of the blast. The attack, carried out by an ISIS-K suicide bomber on August 26, 2021, killed 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghan civilians. It occurred as U.S. forces were managing the evacuation of personnel and allies from Hamid Karzai International Airport during the final stages of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Retired Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Eby and retired Lance Corporal Jordan Houston were each awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a valor device. Retired Corporal Michael Gretzon received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, also with a valor device. These awards signify exceptional acts of heroism and courage in combat. Initially, Houston and Eby were slated to receive Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with combat devices, while Gretzon was approved for a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a combat device. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the upgraded awards, stating their "fearless response represents the pinnacle of combat heroism. Simply put, valor." According to his citation, Eby took command of his platoon after his commander and many others were wounded or killed, rallying forces to reestablish security and evacuate the injured amidst extreme chaos. Houston, despite being wounded, concussed, and under fire, disregarded his own injuries to rescue multiple Marines, actions his citation states "doubtlessly saved the lives of his fellow Marines." Similarly, Gretzon maintained crowd control from a dangerous, exposed position, enabling the evacuation of critically wounded individuals and, according to his citation, "doubtlessly saved the lives of his fellow Marines."

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fearless response represents the pinnacle of combat heroism. Simply put, valor.