Hegseth awards medal to soldier who called for silence at tomb

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a medal Thursday to the soldier who called for silence and respect after members of Hegseth’s group were heard laughing and talking near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day visit.

Specialist Thomas Iglesias received the Joint Service Commendation Medal a day after he addressed the group at Arlington National Cemetery. Hegseth posted photos on X showing him with Iglesias and other soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard. One photo showed Hegseth pinning the medal to Iglesias’ chest.

“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist,” Hegseth wrote. “Carry on Patriots.”

A Pentagon official said Hegseth welcomed members of the Old Guard to the Pentagon and awarded Iglesias the medal “for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026.”

Iglesias was guarding the tomb following a Veterans Day ceremony attended by Hegseth, President Donald Trump and other administration officials. Footage showed Hegseth, his wife and aides posing for photographs near the memorial. After someone laughed, Iglesias stopped his patrol, turned toward the group and called out: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”

The Guardian identified those with Hegseth as his wife, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser and deputy assistant Tami Radabaugh. The Guardian also reported that Vice President JD Vance attended the ceremony, where he and Trump laid wreaths in honor of fallen soldiers and delivered remarks. Trump praised Hegseth during his speech, saying he had done a “fantastic job” as defense secretary, according to The Guardian.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to CBS News that Hegseth and the Defense Department “have always honored-and will always honor-the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe.” He added: “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”

The Old Guard has maintained a round-the-clock watch over the tomb since 1948, according to The Guardian. Its sentinels are responsible for enforcing standards of silence and respect. Corrections to visitors are not unusual: CBS News reported that a member of the regiment said in a 2022 Army interview that sentinels respond to the crowd two or three times a day.

The Guardian reported that the Joint Service Commendation Medal recognizes members of the armed forces for meritorious achievement or service in a specified activity, citing the Air Force’s personnel center.