Arlington guard's medal unusual for junior troops, Japanese report says

Pete Hegseth recognized the sentinel who demanded silence from his group at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Channel: ANNnewsCH ·

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米国防長官　大声で注意した衛兵に勲章授与　自身と側近らが「無名戦士の墓」で談笑(2026年11月13日)

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The medal awarded to an Arlington sentinel carries an unusual distinction: American media describe it as a high-level decoration not generally given to junior soldiers, Japan's TV Asahi news channel ANNnewsCH reports.

The guard had loudly demanded silence and respect while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, his wife and aides were chatting near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after a Veterans Day ceremony on November 11. The memorial stands at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington.

As we reported here, footage of the reprimand had already brought attention to the encounter. This follow-up moves to Hegseth's response: photographs posted on November 12 show him shaking hands with the sentinel and presenting the award.

"We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots," Hegseth wrote in the English-language post displayed in the report.

Citing CNN, the report says the medal recognized the guard for carrying out his duties at the tomb. It does not name the decoration, but closes by emphasizing how unusual such an award is for a soldier of his rank.

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