Defense Secretary Hegseth honors soldier for enforcing silence at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Pete Hegseth presented Specialist Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal after the soldier reminded visitors to keep quiet at the Arlington tomb on Veterans Day.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented Specialist Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal on Thursday for his actions at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day ceremony. 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.