Hegseth gives award to soldier who publicly reprimanded him

• US War Secretary Pete Hegseth presented an award to an Army sentinel who reprimanded him and his team for laughing and talking near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
• The soldier, a member of the 3rd Infantry Regiment's Old Guard, interrupted the group during Wednesday's Veterans Day commemorations, reminding visitors to maintain silence and respect.
• Footage showed Hegseth posing for photographs with his wife and aides before laughter and conversation prompted the sentinel to stop his patrol and issue the warning.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday presented an award to an Army soldier who publicly reprimanded him and members of his team for laughing and talking near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery during Veterans Day commemorations.

The recognition came a day after the soldier, a sentinel from the US Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, interrupted Hegseth's group to remind them to maintain silence and respect at the memorial.

Footage of Wednesday's incident showed Hegseth posing for photographs with his wife, Jennifer, and members of his team near the tomb. As the group began leaving, laughter and conversation could be heard, prompting the sentinel to stop his patrol and issue a loud reminder: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."

Hegseth briefly glanced back at the soldier before continuing up the steps.

The Pentagon subsequently defended the sentinel's intervention, with chief spokesman Sean Parnell saying the soldier had "correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum."

"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," Parnell said.

The award presentation marks a notable follow-up to an incident that attracted attention over the conduct of senior US officials at one of the country's most solemn military memorials.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier contains the remains of unidentified American service members killed in past wars and has been guarded around the clock by Old Guard soldiers since 1948. Its strict rules require visitors to maintain silence and behave respectfully.

The incident occurred shortly after President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other officials attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery.

Read more: Hegseth rebuked by military guard for laughing during visit to US military tomb