Secretary of War Pete Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to the U.S. service member who reprimanded him and his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Nov. 11.
A War Department official told The Epoch Times on Nov. 12 that Hegseth welcomed the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, to the Pentagon on Nov. 12 and “proudly” awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Spc. Thomas Iglesias the honor for “the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026,” the official said.
Iglesias reminded Hegseth and a group of his staff members to maintain decorum at the solemn memorial on Nov. 11 after a loud laugh was heard from the group. The incident took place after President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of Veterans Day.
The Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded to U.S. military members who distinguish themselves by “meritorious achievement or service” while assigned to a joint activity. The award is not typically given to junior enlisted service members in the U.S. military like Iglesias.
In a social media post on Nov. 12, Hegseth shared photos of him meeting with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment and awarding the honor to Iglesias.
“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots,” he wrote.
A video circulated on social media showed Hegseth taking pictures with his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh on the steps in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the wreath-laying ceremony on Nov. 11.
After laughter was heard from someone in the group, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sentinel shouted, “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the most solemn war memorials in the United States, serving as the final resting place of unidentified soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The tomb has been guarded around the clock since 1937. The Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment has been responsible for guarding it since 1948.
In response to the video, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the sentinel “correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
The Nov. 11 incident at Arlington National Cemetery came a day after the U.S. House of Representatives effectively blocked an impeachment resolution targeting Hegseth by voting to send the resolution to the House Judiciary Committee.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in the House on Nov. 9, accusing him of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Among the charges, Massie accused Hegseth of engaging in war with Iran without congressional authorization, carrying out extrajudicial killings of suspected drug traffickers, kidnapping a foreign leader, and ignoring laws that minimize civilian casualties.
Hegseth responded to the accusations during a Nov. 10 press conference: “None of these are high crimes or misdemeanors. They’re partisan policy disagreements from people who want to politicize our military.
“It’s a farce, and it’s a stunt, and everybody knows it.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
