I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4521 
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 
JULY 17, 2025 
Mr. NORMAN (for himself, Mrs. MILLER of Illinois, Mr. STANTON, and Mr. 
WEBER of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on 
House Administration, for a period to be subsequently 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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use today, ensuring more people could find their way 
to safety. 
(8) The valor and courage displayed by Chad 
Robichaux, Sarah Verardo, and the 12 Special Oper-
ations veterans during the Afghanistan evacuation in 
2021 exemplify the very essence of America’s prom-
ises to the Afghan people throughout the 20 years 
of war. Their actions served as a powerful testament 
to the unwavering loyalty and dedication of the 
United States Armed Forces, reinforcing our na-
tion’s role as a beacon of hope and justice on the 
global stage. Their commitment to duty and human-
ity will forever be etched in the Congressional 
Record as a shining example of American heroism. 
(9) Under the exceptional leadership of Force 
Recon Marine Chad Robichaux, this remarkable 
team of Special Operation veterans took up the 
charge to protect and evacuate over 17,000 citizens 
and Afghan allies from Taliban-controlled Afghani-
stan, during a time of unfathomable danger and un-
certainty. 
(10) These individuals have dedicated their lives 
to protecting our country, putting their own lives on 
the line to safeguard others, and their heroism de-
serves great honor. 
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SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS. 
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—The Speaker of 
the House of Representatives and the President pro tem-
pore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements 
for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a single 
gold medal of appropriate design 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-controlled 
Afghanistan. 
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the purposes of the 
presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary 
of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the ‘‘Sec-
retary’’) shall strike the gold medals with suitable em-
blems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the 
Secretary. 
(c) SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Following the award of the 
gold medal under subsection (a), the gold medal 
shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where 
it shall be available for display as appropriate and 
made available for research. 
(2) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should 
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make the gold medal received under paragraph (1) 
available for display outside of the District of Co-
lumbia at times, particularly at other locations asso-
ciated with the team of Special Operation Veterans’ 
service in the Afghanistan evacuation of 2021. 
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS. 
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in 
bronze of the gold medals struck under section 3, at a 
price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, 
materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses. 
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS. 
(a) NATIONAL MEDALS.—Medals struck pursuant to 
this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 
of title 31, United States Code. 
(b) NUMISMATIC ITEMS.—For purposes of sections 
5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all medals 
struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic 
items. 
SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF 
SALE. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS.—There is 
authorized to be charged against the United States Mint 
Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be nec-
essary to pay for the costs of the medals struck pursuant 
to this Act. 
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(b) PROCEEDS
OF SALE.—The amounts received 
from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under 
section 3 shall be deposited into the United States Mint 
Public Enterprise Fund. 
Æ 
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