Hegseth Awards Medal To Soldier Who Scolded His Entourage On Veterans Day

War Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a medal Thursday to a soldier who had reprimanded members of the secretary’s own entourage one day earlier at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias of the 3rd Infantry Regiment — commonly referred to as “The Old Guard’ — at the Pentagon on Thursday morning, sharing a series of photos from the brief ceremony on X.

“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist,” Hegseth posted, adding, “Carry on Patriots!”

The award followed a viral video showing members of Hegseth’s group laughing and talking near the tomb while Iglesias stood guard. The soldier responded with a reminder: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”

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

A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed to CNN on Thursday that Hegseth had invited the soldier to the Pentagon for the award, adding, “[Hegseth] 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.”

Army Ranger veteran and chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell had previously stated that the War Department stood behind Iglesias, saying that he had “correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”

Hegseth’s entourage included his wife, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser and deputy assistant Tami Radabaugh. The video showed the group posing for several photos near the tomb before members could be heard laughing and talking — and Iglesias responded by reprimanding them.

Members of The Old Guard often address tourists and visitors who do not appear to show proper respect at the memorial.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier — which honors unidentified American service members killed in war — currently holds the remains of three service members: one each from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

A fourth unknown soldier, whose body was recovered from Vietnam, was interred there in 1984. It was later removed when DNA testing confirmed the identity of the remains in 1998: Air Force Lt. Michael J. Blassie. Blassie was a pilot who had been killed in action in Vietnam in 1972.