Press Releases

U.S. Representative Earl L. "Buddy" Carter, released the following statement after the introduction of legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 American military servicemembers who were killed in a terrorist attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26, 2021:

"I am honored to join this effort to bestow the highest honor presented by Congress to these brave patriots. Our hearts break across the country for the valiant service members who made the ultimate sacrifice and for all those lost. Our troops performed honorably. We will never forget them, their legacy lives on."

The bill, introduced by Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress. Rep Carter is an original cosponsor of the bill, which will posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to:
 
Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, TX
Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, MO
Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, WY
Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, CA
Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, OH
Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, CA
Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, IN
Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, NE
Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, TN
Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, CA
Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, MA
Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, UT

Click here to view the bill text.