Hegseth Upgrades Abbey Gate Medals

As Trump marked Abbey Gate's anniversary, Hegseth upgraded medals for three Marines.

•Leans Right

Pentagon Upgrades Valor Awards for 3 Marines Who Withstood Attack During Afghanistan Withdrawal

Hegseth upgrades medals of three Marines who survived Afghanistan attack five years ago

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

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A neutral summary of the key facts most outlets agree on, drawn from reporting across the political spectrum.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth upgraded valor awards on Aug. 26 for three Marines — Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby, Cpl. Michael Gretzon and Lance Cpl. Jordan Houser — for actions after the Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul. The Pentagon held the ceremony in the Hall of Heroes on the fifth anniversary of the 2021 attack during the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan. The suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport killed 13 U.S. service members and about 170 civilians; officials identify ISIS-K as responsible. President Donald Trump also honored the fallen and declared Aug. 26, 2026, a day of remembrance.

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Withdrawal DisasterLeans Right

Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal was a disastrous, badly managed failure. Its chaos helped create the conditions for the Abbey Gate bombing and the wider suffering that followed.