U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Thursday awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Private First Class Thomas Iglesias. The day before, the soldier had admonished a delegation led by Hegseth for inappropriate behavior during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery.

CNN reported that a Pentagon representative confirmed that Hegseth received soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” at department headquarters and “proudly presented Pfc. Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal for exemplary performance of duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026.”

For Veterans Day, observed in the U.S. that day, a government delegation led by Hegseth visited Arlington National Cemetery. The head of the Pentagon and his accompanying guests, including his wife, took photos, talked loudly and laughed. At one point, the soldier standing guard at the tomb called everyone to order, loudly reciting the relevant rule: “All visitors are required to maintain silence and show respect at all times.”

“We love our soldiers. We value standards. Good job, Private First Class! Keep it up, patriots,” Hegseth wrote, commenting on the incident.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stressed that the soldier “reminded everyone, in a proper and respectful manner, of the need to maintain appropriate conduct.” He noted that the Arlington tomb is one of the most important sites of national remembrance in the U.S. He added that the guard standing watch there, a post held without interruption by soldiers of The Old Guard since 1948, is expected to “ensure a respectful atmosphere at this site, which also includes calling out people who behave inappropriately.” (PAP)