I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7501 
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Chad Robichaux, Sarah Verardo, 
Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, Dave Johnson, and Dennis 
Price, in recognition of their exceptional efforts and selfless dedication 
during the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021, which led to the safe evacu-
ation of over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 29, 2024 
Mr. NORMAN (for himself, Mrs. MILLER of Illinois, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. 
GIMENEZ, Mrs. SPARTZ, and Mr. MOONEY) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addi-
tion to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Chad Robichaux, 
Sarah Verardo, Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean 
Gabler, Dave Johnson, and Dennis Price, in recognition 
of their exceptional efforts and selfless dedication during 
the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021, which led to the 
safe evacuation of over 17,000 people from Taliban-con-
trolled Afghanistan. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Save our Allies Con-
gressional Gold Medal Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The events of August 2021 marked a sig-
nificant turning point in the history of the United 
States engagement in Afghanistan, as the Nation 
underwent a process of withdrawal after over two 
decades of military presence. 
(2) Over the course of those 20 years, countless 
men and women in uniform made tremendous sac-
rifices to uphold the principles of democracy and 
freedom, while also honoring the promises made to 
the Afghan people to build a safer and more pros-
perous Nation. 
(3) Among these exceptional individuals were 
the 13 individuals who participated in the Afghani-
stan evacuation in 2021, serving as a beacon of hope 
and demonstrating unwavering dedication to the 
ideals of America. 
(4) When the final withdrawal was announced, 
Chad Robichaux knew he needed to act. His combat 
interpreter, Aziz, who had saved his life on countless 
occasions throughout his eight deployments to Af-
ghanistan as part of a Joint Special Operations 
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Task Force, was now being hunted and targeted by 
the Taliban for helping him. Determined to save his 
loyal friend, Chad embarked on a mission that would 
bring together 13 modern-day avengers, all Special 
Operations veterans, and one determined woman, to 
drop everything and rescue Aziz and his family from 
Afghanistan. Without hesitation, each member of the 
team agreed to join the daring mission. 
(5) In a matter of hours, Chad Robichaux as-
sembled his team and made a crucial call to Sarah 
Verardo, the wife of a catastrophically wounded Sol-
dier from his service in Afghanistan, who miracu-
lously secured their way to Hamid Karzai Inter-
national Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, Afghanistan. The 
12-man team quickly mobilized, with Chad heading 
to Abu Dhabi, UAE, to establish a humanitarian 
center for evacuees. Meanwhile, Tim Kennedy, Kevin 
Roarke, Sean Gabler, and Dave Johnson headed for 
HKIA itself. Setting up a command center at 
HKIA, the team conducted non-stop rescue oper-
ations amidst Taliban-controlled territory, facing im-
mense danger without a Quick Reaction Force 
(QRF). In just 10 days, their unwavering efforts led 
to the successful rescue of over 12,000 lives. 
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(6) Even in the face of tremendous adversity, 
the team’s dedication did not waver. Despite Abbey 
Gate being destroyed and the gates welded shut, 
they refused to leave. Over the next two months, 
they continued their humanitarian efforts remotely, 
leading a coalition to rescue an additional 5,000 in-
dividuals through alternate routes around the region. 
Their commitment and determination made a sig-
nificant difference during this critical time of need. 
(7) Chad Robichaux’s mission did not end with 
the evacuation from HKIA. Teaming up with Fellow 
Force Recon Marine and Scout Sniper, Staff Ser-
geant Dennis Price, he embarked on a grueling 10- 
day, 90-mile reconnaissance mission along the 
Tajikistan and Afghanistan border, swimming into 
Afghanistan every night past Taliban and Chinese 
soldiers in order to use their special operations expe-
rience to build evacuation routes for women and 
children still trapped in Afghanistan as Afghan 
Commandos attempted to move them to the 
Tajikistan border. Braving the treacherous terrain 
and encounters with foreign militaries, including 
Chinese, Russian, Tajikistan, and Taliban fighters, 
they successfully established routes that are still in 
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