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Bartlett, K. (2026, November 13). Hegseth awards medal to soldier who chastised him. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2026/11/13/nx-s1-6039845/hegseth-awards-medal-to-soldier-who-chastised-him
Bartlett, Kate. “Hegseth awards medal to soldier who chastised him.” NPR, 13 Nov. 2026, https://www.npr.org/2026/11/13/nx-s1-6039845/hegseth-awards-medal-to-soldier-who-chastised-him.
Bartlett, Kate. “Hegseth awards medal to soldier who chastised him.” NPR, November 13, 2026. https://www.npr.org/2026/11/13/nx-s1-6039845/hegseth-awards-medal-to-soldier-who-chastised-him.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his entourage were publicly reprimanded by an Army sentinel during a Veterans Day visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Reports indicate that Hegseth, his wife Jennifer Hegseth, and several top aides were talking, laughing, and taking pictures in front of the memorial. The sentinel, identified as Spc. Thomas Iglesias, issued a stern verbal warning, shouting, "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!" The incident drew significant attention and online criticism, with some critics labeling the secretary "the secretary of offense." In a subsequent move on November 13, Hegseth awarded a medal to Spc. Iglesias for his actions. This event occurred shortly after Hegseth narrowly escaped impeachment the day prior.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal on Thursday after the soldier shouted at Hegseth's group for laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The incident occurred on Veterans Day in 2026 and went viral, leading to intense public criticism and accusations from figures like Rep. Gwen Moore that Hegseth lacked the fitness for his office. The report…
Hegseth awards medal to soldier who chastised him (this article)This analysis reports on the aftermath of a soldier's public reprimand of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his guests at Arlington National Cemetery. Following the incident, the soldier was summoned to the Pentagon on Thursday. The report focuses specifically on the events that occurred during that summons.
Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded his group at Arlington National Cemetery →9 articles from CBS News on this storyThis opinion piece analyzes an incident where Spc. Thomas Iglesias of the Old Guard publicly reprimanded Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for laughing and chatting near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day. The author highlights how the Secretary responded by inviting Iglesias to the Pentagon the following day to receive a Joint Service Commendation Medal for upholding military standards. Beyond the…
Why an Army specialist had the guts to scold the secretary of defense →4 articles from New York Post on this storyDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, for reprimanding a group, including Hegseth, for laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2026. The incident occurred after Hegseth and his entourage attended a Veterans Day ceremony and was met with…
Hegseth gives medal to soldier who reprimanded his group for laughing at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →3 articles from The Independent on this storyDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal on Thursday for reprimanding Hegseth and his guests for their behavior at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day. The incident occurred when Iglesias ordered the group to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect while they were talking and taking pictures, an action the Pentagon describes as a…
Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him at Arlington National Cemetery →3 articles from NBC News on this storyBBC’s Bernd Debusmann reports on an incident where a sentinel at Arlington National Cemetery reprimanded a group including US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth after a Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony. The Pentagon later honored the sentinel, Specialist Thomas Iglesias, with a Joint Service Commendation Medal for enforcing cemetery rules. The article explains the historical context and importance of maintaining…
Military cemetery decorum: The tradition behind Hegseth's Veterans Day reprimand →3 articles from BBC on this storyPete Hegseth, the defense secretary, awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias a Joint Service Commendation Medal for reprimanding Hegseth and his team for laughing and talking near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day visit. The incident occurred at Arlington National Cemetery, where Iglesias, while on duty, enforced the strict code of silence and respect required at the site. This recognition took place…
Pete Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him near Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →3 articles from The Guardian on this storyA soldier named Spc. Thomas Iglesias, who was on duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for reprimanding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's group for laughing after taking photos during a Veterans Day ceremony. The incident occurred when Hegseth’s group, including Trump, was photographed near the tomb, and Iglesias enforced the rule of…
Soldier who admonished Hegseth group at Arlington Cemetery awarded a medal →3 articles from ABC News (US) on this storyPete Hegseth, the Secretary of War, awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias with a Joint Service Commendation Medal after Iglesias reprimanded Hegseth and his group for laughing during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Hegseth posted on social media to praise Iglesias, who had reminded them to maintain silence and respect. The Pentagon spokesperson noted that the award…
Pete Hegseth tucks tail between legs as he awards 'patriot' who yelled at him during Veterans Day ceremony: 'Well done' →2 articles from Daily Mail on this storyOn Thursday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth awarded a medal to Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias, who had earlier gone viral for yelling at a noisy group, believed to be led by Hegseth, to be quiet while Iglesias was on duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The incident occurred the previous day and was broadcast live on television, drawing public attention to Iglesias's actions in…
