War Secretary Pete Hegseth upgraded the awards for three Marines who were at the Abbey Gate attack on August 26, 2021, during the Biden-era Afghanistan withdrawal, as it was five years ago on Wednesday. 

Roughly 170 Afghans and 13 American service members died during the airport bombing, which was done by a member of ISIS-Khorasan, according to the Pentagon. The withdrawal ultimately led to the Taliban taking back control over the country, despite the United States having boots on the ground for roughly two decades. Hegseth revealed at a Pentagon ceremony that the report into what went wrong will be out by the end of the year.

“Marines, on this fifth anniversary, your valor is now officially, permanently, and properly recognized," Hegseth said. "You are the vanguard of a lethal, proud, and undefeated force that secures and defends our Nation. You represent the very heart of Peace through Strength.”

Corporal Michael Gretzon, Lance Corporal Jordan Houston and Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Eby each had their valor awards promoted during the somber event – each with a "V" for valor "device." 

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who chairs the investigation, revealed earlier Wednesday that the examination into the botched withdrawal, including the deadly attack in Kabul, is still underway. 

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Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Corpsman Maxton Soviak, Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, and Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum were killed during the bombing.

"Recently, my team recovered highly relevant classified documents — material that should have been disclosed — stashed and hidden away in safes where they would not be found," Parnell said in a video, suggesting that the documents deliberately went under the radar.