US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has awarded a medal to the guard who reprimanded his group at Arlington National Cemetery.

A video of a Veterans Day observance event on Wednesday showed Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing and talking while posing for photos in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before the guard told them to be quiet.

In a statement, the Pentagon later announced that Hegseth had given Specialist Thomas Iglesias a Joint Service Commendation Medal “for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”.

Photos shared on the defence secretary’s X account showed him presenting the medal to Iglesias.

He was accompanied by others whom the Pentagon identified as members of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, which is responsible for holding vigil over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots,” the accompanying text on Hegseth’s post reads.

In the video, the army sentinel on duty later identified as Iglesias can be seen stepping towards Hegseth’s group and shouting: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”