Hegseth awards medal to Arlington Guard sentinel who shouted at his party to keep quiet at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →2 articles from Washington Examiner on this storyPentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias on Thursday for reprimanding Hegseth’s entourage and insisting on decorum at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day ceremony on November 11, 2026. The medal recognizes meritorious achievement or service, and Iglesias’s action was prompted by laughter from Hegseth’s group, which Iglesias…
Soldier who scolded Hegseth's entourage at Tomb of Unknown Soldier receives special honor from Pentagon chief →2 articles from Fox News on this storyDuring a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day, United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's entourage was reprimanded by an Army guard for laughing loudly while taking photos near the memorial site. The guard reminded them that visitors must maintain silence and respect. This incident occurred as political pressure against Hegseth intensified; he narrowly avoided…
Hegseth entourage reprimanded by guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →2 articles from Al Jazeera on this storyPete Hegseth, U.S. War Secretary, awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal on Thursday, one day after Iglesias reprimanded Hegseth and his staff for laughing loudly at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The reprimand came after Hegseth and his team took photographs at the site, which is considered a highly solemn and…
U.S. army guard given medal by Hegseth day after Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimand →2 articles from CBC on this storyA soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier verbally reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's team after they took photos on its steps during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. The group included Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh.
Hegseth and staff reprimanded by guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →During a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Pete Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, and their staff were scolded by a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guard for laughing near the memorial. The incident occurred after they took photos in front of the tomb; when laughter was heard, the guard reminded them to maintain silence and respect.
Hegseth and staff scolded by guard after laughter heard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →During a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington Cemetery, a guard reprimanded a group including US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for laughing near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The incident occurred as officials commemorated the federal holiday honoring veterans. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that while paying respects, everyone was reminded to maintain decorum by a soldier on duty. The article does not…
‘Silence!’ Guard yells at Hegseth’s group for laughing near Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →During a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Pete Hegseth, after narrowly avoiding impeachment, posed for photos with his wife and staff near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier but were reprimanded by a sentinel for laughing loudly and disrespectfully. The incident highlights tensions over military decorum, as Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell acknowledged the breach while emphasizing respect…
Pete Hegseth’s Crew Got Chewed Out at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →A soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimanded Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his staff for laughing loudly while taking photos at the tomb during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. This incident occurred shortly after Hegseth narrowly avoided impeachment efforts in Congress led by Rep. Thomas Massie, with Democrats like Rep. Gwen Moore criticizing Hegseth's behavior as…
U.S. Defence Secretary Hegseth, staff reprimanded by guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →During a Veterans Day event at Arlington National Cemetery, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s delegation was reminded by a sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to maintain silence and respect after laughter was heard from the group as they climbed its steps. The incident occurred on Wednesday and was reported by CNN. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the secretary respects military…
US marine guard appears to rebuke Hegseth's delegation at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →During a Veterans Day visit to Arlington National Cemetery, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his group were reprimanded by a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guard for violating the site's silence rule while posing for photographs. The video captures laughter from the group just before the soldier politely but firmly reminded them about the need for respect and decorum at the memorial. A Pentagon spokesperson…
Video shows soldier reprimanding Hegseth and advisers at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier →Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his entourage were scolded by a military sentinel at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday after they were filmed laughing and talking while posing for photos. The incident occurred following a Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The article takes a critical angle by highlighting the spectacle as a source of…
