Defense Secretary Hegseth Awards Medal to Soldier Who Told His Group to Be Silent at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

What happened

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Spc. Thomas Iglesias, the soldier who reprimanded Hegseth's group a day earlier at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, according to ABC News, CBS News and NPR. ABC News reported that Hegseth posted photos on X showing him pinning the medal on Iglesias' chest and shaking his hand.

CBS News reported that the photos also showed other members of the unit that guards the tomb around the clock. A Pentagon official told CBS News that Hegseth welcomed the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, to the Pentagon and gave Iglesias the medal "for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026."

The Veterans Day moment at the tomb

What the video showed

The episode followed a Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, that included President Donald Trump, ABC News reported. Video showed Hegseth, his wife Jennifer and other officials posing for a photo on the steps in front of the tomb area. CBS News reported that the group also included Hegseth's chief of staff and other aides.

As the group broke up, someone could be heard laughing. Iglesias, standing at attention, called out: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times." None of the three outlets identified who laughed.

A routine command at a guarded site

ABC News reported that the phrase is the same one sentinels use with any visitor who breaks decorum at the tomb. Sentinels are ceremonial soldiers in formal dress uniforms who keep a 24-hour watch and strictly enforce silence around the tomb. The cemetery asks visitors to "speak quietly so that your experience does not distract or disturb other visitors," according to ABC News.

CBS News noted that such reminders are not uncommon. It cited a 2022 Army interview in which a member of the regiment that guards the tomb said sentinels react to the crowd two or three times per day.

How the Pentagon responded

Spokesman backs the soldier

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell praised the sentinel in statements to ABC News and CBS News after the incident. "While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum," Parnell said. He also said the department has always honored the sacrifices of service members.

Hegseth's post and the medal

"We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist," Hegseth wrote on X, according to CBS News and NPR. NPR described the Pentagon ceremony as an effort by Hegseth to regain control of the narrative after the video spread.

According to the U.S. Army, as cited by ABC News, the Joint Service Commendation goes to service members "who distinguish themselves by meritorious achievement or service while assigned to a joint military staff, activity, or agency."

The political backdrop

NPR reported that the incident came during a difficult week for Hegseth following Republican losses in the midterms. NPR said many had expected he could be the first administration official fired over his support for the Iran war, which it said proved unpopular with voters.

The day before the Veterans Day visit, the House took up a resolution to impeach Hegseth sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican, NPR reported. Every other House Republican voted against it.

As the tomb video circulated, critics online condemned Hegseth, with some calling him "the secretary of offense," NPR reported. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., and former GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger also criticized him and his group. "Pete Hegseth continues to demonstrate his utter lack of fitness for his office," Moore wrote on X.

What to watch next

• Hegseth's standing in the administration, after NPR reported many expected he could be the first official fired over his support for the Iran war.
• Continued criticism from lawmakers such as Rep. Gwen Moore, who questioned Hegseth's fitness for office following the failed impeachment resolution.
• Whether the person in Hegseth's group who laughed at the tomb is identified; none of the outlets named who it was.