This week, we acknowledge the tip of our army mission in Afghanistan — one this nation started within the wake of the horrific assaults of September 11, 2001, and one through which 1000’s of America’s bravest served with braveness and dedication. Proudly, that mission included the service of those that took on the accountability to assist evacuate greater than 124,000 Afghans throughout one of many largest, most tough and most harmful humanitarian operations in U.S. army historical past. No different army might have protected so many lives underneath such difficult circumstances in such a brief period of time – not simply due to our airlift or our logistics capabilities, however most of all due to the immense compassion, ability, and dedication of American Service members. Because the Division noticed final week, 13 brave Individuals gave their lives to defend their teammates and to assist save the lives of tens of 1000’s of harmless Afghan folks. Right here at residence, our army helped settle greater than 80,000 Afghans inside america — housing, feeding and offering medical care to households in search of a greater life.
To honor that service, right now I’m saying that, at President Biden’s course, all items concerned within the retrograde operation from Afghanistan, Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Allies Welcome shall be awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation or its equal. As well as, I’m directing the Army Departments to carry out an expedited assessment of all items current at Hamid Karzai Worldwide Airport from August 15 to August 30, 2021, to establish these items or people that meet the excessive requirements of the Presidential Unit Quotation or acceptable particular person awards. Since World Battle II, the nation has acknowledged the extraordinary heroism of army items in motion towards an armed enemy with the Presidential Unit Quotation. The President directed these actions after session with me and with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers.
No phrases can correctly honor the deeds we acknowledge with these awards. What these awards replicate — and what I hope the items who obtain them will really feel — is the gratitude and love of our nation. I hope these awards function a reminder to each Service member who wears them of the lives they helped save and the thanks of the nation and Division of Protection they serve so nicely.
