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Pete Hegseth awarded a medal to the Army sentinel who reprimanded his group near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
During a Veterans Day visit to Arlington National Cemetery, sentinel Thomas Iglesias told Hegseth’s group to maintain silence and respect near the tomb after laughter was heard. Hegseth later presented Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal at the Pentagon.
What the reports agree on
- Pete Hegseth awarded Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal. CBS News, Newsweek, The Hill, PBS NewsHour and 2 more
- Iglesias told Hegseth’s group to maintain silence or respect near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. CBS News, Newsweek, PBS NewsHour, Guardian World and 1 more
- The incident occurred during a Veterans Day visit to Arlington National Cemetery. CBS News, France24, ABC News, PBS NewsHour and 1 more
- Iglesias served with the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard. CBS News, Newsweek, PBS NewsHour, Guardian World
Where reports differ
- France24 says the group laughed and took pictures in front of the memorial; ABC News says someone laughed as the group dispersed after a group photo. France24
Reported by one outlet
- ABC News reports that the incident happened around 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2026. ABC News
- The Hill says Hegseth hosted the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment at the Pentagon. The Hill
- PBS NewsHour says the Arlington ceremony included President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. PBS NewsHour
- CBS News reports that a regiment member said in a 2022 Army interview that sentinels respond to the crowd two or three times per day. CBS News
The original reports
- CBS News What to know after Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded group at Arlington
- CBS News Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded his party at Arlington's scared tomb
- CBS News Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded his party at Arlington's sacred tomb
- ABC News Soldier who admonished Hegseth group at Arlington Cemetery awarded a medal
- PBS NewsHour Hegseth presents award to soldier who scolded him and his aides at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Guardian World Pete Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him near Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Newsweek Hegseth Awards Medal to Soldier Who Rebuked Him at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
- CBS News Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded group near tomb
- The Hill Sentinel at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier awarded medal by Hegseth
- France24 US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reprimanded at war memorial
- CBS News Pentagon reacts after Hegseth's party was reprimanded at Arlington over laughing near sacred tomb
- ABC News Hegseth's group admonished at Tomb of the Unknowns during Veterans Day visit