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Hegseth Presents Upgraded Awards to Service Members

  • War.gov
  • Aug. 26, 2026 | 30:44

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth presents upgraded awards to service members during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Aug. 26, 2026. The service members responded to the 2021 Abbey Gate suicide bomber attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, which killed 13 U.S. service members.

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Delivering Peace Through Strength

A Marine fires a weapon from shoulder height creating a blast on either end of the weapon, while another Marine signals from in front.

From defending America's borders and fighting drug trafficking to changes in culture and business operations to better build the nation's arsenal of freedom, President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth are ushering in a new era characterized by peace through strength.

A Marine fires a weapon from shoulder height creating a blast on either end of the weapon, while another Marine signals from in front.
Quiz

School Is In!

A smiling child gives a "high-five" to one of about 12 Marines in camouflage uniforms forming a corridor at the entrance to a school building.

Test your smarts any time of year on the Department of War's world-class, worldwide school system for military kids.

A smiling child gives a "high-five" to one of about 12 Marines in camouflage uniforms forming a corridor at the entrance to a school building.
Visual Story

We Prepare. You Should, Too.

A person in a camouflage uniform in front of a house carries wooden boards toward construction equipment on a yard full of debris.

Service members train and prepare year-round so when disasters strike, troops are ready to help those in harm's way. Learn how you can prepare, too.

A person in a camouflage uniform in front of a house carries wooden boards toward construction equipment on a yard full of debris.
Visual Story

Honors for Valor

A graphic showing three service medals against a muted blue wall with names of medal of honor recipients.

For service members who carry out the bravest and most selfless acts in combat, the military bestows its most esteemed valor awards: the Medal of Honor, the Service Crosses and the Silver Star.

A graphic showing three service medals against a muted blue wall with names of medal of honor recipients.