The Pentagon has publicly supported a US Army guard who rebuked a group that included Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Footage from the Veterans Day observance on Wednesday captured Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing, talking, and posing for photographs in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The video shows the sentinel on duty approaching the group and calling out: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the guard’s actions in a statement, saying: “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
He added: “The Secretary and the entire Department have always honored — and will always honor — the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe.”
On Thursday, Hegseth presented an award to the soldier who had confronted his group.
The Pentagon said Hegseth “welcomed the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, to the Pentagon, where he proudly awarded 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.”
In a post on X featuring the soldier, Hegseth wrote: “We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist.”
Arlington National Cemetery’s etiquette guidelines ask visitors to speak quietly and refrain from disrespectful or disorderly behaviour.
The tomb, one of the nation’s most revered war memorials, marks the final resting place of an unknown service member killed in World War I.
A member of the 3rd Infantry Regiment has maintained watch over the tomb around the clock since 1948.
According to the BBC’s US partner CBS News, it is not uncommon for these guards to admonish visitors — something that reportedly happens several times a day.