Presidential Medal of Freedom
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| Presidential Medal of Freedom | |
|---|---|
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| Awarded by the President of the United States | |
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | "An especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." |
| Status | Active |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1945 |
| First awarded | 1946 |
| Distinct recipients |
257[1] |
| Precedence | |
| Next (lower) | Presidential Citizens Medal |
 Ribbon |
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The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a decoration bestowed by the President of the United States and is, along with the equivalent Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of Congress, the highest civilian award in the United States. It is designed to recognize individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The award is not limited to United States citizens, and while a civilian award, can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform.
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[edit] History of the award
The Presidential Medal of Freedom has its roots in the Medal of Freedom established by President Harry Truman in 1945 to honor civilian service during World War II.[1] President John F. Kennedy nominally revived the medal in 1963 through Executive Order 11085. In practical terms, this order created what amounted to a new decoration, with totally different insignia, vastly expanded purpose, and far higher prestige.[2]
The medal is awarded annually, on or near the Fourth of July, and at other times as chosen by the President. Recipients are selected by the President, either on his own initiative or based on recommendations. The order reviving the medal also expanded the size and the responsibilities of the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board so it could serve as a major source of such recommendations.
The medal may be awarded to an individual more than once (for example, John Kenneth Galbraith and Colin Powell), and may also be awarded posthumously (for example, Paul "Bear" Bryant, Roberto Clemente, and John F. Kennedy).
[edit] Insignia
The badge of the Presidential Medal of Freedom is in the form of a golden star with white enamel, with a red enamel pentagon behind it; the central disc bears thirteen gold stars on a blue enamel background (taken from the Great Seal of the United States) within a golden ring. Golden American Eagles with spread wings stand between the points of the star. It is worn around the neck on a blue ribbon with white edge stripes.
A special grade of the medal, known as the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, has the above mentioned medal worn as a star on the left chest; in addition, the above-mentioned ribbon is worn as a sash on the right shoulder, with its rosette (blue with white edge, bearing the central disc of the medal at its center) resting on the left hip.
The medal may also be worn in miniature form on the above-mentioned ribbon on the left chest, with a silver American eagle with spread wings on the ribbon (or a golden eagle if a medal "With Distinction"). In addition, the medal is accompanied by a ribbon bar for wear on military uniform and a lapel badge for wear on civilian business suit (all shown in the accompanying photograph of the full presentation set).
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[edit] See also
- Awards and decorations of the United States government
- Awards and decorations of the United States military
- List of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
- Presidential Citizens Medal
- Légion d'honneur
- Order of Canada
- Order of Australia
- Order of Merit
