Hegseth awards soldier who corrected him at Arlington tomb

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded the soldier who corrected him at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier a top military medal.

On Wednesday, November 11, Hegseth and a group of aides took photos on the steps of the tomb after a Veterans Day ceremony that included President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Video captured a loud laugh from the group. Spc. Thomas Iglesias, the soldier guarding the site, reprimanded the visitors to maintain decorum.

The incident drew public attention to the Defense Secretary. On Tuesday, Hegseth survived an impeachment attempt led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and backed by Democrats. In his first news conference in months, Hegseth called the effort sabotage. Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s top spokesman, said soon after the video emerged that Iglesias correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.

On Thursday, Hegseth posted photos to social media showing him pinning the award to Iglesias. The post read, “We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist.” The Pentagon confirmed the award was the Joint Service Commendation Medal for the execution of duties at the tomb on November 11, 2026.

The Joint Service Commendation Medal is one of the higher awards in the military. It is not typically issued to junior enlisted service members. The tomb has been guarded around the clock by a soldier from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as “The Old Guard,” since 1948.

Hegseth welcomed the Army unit that guards the tomb to the Pentagon. The tomb is the final resting place of unidentified soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh were present at the site during the photo session.

With Democrats set to take control of the House and Senate in January, impeachment efforts against Hegseth are likely to be renewed. Republicans may have only delayed a bid to impeach him. Hegseth argued that the impeachment effort was an indictment against the nation’s service members.