Secretary of War Pete Hegseth awarded a Joint Service Commendation Medal to the Army specialist who reprimanded Hegseth and his advisors for laughing during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
The incident occurred Wednesday after a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, his chief of staff Ricky Buria, and two other advisors were leaving, laughter was heard from their group. A soldier from the 'Old Guard,' tasked with protecting the tomb, immediately shouted, "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!"
Hegseth later posted photos of himself with Specialist Thomas Iglesias in his Pentagon office, pinning the medal on the soldier. "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots," Hegseth wrote on social media.
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the award was given "for the execution of his duties" at the Tomb. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the soldier "correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum."
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, marking the resting place of an unidentified World War I American soldier, is guarded daily by members of the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the 'Old Guard,' since 1948.
The day prior to the ceremony, Hegseth held a press briefing to address a failed impeachment resolution led by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie. The resolution accused Hegseth of "high crimes and misdemeanors," among other allegations, which Hegseth dismissed as a "political spectacle" rather than legitimate oversight.