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Sentinel reprimands Hegseth and aides at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later awarded the soldier a Joint Service Commendation Medal, according to NPR reporting.

Published Nov 13, 2026 · 11:49 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • A US Army sentinel at Arlington's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier loudly reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top staffers on Wednesday after some in the group were heard laughing near the memorial.[The Guardian]
  • Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum, while former GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger condemned the incident and called Hegseth unqualified for the job.[The Guardian]
  • Hegseth later invited the soldier, Spc. Thomas Iglesias, to the Pentagon and awarded him a commendation medal.[NPR]

Key facts

  • A US Army sentinel loudly reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his top staffers on Wednesday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.[The Guardian]
  • The reprimand followed a Veterans Day ceremony and came after some in the group were heard laughing and talking near the memorial.[The Guardian]
  • Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.[The Guardian]
  • Former GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger condemned the incident and called Hegseth completely unqualified for the job.[The Guardian]
  • On Thursday, Hegseth invited Spc. Thomas Iglesias to the Pentagon and awarded him the Joint Service Commendation Medal.[NPR]

What remains uncertain

  • The reporting does not identify which members of the group were laughing, and the Pentagon and critics characterize the incident differently.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.