Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) will help posthumously honor 13 U.S. servicemembers at a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony. This ceremony will commemorate the brave men and women who died during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago, including local South Texas hero, Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza.  

Dr. Cuellar was a cosponsor of H.R. 5142, bipartisan legislation to posthumously award 13 servicemembers with the Congressional Gold Medal.

Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza was born on July 10, 2001, in Laredo, Texas, but lived in nearby Rio Bravo, Texas, all his life. He graduated from Lyndon B. Johnson High School in 2019. Shortly after graduating, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He passed away on August 26, 2021. He was 20 years old.

“Three years ago, these 13 brave men and women gave their lives in service to our country and preserving our freedoms. This includes Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza, who was born in Laredo, Texas, and raised in Rio Bravo,” said Dr. Cuellar. “I am honored to join my colleagues in Congress to commemorate these service members and their families. While the Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor in Congress, their sacrifice is something we can never truly repay.”

Background:

On August 26, 2021, 13 U.S. servicemembers lost their lives in a suicide bombing at the Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport. This tragic event happened during the withdrawal of American Forces from Afghanistan.

This ceremony will be for the following U.S. Service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country

The following individuals will be honored:

Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover

Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo

Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee

Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez

Marine Cpl. Daegan Page

Marine Cpl. Humberto Sanchez

Marine Lance Cpl. David Espinoza

Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz

Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum

Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola

Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui

Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maxton Soviak

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor in Congress. The ceremony will be held in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on September 10, 2024, at 11:00 AM ET. It is a seated, invitation-only event that will include family members of the 13 U.S. service members as well as members of the House and Senate.