U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a commendation medal to the sentry who yelled “Quiet!” at him and his entourage while they were laughing and talking near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
According to CNN and other outlets on the 12th (local time), a U.S. Department of Defense official stated, “Secretary Hegseth proudly awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Corporal Thomas Iglesias for his service at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Nov. 11, 2026.” The Washington Post explained that the Joint Service Commendation Medal is a mid-level award recognizing meritorious service.
Hegseth hosted members of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as ‘The Old Guard,’ at the Pentagon that day. The U.S. military has guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 24 hours a day since 1937, with soldiers from The Old Guard taking on this duty since 1948.
The day before, following a Veterans Day ceremony, Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, Chief of Staff Ricky Berria, Deputy Chief of Staff Patrick Weaver, and Senior Advisor and Deputy Assistant Tammy Radabaugh took photos in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After the photography concluded, as the sound of laughing and talking among some members of the entourage was heard, Corporal Iglesias, who was patrolling in front of the tomb, stopped and turned toward the group.
He shouted in a booming voice, “All visitors, please maintain silence and show respect at all times!” Hegseth turned his head and briefly looked at him upon hearing the voice.
After related reports were published, Sean Parnell, senior spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated that the sentry’s reminder for everyone to show respect was “appropriate and polite.” Consequently, Hegseth awarded him a medal to encourage him for properly executing his duties.
Hegseth posted a photo of the medal presentation on his X (formerly Twitter) account, writing, “We love our troops. We value discipline. Well done, Corporal.” He added, “Patriots, keep up the mission.”
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the resting place for unidentified American service members who died in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, making it one of the most sacred war memorial sites in the United States.
It is the sentry’s duty to demand quiet when visitors become excessively noisy in order to maintain the solemn atmosphere of the grounds. Corporal Iglesias applied this principle without exception even to the cabinet secretary, shouting at him to remain quiet. The video of the incident quickly spread on social media, sparking heavy criticism against Hegseth.
This incident occurred the day after an impeachment attempt against Hegseth failed in the U.S. House of Representatives. Litigation is also underway regarding a roughly 76-meter-high triumphal arch that the Trump administration is pushing to build near the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery.
