Hegseth Awards Medal to Soldier Who Reprimanded Him at Arlington
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Specialist Thomas Iglesias a Joint Service Commendation Medal on Thursday, one day after the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guard told Hegseth's group to be quiet. The Pentagon said the award recognized his execution of his duties at the tomb.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a Joint Service Commendation Medal on Thursday, November 12, to the soldier who reprimanded him and his aides at Arlington National Cemetery the day before. Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him and aides at Arlington Cemetery, the Pentagon said, citing Specialist Thomas Iglesias's conduct at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A Pentagon statement said the medal was for "the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" on November 11, 2026. Photos on Hegseth's X account showed him presenting it to Iglesias.
Members of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, stood alongside Iglesias. The unit holds vigil over the tomb.
What happened at the tomb
Video from a Veterans Day observance on Wednesday showed Hegseth, his wife and senior advisers posing for photos in front of the tomb. Some in the group could be heard laughing and chatting afterward.
The sentinel on duty, later identified as Iglesias, stopped walking and faced them. He called out: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."
The group with Hegseth included chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh.
Pentagon and Hegseth respond
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldier "correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum." He added that the department would always honor the sacrifices of military men and women.
Hegseth posted a short message with the photos. "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots," it read.
A Pentagon official said Hegseth welcomed the Old Guard to the Pentagon for the presentation.
A routine duty at a sacred site
The tomb is one of the country's most sacred war memorials. It marks the resting place of an unknown soldier killed in World War I.
A soldier from the 3rd Infantry Regiment has stood guard there around the clock since 1948. Correcting loud visitors is expected and not unprecedented, and sentinels reportedly do so a few times a day. Cemetery etiquette asks visitors to speak quietly and avoid disrespectful or disorderly conduct.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other top officials attended the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery. Trump praised Hegseth in his speech, saying he had done a "fantastic job" as defense secretary.
Trump has repeatedly defended Hegseth as Democratic lawmakers push to impeach him over claims that he waged war on Iran without congressional authorization. An impeachment effort recently failed on Capitol Hill, and Hegseth has called such efforts a "farce" and a "stunt".
