Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reminded his group to stay silent

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal after Iglesias reminded Hegseth and his staff to maintain silence and respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Veterans Day observances at Arlington National Cemetery. Hegseth praised the soldier’s commitment to standards, while Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Iglesias had acted correctly and respectfully. The episode followed a loud laugh from Hegseth’s group near the memorial, which honors unidentified service members and has been guarded around the clock by the Army’s Old Guard since 1948.