President Biden signed H.R. 5142 into law on December 16th, which will posthumously award the Congressional Medal of Honor to the 13 service members who were killed in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.
The bill was introduced and passed in the House and Senate earlier this year, and it was introduced in the House by local Congresswoman Lisa McClain.
“I’m glad these fallen service members will finally receive the recognition they deserve for their bravery and sacrifice for our country,” said Rep. McClain. “Thank you to the 326 House members and 68 Senators who cosponsored this legislation and helped it quickly become law.”
Of the 13 service members lost on August 26th, 11 were Marines, 1 was an Army soldier, and 1 belonged to the Navy.
- David L. Espinoza – Marine Corps Lance Cpl.
- Nicole L. Gee – Marine Corps Sgt.
- Darin T. Hoover – Marine Corps Staff Sgt.
- Ryan C. Knauss – Army Staff Sgt.
- Hunter Lopez – Marine Corps Cpl.
- Rylee J. McCollum – Marine Corps Lance Cpl.
- Dylan R. Merola – Marine Corps Lance Cpl.
- Kareem M. Nikoui – Marine Corps Lance Cpl.
- Johanny Rosario Pichardo – Marine Corps Sgt.
- Humberto A. Sanchez – Marine Corps Cpl.
- Jared M. Schmitz – Marine Corps Lance Cpl.
- Maxton W. Soviak – Navy Hospital Corpsman
- Daegan W. Page – Marine Corps Cpl.
