Hegseth Personally Awards Medal to Soldier Who Scolded Him and Others on Veterans Day: 'We Love Standards'
It is one thing to say “service over self.” It is another to live it.
After a day of dealing with imprecise media accounts saying he was scolded during a Veterans Day visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, amid a congressional hunt for his scalp via impeachment, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth could be expected to put the fuss behind him.
Instead, he honored the soldier who issued a general reprimand when someone broke the solemnity of the occasion.
Hegseth posted photos of him awarding a medal to a soldier who reminded visitors on Wednesday to be appropriate.
We love soldiers.
We love standards.
Well done, Specialist.Carry on Patriots. https://t.co/Uk6ek6oOso
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 12, 2026
“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots,” Hegseth posted.
Specialist Thomas Iglesias, a member of the unit that stands guard by the tomb in Arlington National Cemetery, was awarded the medal, according to CBS News.
Iglesias was presented with the Joint Service Commendation Medal, which the New York Post noted “is considered to be one of the higher awards in the military and is not typically issued to junior enlisted service members.”
On Veterans Day, Hegseth, his wife and some aides were at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for an event.
At some point, laughter came from a member of the group. No media account has said Hegseth was the source of the laughter.
Iglesias then declared, “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
Pentagon representative Sean Parnell noted after the event that, “The Secretary and the entire Department have always honored-and will always honor-the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe.”
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell said.
On Thursday, the Pentagon said Hegseth “welcomed the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, 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.”
As noted by Military.com, enforcing the standards appropriate to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is common.
Staff Sgt. Chadwick Winget told Army.com that a rebuke is issued two or three times a day.
“It’s usually just them being oblivious,” he said.
“They’re talking and not realizing how loud they’re being, or laughing or making jokes amongst their group. It detracts from the other people that are trying to pay their respects,” he said then.
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