13 service members killed in Kabul airport bombing up for Congressional Gold Medal

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Thirteen service members were killed in the Kabul airport bombing on Aug. 26, 2021. Top Row from left: Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, and Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco. Middle Row from left: Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana, and Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas. Bottom Row from left: Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming, Navy Corpsman, Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee and Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Roseville, California.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the medal.

Nine Marines and a sailor from Camp Pendleton’s 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment are among the 13 service members who may be honored by posthumously receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. Three are from Southern California.

In a vote Monday evening, the House of Representatives agreed to grant Congresses’ highest honor to those killed in the bombing attack of the Kabul airport on Aug. 26, during the final days of the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. The 13 service members were helping State Department officials evacuate U.S. citizens, Afghan interpreters and other vulnerable Afghans as the Taliban took over the country.

“The American service members went above and beyond the call of duty to protect citizens of the United States and our allies to ensure they are brought to safety in an extremely dangerous situation as the Taliban regained control over Afghanistan,” said the House bill that nominated the service members for their award.

The House bill was introduced by Rep. Lisa McClain, (R-Mich.), and received near-unanimous approval.

The next step will be for the Senate to approve the honor and President Joe Biden will have to sign the bill before the medals are given to the service members’ families.

In September, the 13 service members were also posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Three Southern California natives, Marines Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, and Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, are among the service members who would be receiving the medal.

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