Pentagon Chief Decorates Soldier Who Enforced Arlington Silence
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal at the Pentagon on Thursday after the army sentinel publicly reprimanded Hegseth and his entourage for violating silence protocols at Arlington National Cemetery. Military personnel and defense officials observed the department leader honor the junior enlisted soldier following a viral Veterans Day incident where Iglesias enforced military decorum directly against the secretary’s official party.
Pentagon Chief Commends Army Sentinel After Tomb Protocol Violation
Iglesias was actively guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Wednesday when Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, and accompanying staffers were heard talking and laughing while taking photographs on the front steps. The sentinel shouted, “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!” to restore quiet across the plaza. Hegseth summoned Iglesias to his Pentagon office the following day to bestow the Joint Service Commendation Medal, an honor rarely presented to junior enlisted service members, stating, “We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist.” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell publicly commended Iglesias for correctly and respectfully reminding the group to maintain decorum.
The high-profile commendation unfolded during the same week Hegseth survived an impeachment attempt in Congress over his management of military operations in the ongoing war with Iran.
