Hegseth awards medal to Tomb guard who reprimanded his group on Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2026, a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery loudly reprimanded a group accompanying US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for laughing and talking while posing for photos. The guard, Specialist Thomas Iglesias of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, declared that all visitors must maintain silence and respect. The Pentagon publicly backed him, and the next day Hegseth presented him with the Joint Service Commendation Medal at the Pentagon, praising soldiers and standards. Reports noted questions about the award's eligibility rules.
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Hegseth Awards Medal to Guard Soldier After Loud Reprimand on Veterans Day
A guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery loudly reprimanded a group accompanying US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for laughing during a Veterans Day visit. Rather than facing consequences, the soldier, Specialist Thomas Iglesias, was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his performance of duty, personally presented by Hegseth. A Pentagon official confirmed the award to dpa. Hegseth posted images of the ceremony on X, writing, "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist." Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also praised the soldier for respectfully reminding everyone to maintain proper dignity on the solemn day. The Tomb, established in 1921 for an unknown World War I soldier, has been guarded around the clock since 1948 by the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, known as the "Old Guard." According to a regiment member, guards respond to visitors two to three times a day.
Read sourceHegseth Awards Medal to Tomb Guard Who Reprimanded Him on Veterans Day
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias, the Old Guard soldier who loudly reprimanded Hegseth and his entourage for chatting and laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day. Hegseth praised the soldier in a social media post, saying "We love soldiers. We love standards." However, Military.com reported that the Defense Department's awards manual restricts the joint service medal to service members on joint duty assignments, while Iglesias was assigned to an Army regiment. Exceptions are permitted at the discretion of the awarding authority, but the Pentagon did not disclose whether one was approved, and no citation was mentioned in its statement to CNN. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Iglesias "correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum."
Hegseth Awards Medal to Guard Who Reprimanded Him at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded Spc. Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal after the soldier verbally reprimanded Hegseth and his aides for laughing and taking photos at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day ceremony. Hegseth posted a photo on X of the medal ceremony at the Pentagon, writing, "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist." A Pentagon official said the award recognized Iglesias's execution of his duties at the tomb on November 11, 2026. The tomb, guarded around the clock by the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment since 1948, is considered one of the most solemn war memorials in the U.S. The Joint Service Commendation Medal is a relatively high military award not typically given to junior enlisted service members.
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Hegseth Awards Medal to Soldier Who Reprimanded His Group at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Spc. Thomas Iglesias, a sentinel of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard), after Iglesias reprimanded Hegseth's group for making noise at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026. Footage showed Hegseth, his wife, chief of staff, and aides posing for photos near the tomb when someone laughed; Iglesias then shouted that all visitors must maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the Secretary and the Department honor military sacrifices and that the soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum. Hegseth posted photos on X with Iglesias and other tomb guards, writing that the military loves soldiers and standards. A Pentagon official said Hegseth welcomed the Old Guard to the Pentagon for the award. The article notes that sentinels commonly remind visitors to maintain decorum, reacting to crowds two or three times per day.
Read sourcePentagon backs Army guard who reprimanded Hegseth's group at Arlington
The Pentagon has publicly backed a US Army guard who reprimanded a group including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at Arlington National Cemetery during a Veterans Day observance. Video showed Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing and talking while posing for photos in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The sentinel on duty stepped toward the group and shouted that all visitors must maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum, adding that the Secretary and the Department have always honored military sacrifices. On Thursday, Hegseth presented Specialist Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal at the Pentagon, praising soldiers and standards. The tomb, guarded 24 hours a day since 1948, marks the final resting place of an unknown World War I soldier. Earlier, President Donald Trump attended a wreath-laying ceremony and praised Hegseth amid failed impeachment efforts.
Read sourcePentagon backs Arlington guard who reprimanded Hegseth's group at Tomb
The Pentagon defended a US Army sentinel at Arlington National Cemetery who admonished a group including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Veterans Day observance. Video showed Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing and posing for photos in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before the guard stepped forward and said all visitors must maintain silence and respect. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldier "correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum," adding that the Secretary and Department honor military sacrifices. Earlier, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials attended the annual wreath-laying ceremony, where Trump thanked service members and touted his administration's actions in the Iran war, claiming "we won" and seeking "total victory." Trump also praised Hegseth, who faces Democratic impeachment efforts that failed on Capitol Hill; Hegseth called them a "farce" and a "stunt."
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