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Presidential Medal of Freedom

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The Presidential Medal of Freedom

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." Though a civilian award created by executive order (rather than by a decision of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), the Medal can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform.

History of the award

Medal and other accoutrements including undress ribbon, miniature, and tie clasp.

It was established by President Harry Truman in 1945 to honor service during World War II.[1] President John F. Kennedy revived the medal in 1963 through Executive Order 11085, and expanded its purpose.[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 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).


Insignia

Muhammad Ali's Presidential Medal of Freedom on display at the Muhammad Ali Center

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 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").

Ronald Reagan receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1993
President Ronald Reagan presents Mother Teresa with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony, 1985

See also

References

  1. ^ Executive Order 9590, signed 21 July 1945;Federal Register 10 FR 9203, July 25, 1945
  2. ^ Executive Order 11085, signed 22 February 1963; Federal Register 28 FR 1759, February 26, 1963
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