U.S. army guard given medal by Hegseth day after Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimand

Detailed summary

U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth has given a top award to the service member who scolded him and his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Hegseth delegation appears to be rebuked at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth has given a top award to the service member who scolded him and his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Hegseth welcomed to the Pentagon the army unit that guards the tomb and awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal "for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Nov. 11, 2026," the Pentagon said.

On social media, Hegseth posted photos Thursday that show him pinning the award and shaking hands with a soldier. His post says: "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist."

Iglesias reprimanded Hegseth and a group of his staffers when a loud laugh was heard after they took photos at the site following a ceremony that included U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice- President JD Vance.

Video showed Hegseth taking photos on the empty steps in front of the tomb on Wednesday with his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh.

The tomb is considered to be one of the most solemn and revered war memorials in the U.S., being the final resting place of unidentified soldiers from the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War. It has been guarded around the clock regardless of weather conditions by a soldier from the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard," since 1948.

The Joint Service Commendation Medal is considered to be one of the higher awards in the military and is not typically issued to junior enlisted service members.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's top spokesperson, said soon after video of the reprimand emerged that the soldier "correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum."

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