Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell on Wednesday honored the Marines who served at Abbey Gate during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, claiming the service members' heroics were "exactly what our highest awards exist to recognize."

War Secretary Pete Hegseth tapped Parnell to lead the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel earlier this year. The comment comes on the fifth anniversary of the suicide bombing, which killed 13 U.S. service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.

Parnell said the decision to honor the men and upgrade their valor awards comes after reading accounts of witnesses and meeting with people who were at the Abbey Gate of the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, and hearing their take on the bombing. 

"What became clear, quickly, was that the acts you performed at Abbey Gate were exactly what our highest awards exist to recognize," Parnell said. "The awards being pinned on your chests today represent the unvarnished truth of your valor. They are a permanent testament to the fact that when America asked for volunteers to step into a nightmare, you went with zero hesitation. You have earned the utmost respect of the greatest nation on this earth. We hope that you wear these awards with pride.”

President Donald Trump honored the 13 Marines who died in the explosion, stating that the Abbey Gate Gold Star families will "never be forgotten." He also formally declared Aug. 26, 2026, as a day of remembrance for the fallen soldiers.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.