Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given a top award to a service member who scolded him at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Specialist Thomas Iglesias reprimanded Mr Hegseth and a group of staffers when a loud laugh was heard at the site.
Mr Hegseth posted photos of him giving the Joint Service Commendation medal to Specialist Iglesias.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given a top award to a service member who scolded him and his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week.
Mr Hegseth posted photos to social media that show him pinning the award and shaking hands with the soldier.
His post says: "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist."
Mr Hegseth welcomed the army unit that guards the tomb and gave Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal "for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026", the Pentagon said.
Specialist Iglesias reprimanded Mr Hegseth and a group of his staffers when a loud laugh was heard after they took photos at the site, following a ceremony that included US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance.
Video of the incident showed Mr Hegseth taking photos on the empty steps in front…
