Hegseth praises soldier who enforced standards at tomb of the unknown soldier

WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has honoured an Army soldier who reprimanded him and members of his staff following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery recognising the service member for carrying out his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has honoured an Army soldier who reprimanded him and members of his staff following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery recognising the service member for carrying out his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Hegseth presented Specialist Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal during a visit to the Pentagon by the Army unit responsible for guarding the historic memorial.

According to the Pentagon, the award recognised Iglesias for his performance of duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026.

Hegseth also shared photographs of the ceremony on social media, showing him presenting the medal to the soldier and shaking his hand.

“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist,” Hegseth wrote in his post.

The recognition followed an incident during the Veterans Day observance which was attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Video footage showed Hegseth taking photographs on the steps in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier alongside his wife, Jennifer, and several members of his staff, including chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh.

During the visit, a loud laugh was reportedly heard after the group had taken photographs. Iglesias subsequently reprimanded Hegseth and the staff members, drawing attention to the conduct expected at the solemn memorial.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is among the most respected military memorials in the United States. It honours unidentified American service members who died in the line of duty.

The tomb serves as the final resting place of unidentified soldiers from the First World War, Second World War and Korean War.

The award to Iglesias has brought renewed attention to the strict standards of conduct maintained by the soldiers who guard the memorial and the significance of preserving its dignity.