Two years after the chaos of the Afghanistan evacuation, the Pentagon has introduced that most of the Marine Corps and Army models concerned within the effort shall be honored with a Presidential Unit Quotation, the best distinction {that a} navy unit can obtain.
Members of the twenty fourth Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Particular Function Marine Air-Floor Process Drive-Disaster Response-Central Command, and Joint Process Drive 82 of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division shall be acknowledged with the quotation for his or her efforts throughout Operation Allies Refuge, Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned Thursday.
In addition to the Army and Marine Corps models, parts of 20 different models together with active-duty and Nationwide Guard troops have been awarded the Presidential Unit Quotation, in keeping with an replace from the Army Thursday night.
Learn Subsequent: Not Simply Silt: West Level’s Time Capsule Really Contained Some Historic Artifacts
As the ultimate American soldier stepped onto an plane on Aug. 30, 2021, and the ultimate C-17 Globemaster III ready to depart Kabul, greater than 124,000 individuals starting from authorities staff to Afghan refugees had been flown to security and greater than twenty years of U.S. navy involvement within the nation was left behind.
That huge and historic evacuation effort from Hamid Karzai Worldwide Airport additionally got here at a significant value. When a suicide bomber struck on the airport’s Abbey Gate through the rescue mission on Aug. 26, 13 troops — 11 Marines, a sailor and a soldier — have been left useless, marking the ultimate American casualties of the battle. Greater than 20 different troops have been wounded, and lots of of Afghans additionally died or have been harmed.
“All through America’s longest battle, our troops confirmed nice braveness and compassion,” Austin mentioned in an announcement. “Within the battle’s remaining days, america, together with our allies and companions, safely evacuated greater than 124,000 civilians from Afghanistan, within the midst of the pandemic and within the enamel of hazard.”
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth praised the troopers concerned with the evacuation effort.
“The bravery of the troopers on the bottom and the dedication of those that supported each evacuation flight exemplify the beliefs of service with honor and compassion,” Wormuth mentioned in an announcement. “Till the final plane departed, the 82nd Airborne Division and members of JTF-82 held the road and supplied the secure passage wanted to evacuate over 100,000 U.S. residents, Afghan civilians, and members of the family.”
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro mentioned Marines and sailors concerned within the Afghanistan evacuation confirmed braveness throughout what turned the ultimate collapse of the U.S.-backed authorities and order in Afghanistan because the Taliban, a longtime foe of American forces, took management of the nation.
“For his or her braveness and resolve within the face of a terrorism and human calamity, this nation owes our service members a debt of gratitude,” Del Toro mentioned. “I couldn’t be extra honored to acknowledge these actually distinctive Marines and sailors.”
Austin additionally talked about “supporting models,” however it was not instantly clear which different teams would additionally obtain the glory or whether or not others concerned within the evacuation effort, equivalent to Nationwide Guard models and Air Drive assist that helped evacuate civilians, could be included.
Among the many U.S. navy troops on the bottom for the evacuation have been Nationwide Guard models, such because the Minnesota Guard’s Process Drive 1-194 Armor and a small contingent from the Vermont Nationwide Guard third Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain), 86th Infantry Brigade Fight Staff.
In the meantime, the Air Drive has given out lots of of awards related to airmen concerned within the operation. The Division of the Air Drive public affairs didn’t touch upon Thursday’s announcement and referred inquiries to the secretary of protection’s workplace.
The Presidential Unit Quotation dates again to 1941, when it was awarded for distinctive heroism and bravado within the navy following the assault on Pearl Harbor. It’s judged with the identical depth as particular person awards for valor such because the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Drive Cross.
Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, informed Army.com on Thursday that the awards are an ongoing effort.
“Within the assertion that we put out at present, it highlighted the models which have at the moment been awarded that recognition,” Ryder mentioned. “I might refer you to the providers proper now for his or her present statuses. That is to not say there will not be others.”
The citations are the newest within the saga of Afghanistan, which carries a posh and sometimes painful legacy. The navy withdrawal and earlier fall of Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021, stirred an array of feelings and strained the psychological well being of most of the troops and veterans who served within the longest battle in U.S. historical past.
Army.com reported final yr {that a} survey of 1,450 navy group members who helped with the evacuation discovered that 41% of those that answered reported affected by trauma because of the withdrawal. The survey was performed by the Affiliation of Wartime Allies, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and Veterans for American Beliefs.
That ache has not been erased for the households of these service members who have been killed within the bombing on the airport both. This week, in testimony at a roundtable hosted by the Home Overseas Affairs Committee, lots of these dad and mom expressed their sorrow and concern over how President Joe Biden’s administration dealt with the evacuation.
“The US of America will once more be known as on to evacuate and to rescue weak teams of individuals,” mentioned Christy Shamblin, the mother-in-law of fallen Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, in keeping with CNN. “Please assist us make optimistic modifications in order that we do not have to look at one other mother or father stroll by the hell that we’re strolling.”
Editor’s word: This story was up to date with info from the Army on further models receiving the award.
— Konstantin Toropin and Steve Beynon contributed reporting.
— Thomas Novelly will be reached at thomas.novelly@navy.com. Comply with him on Twitter @TomNovelly.
Associated: One 12 months Later, Troops and Veterans Concerned in Afghanistan Exit Grapple with Psychological Scars
Story Continues
