Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him and aides at Arlington Cemetery
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POLITICS Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him and aides at Arlington Cemetery The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the US’ most sacred war memorials. By Haley Britzky Thursday, November 12, 2026 5:45PM A sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns barked a request for a group of people including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be silent after they had posed for a photo at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth awarded the soldier who reprimanded him and members of his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier a Joint Service Commendation Medal on Thursday. “We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist,” Hegseth said in a post on social media. “Carry on Patriots.” A Pentagon official confirmed that Hegseth welcomed the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard, to the Pentagon “where he proudly awarded Specialist Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026.” CNN first reported the incident. Hegseth, his wife, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser and deputy assistant Tami Radabaugh were taking photos in front of the tomb after a Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery when some in the group were heard laughing and chatting after the photos were taken. The soldier patrolling in front of the tomb, Spc. Thomas Iglesias, stopped walking and faced the group. Brooklyn building collapse: How the deadly Flatbush collapse unfolded AccuWeather Alert for heavy rain Thursday 2 hours ago Javits Frimpong: 17-year-old charged with murder in Bronx shooting death of 15-year-old “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” Iglesias called out. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell later said of the incident that the soldier “correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.” The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the US’ most sacred war memorials, and politicians, foreign dignitaries, and other notable individuals frequently visit to pay their respects to US service members. It’s expected, and not unprecedented, for the sentinel guarding the tomb — a 24/7 job delegated to soldiers with The Old Guard since 1948 — to maintain an atmosphere of respect around the tomb by correcting visitors who get too loud. The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. Report a correction or typo Related Topics POLITICS CEMETERY MILITARY PENTAGON U.S. & WORLD Watch Live ON NOW Brooklyn building collapse: How the deadly Flatbush collapse unfolded AccuWeather Alert for heavy rain Thursday 2 hours ago Javits Frimpong: 17-year-old charged with murder in Bronx shooting death of 15-year-old Worker killed, another missing after bridge scaffolding collapse on Loop Parkway Bridge Central Park rape suspect arrested while working in Miami, linked to 2 others