# Hegseth honours Arlington guard who reminded his party to keep quiet

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/hegseth-awards-medal-to-war-memorial-guard-who-reprimanded-him-and-group/
- Published: 2026-11-12T18:47:35+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T21:00:39+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC World (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmvg2r3dq7xno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Hegseth awarded a medal to the guard who reprimanded his group.
- Specialist Thomas Iglesias upheld silence rules at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- Guards have kept watch over the tomb around the clock since 1948.

## Summary

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias, the Army guard who told Hegseth’s group to be quiet at Arlington National Cemetery. The gesture followed a video showing Hegseth, his wife and senior advisers talking and laughing while posing for photographs near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where visitors are expected to remain silent and respectful.

Iglesias, a member of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, reminded the group that visitors must maintain “an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times”. The Pentagon said he had correctly and respectfully upheld decorum; guards keep watch over the tomb around the clock, a duty held since 1948, and reportedly admonish visitors several times a day. The incident took place during Veterans Day observances, which also included President Donald Trump’s speech and a wreath-laying ceremony.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.