Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that the valor awards for three U.S. Marines have been upgraded. The recipients—Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby, Cpl. Michael Gretzon, and Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston—were stationed at Abbey Gate at the Hamid Karzai International Airport during the 2021 suicide bombing that occurred amid the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The bombing, which took place five years ago, resulted in significant casualties among U.S. service members and Afghan civilians. The decision to upgrade these specific medals reflects a formal recognition of the Marines' actions during the chaotic evacuation process. While the specific nature of the upgrades was noted, the Department of Defense has framed this action as a measure to ensure proper recognition for the personnel who faced the blast while securing the perimeter.

The move comes as part of a broader review of military awards and decorations overseen by the current administration. Supporters of the decision argue that the original awards did not sufficiently capture the intensity of the combat conditions at Abbey Gate. Conversely, some military analysts have raised questions regarding the process of retroactively upgrading medals, noting that such decisions can sometimes be perceived as politically motivated rather than based on new evidence of battlefield conduct. The Hill reports that the Marines were present at the site during the attack, though it does not detail the specific criteria used to justify the upgrade at this time.