Rosen, Cortez Masto Co-Sponsor Bipartisan Bill to Award Congressional Gold Medal to 13 American Heroes Killed in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) announced their co-sponsorship of bipartisan legislation to honor the 13 American servicemembers killed during the terrorist attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26, 2021, with the Congressional Gold Medal.

“Last month, 13 U.S. servicemembers gave their lives in Afghanistan to bring over 124,000 Americans and Afghan allies to safety,” said Senator Rosen. “We owe these brave men and women an enormous debt of gratitude for their heroic, selfless service. On behalf of our nation, my colleagues and I thank these heroes and their families for their unimaginable sacrifice.”

“These 13 American men and women paid the ultimate price to keep others safe and protect our freedom,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “They were on the front line of our efforts to evacuate American citizens and Afghans who helped our nation, and we will not forget their heroic sacrifice.”

BACKGROUND: The thirteen servicemembers killed in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26th are Sgt Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt Nicole L. Gee, SSgt Darin T. Hoover, Cpl Hunter Lopez, Cpl Daegan W. Page, Cpl Humberto A. Sanchez, LCpl David L. Espinoza, LCpl Jared M. Schmitz, LCpl Rylee J. McCollum, LCpl Dylan R. Merola, LCpl Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, and SSG Ryan C. Knauss.

###