Official portrait of Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War, in a navy pinstripe suit and blue tie, in front of the US flag and the Department flag; AI-recomposed version. — **Archive portrait** · Photo: Chad J. McNeeley / Departamento de Defesa dos EUA, Domínio público (obra do governo dos EUA) · Image credits

**Archive portrait** · Photo: Chad J. McNeeley / Departamento de Defesa dos EUA, Domínio público (obra do governo dos EUA) · Image credits

Pete Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him near Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Told by 16 newspapers in 10 countries, between 18:00 and 10:00 on 12 November 2026.

In this story

The headline in each newspaper

PBS NEWSHOUR: Hegseth presents award to soldier who scolded him and his aides at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
GEO NEWS: US soldier who told Pentagon chief to keep quiet at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier gets medal from Hegseth
CBC NEWS: U.S. army guard given medal by Hegseth day after Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimand

In short

Pete Hegseth awarded a U.S. soldier who scolded him and his group near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.1 2 3 4 5 According to RTP, the soldier said «Well done, soldier» after the group laughed, and CBS News and ABC News place the event at Arlington.6 7 8 Fox News calls the recognition a special honor from the Pentagon chief.9

AIMade at 17:06, only from the headlines. Each number links to the source headline. Written when the story had 15 newspapers; it is redone when new newspapers join. How it is made

Compare the papers

What newspapers from several countries agree on, where the accounts differ and who is involved, so each reader can draw their own conclusions.

Common ground

According to US, UK, Canadian, Australian and Mexican outlets, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a medal to a soldier who rebuked him and his entourage near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington.1 2 3 +58 newspapers from 5 countries
According to Pakistani, UK and Portuguese outlets, the soldier told Hegseth and his entourage to keep quiet during the ceremony.2 9 10 114 newspapers from 3 countries

Where accounts differ

Observador and Gazeta do Povo do not mention the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, only that the soldier rebuked the secretary or his entourage.11 12
According to RPP, the soldier is a sentry and the secretary is named Pete Hegseth; Gazeta do Povo speaks of a military man and a War Secretary.13 12
The award is described as a medal by some (The Guardian, ABC News US, NPR, CBC) and as a special or top honour by others (Fox News, ABC News Australia).2 8 14 +3
Outlets differ on the wording of the request: Clarín reports a demand for silence, Geo News a demand to keep quiet, and others a reprimand or rebuke.15 9 2

Who is involved

Pete Hegseth, US Defense Secretary, appears as the one who awarded the soldier, a day after the rebuke according to CBC.1 3
The soldier, identified in the headlines only as a soldier or sentry, appears as the one who rebuked the secretary and his entourage; the headlines do not give his reasons.1 4 13

Background

2025Pete Hegseth has been US Secretary of Defense since 2025 and was confirmed by the Senate with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance.W
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington is guarded around the clock by a Tomb Guard from the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the US Army, known as The Old Guard.W

AIMade at 17:06 from 15 headlines from 10 countries; the background, from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Each number links to the source. Rules

The headlines, side by side

Each headline is the original, as the newspaper published it, in the order it arrived. The selection follows the public grouping rule, with no AI.

Highlighted words are used only by that newspaper, among the headlines in the same language. They show what each one chose to stress.

PBS NewsHour · United States · 18:45Hegseth presents award to soldier who scolded him and his aides at Tomb of the Unknown SoldierRead at the newspaper ↗
The Guardian · United Kingdom · 18:20Pete Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded him near Tomb of the Unknown SoldierRead at the newspaper ↗
Geo News · Pakistan · 18:40US soldier who told Pentagon chief to keep quiet at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier gets medal from HegsethRead at the newspaper ↗
CBC News · Canada · 18:20U.S. army guard given medal by Hegseth day after Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimandRead at the newspaper ↗
El Universal · Mexico · 19:45Hegseth condecora al militar que lo reprendió en la Tumba del soldado desconocido; "bien hecho", le diceRead at the newspaper ↗
CBS News · United States · 19:00Hegseth awards medal to soldier who reprimanded his party at Arlington's scared tombRead at the newspaper ↗
RTP · Portugal · 19:25"Muito bem, soldado". Hegseth condecora soldado que o repreendeu após risos junto a túmulo militarRead at the newspaper ↗
Fox News · United States · 19:45Soldier who scolded Hegseth's entourage at Tomb of Unknown Soldier receives special honor from Pentagon chiefRead at the newspaper ↗
BBC News · United Kingdom · 20:40Hegseth awards medal to war memorial guard who reprimanded him and groupRead at the newspaper ↗
Clarín · Argentina · 20:15Hegseth condecora al soldado que le mandó guardar silencio durante un homenaje militarRead at the newspaper ↗
Observador · Portugal · 20:20Pete Hegseth condecora militar que o repreendeuRead at the newspaper ↗
Gazeta do Povo · Brazil · 21:45Secretário de Guerra dos EUA condecora militar que exigiu silêncio de sua comitiva durante cerimôniaRead at the newspaper ↗
ABC News · Australia · 22:35Hegseth gives top award to soldier who scolded him at war cemeteryRead at the newspaper ↗
RPP · Peru · 22:35Un centinela exigió silencio a Pete Hegseth ante la Tumba del Soldado Desconocido y terminó condecorado [VIDEO]Read at the newspaper ↗
ABC News · United States · 23:40Soldier who admonished Hegseth group at Arlington Cemetery awarded a medalRead at the newspaper ↗
NPR · United States · 10:30Hegseth awards medal to soldier who chastised himRead at the newspaper ↗

Words in common

hegseth
soldier
medal
tomb