Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Thursday awarded a medal to the Army soldier who reprimanded him and his entourage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after laughter was heard from the group on Veterans Day.
“We love soldiers. We love standards,” Hegseth wrote Thursday in a post on X. “Well done, Specialist.”
“Carry on Patriots,” he added.
A Pentagon official confirmed to Fox News Digital in a Thursday statement that Hegseth had “proudly” awarded Spc. Thomas Iglesias the medal for “the execution of his duties.”
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“As shown in the photos, Secretary Hegseth welcomed the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, to the Pentagon where he proudly awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026,” the official said.
The Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded to members of the military who distinguish themselves through meritorious achievement or service, typically while serving in joint military operations or activities.
The award comes after video from Wednesday showed Iglesias reminding visitors to remain silent and maintain decorum after laughter was heard as Hegseth and his entourage walked away from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following a Veterans Day ceremony.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the soldier commanded to the entourage at the time.
Following the incident on Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CBS News that Hegseth 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 added.
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