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Hegseth awarded a medal to the sentinel who reprimanded his group at Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
During a Veterans Day visit, Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias told a group that included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to maintain silence and respect near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Hegseth later presented Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal at the Pentagon.
What the reports agree on
- Iglesias reprimanded or admonished a group that included Hegseth near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Newsweek, The Hill, PBS NewsHour, Guardian World and 3 more
- The incident happened during or around Veterans Day observances. Newsweek, PBS NewsHour, Guardian World, CBS News and 2 more
- Hegseth awarded Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal at the Pentagon. Newsweek, PBS NewsHour, Guardian World, CBS News and 2 more
- Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Iglesias correctly and respectfully reminded visitors to maintain decorum. Newsweek, PBS NewsHour, ABC News
Reported by one outlet
- CBS News reported that a group with Hegseth was reprimanded after laughing near the tomb. CBS News
- France24 reported that Hegseth's wife and aides were with him, and that the group took pictures in front of the memorial. France24
- ABC News reported that the incident happened around 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2026. ABC News
- The Hill reported that Hegseth hosted the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, at the Pentagon. The Hill
The original reports
- CBS News Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded his group at Arlington National Cemetery
- BBC World Military cemetery decorum: The tradition behind Hegseth's Veterans Day reprimand
- CBS News What to know after Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded group at Arlington
- CBS News Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded his party at Arlington's scared tomb
- CBS News Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded his party at Arlington's sacred tomb
- ABC News Soldier who admonished Hegseth group at Arlington Cemetery awarded a medal
- PBS NewsHour Hegseth presents award to soldier who scolded him and his aides at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Guardian World Pete Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him near Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Newsweek Hegseth Awards Medal to Soldier Who Rebuked Him at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
- CBS News Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded group near tomb
- The Hill Sentinel at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier awarded medal by Hegseth
- France24 US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reprimanded at war memorial
- CBS News Pentagon reacts after Hegseth's party was reprimanded at Arlington over laughing near sacred tomb
- ABC News Hegseth's group admonished at Tomb of the Unknowns during Veterans Day visit