Congress Honors 13 Service Members with Gold Medal for Sacrifice in Afghanistan Withdrawal

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. hosted a Gold Medal ceremony for the 13 U.S. service members killed at Abbey Gate during the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Johnson posthumously presented the Gold Medal, Congress’ highest honor, to the 13 fallen Americans who were killed during the August 2021 ISIS-K suicide bombing at the Kabul Airport.

Remembering the Fallen Heroes

Honoring the 13 U.S. service members killed at Abbey Gate, Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak, and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed deep regret for their loss.

“Our nation owes a profound debt of gratitude to these service members and those here today who were with them in Kabul. We also owe them something deeper, and that is an apology to the families who are here. I know many of you have yet to hear these words, so I will say them. We are sorry,” Johnson said in opening remarks. “The United States government should have done everything to protect our troops. Those fallen and wounded at Abbey Gate deserved our best efforts, and the families who have been left to pick up the pieces continue to deserve transparency and appreciation and recognition to you and the families who are not here. I can promise you this, you are not alone in shouldering the burdens from that day. And although we can never fully measure your loss, we can and we must memorialize the ultimate sacrifice that was paid.”

Coral Doolittle, the mother of Marine Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, closed the ceremony with a plea to Americans on behalf of the families of the fallen: “Say their names. Speak their names and tell their stories.”

“We want everybody to know the ceremonies like this provide a small but meaningful breath of relief in our ongoing journey of grief, reminding us that we raised the best and brightest for this country. We deeply appreciate the efforts of Congress and the Speaker of the House for making this moment possible,” she said.

Remarks from Leaders

In his remarks, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stressed the valor of the 13 fallen patriots who sacrificed their lives in a war zone, defending freedom and democracy until their last breath.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reflected on how the 13 U.S. service members killed at Abbey Gate bonded a nation in grief, emphasizing their ultimate and eternal sacrifice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted the young age of the fallen heroes and the bravery they exhibited in the face of danger, calling for their memory to inspire the protection of freedom and democracy worldwide.

Reflection on the Sacrifice

Amid the tribute to the fallen U.S. service members, the ceremony served as a reminder of the selfless sacrifice made by these heroes, who held the gate to protect others in the face of danger. The families of the 13 fallen received recognition and respect for their unmeasurable loss and eternal gratitude from the nation.