Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday awarded a commendation to the Army sentinel who reprimanded him and his guests for their behavior at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day.
“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist,” Hegseth wrote in a post on X with a picture of him awarding Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his action while guarding the site.
Hegseth, his wife, Jennifer, and some of Hegseth’s top aides were taking pictures, talking and laughing in front of the tomb on Wednesday when Iglesias directed them to stop.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” he shouted.
Hegseth did not acknowledge the reprimand at the time, and looked over his shoulder before continuing to walk up a set of stairs.
Asked for comment after the incident, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth and the department “have always honored” service members’ sacrifices and praised Iglesias’ actions.
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell said in a statement.
The medal Hegseth gave Iglesias is for service members who have “distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service,” according to the Army.
Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” stand watch at the tomb 24 hours a day, in part to make sure visitors behave respectfully. “In the early 1920s, people often used the Tomb as a picnic area. Today, challenges include tourists speaking too loudly or entering the post for a better picture,” according to the Pentagon’s website.
The incident happened at a politically fraught time for Hegseth.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth earlier his week. The Republican-led House voted 211-204 to shelve the resolution, but Democrats are likely to renew efforts to oust him when they become the majority party in January.
Hegseth blasted Massie’s effort as “political spectacle,” saying the impeachment push was “a farce and a stunt.”
