War Secretary Pete Hegseth has presented a Joint Service Commendation Medal to Spc. Thomas Iglesias, the soldier who reprimanded Hegseth and members of his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
Hegseth announced the honor on social media Thursday, posting photographs of himself pinning the medal on Iglesias and shaking his hand. His message was brief and pointed: “We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist.”
Hegseth welcomed the Army unit responsible for guarding the tomb to the Pentagon before presenting the award. The Pentagon said Iglesias received the medal “for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026.”
AWESOME! SecWar Pete Hegseth just gave a MEDAL to the sentinel who reprimanded someone that laughed out loud near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day, in Hegseth’s group
“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots.”
DEPT. OF WAR OFFICIAL: “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 Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026.”
He carried out his duties.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a regular visitor or with the SECRETARY OF WAR. Standards are standards and Pete knows it.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 12, 2026 [2]
Iglesias had reprimanded Hegseth and a group of his staff members after a loud laugh was heard at the solemn memorial. The sound came after the group took photographs following a ceremony attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Video showed Hegseth posing for photographs Wednesday on the empty steps in front of the tomb. He was accompanied by his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is considered one of the most solemn and revered war memorials in the United States. It serves as the final resting place of unidentified soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
A soldier from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment has guarded the tomb around the clock since 1948, regardless of weather. The regiment is also known as “The Old Guard,” and its members maintain the strict standards associated with the memorial.
The Joint Service Commendation Medal is considered one of the military’s higher awards. According to the report, the medal is not typically presented to junior enlisted service members, making Hegseth’s decision to honor Iglesias particularly notable.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s top spokesman, defended the soldier’s actions soon after video of the reprimand emerged. Parnell said Iglesias “correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
The public scolding again placed attention on Hegseth, who had survived an impeachment attempt one day earlier. The effort represented another challenge for the embattled War Secretary, though his critics failed to remove him in Tuesday’s vote.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie led the impeachment push, which was backed by Democrats. Although the effort was unsuccessful, Republicans may have only delayed another attempt to impeach Hegseth.
Democrats are set to take control of both the House and Senate in January, and the report said impeachment efforts are likely to be renewed. Hegseth, meanwhile, used his first news conference in months Tuesday to sharply reject the case against him.
Hegseth argued that he had committed none of the high crimes required under the Constitution for his removal. He also framed the impeachment effort as an indictment against the nation’s service members and their successes.
“This is not patriotism,” Hegseth argued. “This is sabotage.” Two days later, his social media post praising Iglesias emphasized both soldiers and standards while showing the War Secretary honoring the service member who had publicly enforced those standards at Arlington.