Hegseth and his entourage scolded by military sentinel at Tomb of the Unknowns →The Pentagon officially defended an Army sentinel from The Old Guard who shouted at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s entourage to maintain silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day ceremony. Video footage captured Hegseth, his wife, and several advisors laughing and conversing on the steps of the memorial immediately following a wreath-laying ceremony. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell issued a…
Pentagon Backs Soldier Who Called Out Hegseth’s Entourage →Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal on Thursday for reprimanding Hegseth and his aides for inappropriate behavior at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The incident occurred on Wednesday when Hegseth’s group was laughing and talking after taking photos in front of the tomb, and Iglesias reminded them of the need to…
Hegseth gives medal to soldier who reprimanded him and his aides at Arlington National Cemetary →War Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias of the 3rd Infantry Regiment on Thursday, just a day after Iglesias reprimanded members of Hegseth’s entourage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for violating decorum rules. The incident was captured on video, showing Hegseth’s entourage laughing and talking loudly near the tomb, prompting Iglesias to remind them…
Hegseth Awards Medal To Soldier Who Scolded His Entourage On Veterans Day →Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias a Joint Service Commendation Medal after the soldier reprimanded Hegseth and senior officials for laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Memorial Day event. The award follows footage of the group breaking decorum at the Arlington National Cemetery site, where Iglesias shouted for visitors to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect. Pentagon…
Pete Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him at memorial site →Defense chief Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal on November 12 for reprimanding Hegseth and his entourage for laughing and talking near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The award follows a November 11 incident at Arlington National Cemetery where a US Army sentinel shouted at the group to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect while they were taking photos…
Pentagon chief Hegseth decorates soldier who reprimanded him and his entourage →Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias at Arlington National Cemetery following a Veterans Day ceremony. The award was given after Specialist Iglesias reprimanded Hegseth and his staff for laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a site considered one of the nation's most solemn war memorials. The report highlights the contrast between the…
Hegseth gives top award to soldier who scolded him at war cemetery →US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias for his actions at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day visit. Hegseth presented the medal to Iglesias at the Pentagon after Iglesias had earlier reprimanded Hegseth and his aides for not maintaining silence and decorum near the memorial. The incident also brought renewed scrutiny to…
'Well done, specialist': Hegseth honours soldier who scolded his team at war memorial →Reported by outlets on both sides of the middle
A US army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier loudly reprimanded the embattled US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and his top staffers on Wednesday, after some in the group were heard laughing and talking near the memorial following a Veterans Day ceremony.
Pete Hegseth gave an award and took photos with the Army soldier who reprimanded the secretary of war and his top advisers for laughing at a Veterans Day ceremony.
An army sentinel from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment – also known as the Old Guard – has been guarding the tomb around the clock, rain or shine, since 1948.
'The Secretary and the entire Department have always honored—and will always honor—the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe,' Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to the Daily Mail.
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How the first headlines put it
Hegseth’s group reprimanded for laughing during Veterans Day honoring at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Stunning moment Pete Hegseth and his staff screamed at by guard for laughing during solemn Veterans Day memorial: 'Pay respect!'
Hegseth and staff reprimanded by guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Hegseth's group reprimanded for noise at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
Pete Hegseth and others reprimanded by guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Arlington guard scolds Hegseth’s entourage for laughing near Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Hegseth and advisers reprimanded by guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Hegseth and team reprimanded by Arlington national cemetery guard – video
Hegseth and staff scolded by guard after laughter heard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
‘Silence!’ Guard yells at Hegseth’s group for laughing near Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Army sentinel sharply reprimands Hegseth's group at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day
Army guard scolds Pentagon officials, including Pete Hegseth, heard laughing at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Hegseth scolded by security at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Pete Hegseth’s Crew Got Chewed Out at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Hegseth, wife and aides spark scolding from guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
U.S. Defence Secretary Hegseth, staff reprimanded by guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
US marine guard appears to rebuke Hegseth's delegation at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Video shows soldier reprimanding Hegseth and advisers at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Hegseth and his entourage scolded by military sentinel at Tomb of the Unknowns
WATCH: Hegseth's group admonished at Tomb of the Unknowns during Veterans Day visit
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