US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has awarded a military commendation medal to Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias, the soldier who reprimanded him and members of his entourage for failing to maintain silence and decorum near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
The recognition came a day after the incident took place during a Veterans Day visit on Wednesday. Iglesias, who was guarding the memorial, had interrupted his patrol to remind Hegseth’s group to maintain silence after some members were heard talking and laughing while posing for photographs.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the soldier called out, according to footage of the incident that circulated widely on social media.
On Thursday, Hegseth invited members of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, popularly known as the Old Guard, to the Pentagon and presented Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
Sharing photographs of the ceremony on social media, Hegseth praised the soldier’s conduct, writing, “We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots.”
A Pentagon official confirmed to CNN that Iglesias received the medal for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11.
The incident occurred after a Veterans Day ceremony attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Hegseth was accompanied by his wife and several senior aides when the group stopped to take photographs near the memorial.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is among the most significant military memorials in the United States. It honours unidentified American service members who died in military conflicts, with members of the Old Guard maintaining a continuous watch over the site since 1948.
