Hegseth honors soldier who upheld sacred silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
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Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal after he firmly reminded visitors to remain quiet at the Arlington tomb on Veterans Day, a fitting recognition for disciplined service and respect for America’s fallen heroes.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday presented Specialist Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his actions at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day ceremony, recognizing a soldier who upheld the dignity of one of America’s most sacred memorials. The award ceremony was documented in photos posted by Hegseth on X, showing the soldier and members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, who guard the tomb around the clock.
According to a Pentagon official, Hegseth awarded the medal for Iglesias' "execution of his duties" at the tomb on November 11, 2026. The ceremony followed a Veterans Day event that included President Trump and other administration officials. Footage from the event captured Iglesias responding to a visitor who laughed by stating, "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CBS News that the department "has always honored—and will always honor—the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe" and that the soldier "correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum" while commemorating the solemn day. For supporters, the episode is exactly what the armed forces should embody: discipline, reverence, and an unwavering standard of conduct at a place dedicated to the nation’s unknown war dead.