Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday presented a commendation to the Army sentinel who had reprimanded him and his guests for their conduct at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day.
Hegseth shared a photo on X showing him awarding the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Army Spc. Thomas Iglesias for his actions while guarding the site. "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist," Hegseth wrote in the post.
The encounter took place on Wednesday, when Hegseth, his wife, Jennifer, and several of his top aides were taking pictures, talking and laughing in front of the tomb. Iglesias directed the group to stop, shouting, "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."
Hegseth did not acknowledge the reprimand in the moment. He looked over his shoulder and then continued walking up a set of stairs.
After the incident, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth and the department "have always honored" the sacrifices of service members, and he praised the sentinel's response. "While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum," Parnell said in a statement.
According to the Army, the Joint Service Commendation Medal is given to service members who have "distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service."
The tomb is guarded around the clock by soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," whose duties include making sure visitors behave respectfully. The Pentagon's website notes that in the early 1920s people often used the Tomb as a picnic area, while today the challenges include tourists speaking too loudly or entering the post to get a better picture.
The episode unfolded during a politically tense stretch for Hegseth. Earlier this week, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced articles of impeachment against him. The Republican-led House voted 211 to 204 to shelve the resolution, though Democrats are expected to revive efforts to remove him once they take the majority in January.
Hegseth dismissed Massie's move as a "political spectacle," calling the impeachment push "a farce and a stunt."
