Malcolm Rivera
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. It is bestowed upon individuals who have made an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavours. The medal was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and is awarded at the discretion of the president. Notable recipients include Walt Disney, Duke Ellington, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Bob Dylan, and Tiger Woods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Awarding Body | The President of the United States |
| Eligibility | Any person recommended to the President or selected by the President |
| Eligibility | No restriction on nationality |
| Eligibility | Civilian, military personnel |
| Frequency | Annually, on or about July 4 |
| Frequency | Can be awarded at other times, as deemed appropriate by the President |
| Posthumous Award | Allowed |
| Advisory Body | Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board |
| Award Type | Supreme civilian decoration |
| Award Type | Highest civilian award of the United States |
| Award Type | Sash and star decoration (with distinction) |
| Award Design | Golden star with white enamel, with a red enamel pentagon behind it |
| Award Design | Central disc with thirteen gold stars on a blue enamel background |
| Award Design | Golden bald eagles with spread wings stand between the points of the star |
| Award Design | Worn around the neck on a blue ribbon with white edge stripes |
| Award Design | Bow worn on the left chest (for women) |
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What You'll Learn
The award is decided by the US president
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. It was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy through Executive Order 11085. The medal is awarded at the discretion of the president, who can choose to bestow it upon any person of their choosing or upon the recommendation of the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board. This board, established in 1957, serves in an advisory capacity to the president. While the majority of recipients are U.S. citizens, the award is not limited to Americans and can be given to anyone the president deems worthy.
The medal is typically bestowed upon the recipient by the sitting president who has selected them. However, there have been instances where the honoree was chosen by a previous president and awarded by their successor. For example, the first recipients selected by President Kennedy in 1963 were formally awarded the medal by his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson.
The criteria for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom are outlined in Executive Order 11085, which states that the award recognises individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavours." This expanded the scope of its predecessor, the Medal of Freedom, which was awarded to honour civilian service during World War II.
The medal is usually awarded annually on or around July 4th, but the president has the discretion to make awards at other times as deemed appropriate. It is worth noting that the medal can also be awarded posthumously, recognising individuals who have made significant contributions even after their passing.
The design of the medal is also significant. It is in the form of a golden star with white enamel, featuring a red enamel pentagon behind it. The central disc bears thirteen gold stars on a blue enamel background, representing the Great Seal of the United States, and is surrounded by a golden ring. Golden bald eagles with spread wings stand between the points of the star. The medal is typically worn around the neck on a blue ribbon with white edge stripes, although women may choose to receive it as a bow worn on the left chest.
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It recognises meritorious contributions to US security or national interests
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States, recognising meritorious contributions to US security or national interests. It was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy through Executive Order 11085, which expanded its scope to include cultural achievements. The medal is awarded at the discretion of the president, who selects the recipients with the assistance of the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board. This board was established in 1957 and comprises members from outside the Executive Branch of the government.
The medal recognises individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution" to US security or national interests. This includes individuals who have demonstrated courage, perseverance, and extraordinary scientific or technological achievements. It also encompasses those who have shown outstanding leadership in significant public or private endeavours, such as in government operations or federal service.
The medal is not limited to US citizens, and while it is a civilian award, it can also be bestowed upon military personnel and worn on the uniform. Notable recipients of the medal include Walt Disney, Duke Ellington, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Bob Dylan, Tiger Woods, and many others.
In rare instances, a special version of the award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, is presented. This award comes with a larger badge, worn as a star on the left chest, along with a sash draped over the right shoulder. Notable recipients of this award include Martha Graham and Colin Powell.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an esteemed award, recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to US security, national interests, and cultural achievements. It is a testament to the honourees' dedication, impact, and excellence in their respective fields.
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It recognises contributions to world peace
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. It was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, who expanded its scope to include cultural achievements. The medal recognises people who have made "an especially meritorious contribution" to world peace, in addition to the security or national interests of the United States, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavours.
The medal is not limited to US citizens and can be awarded to military personnel, although it is usually bestowed upon civilians. The award is given at the discretion of the president, who selects the recipients with the assistance of the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board. This board was established in 1957 and comprises members from outside the Executive Branch of the Government.
The medal is typically awarded annually on or around July 4, but the president may choose to present it at other times. It can also be awarded posthumously. The medal 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. Golden bald eagles with spread wings stand between the points of the star, and it is worn on a blue ribbon with white edge stripes. Women may choose to receive the award as a bow worn on the left chest, as former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher did.
Some notable recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom include Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Bob Dylan, Tiger Woods, and Muhammad Ali.
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It recognises contributions to culture or other significant public or private endeavours
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. It was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, superseding the Medal of Freedom, which was established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honour civilian service during World War II.
The medal is awarded at the discretion of the president of the United States to "any person recommended to the President for the award of the Medal or any person selected by the President upon his own initiative". The medal recognises people who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavours".
The medal is not limited to U.S. citizens, and while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform. It is awarded annually on or around July 4, but the president may choose to award it at other times. The medal can also be awarded posthumously.
Recipients of the medal are selected by the president, with the assistance of the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board, an advisory group created in 1957. While the majority of honorees are U.S. citizens, individuals from other countries are also eligible. Notable recipients of the medal include Walt Disney, Duke Ellington, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Bob Dylan, Tiger Woods, and many others.
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, and is surrounded by a golden ring. Golden bald eagles with spread wings stand between the points of the star. The medal is worn around the neck on a blue ribbon with white edge stripes, while women may choose to receive the award as a bow worn on the left chest.
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It can be awarded to non-US citizens
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. It was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and is awarded at the discretion of the president. While the majority of recipients are US citizens, the award is not limited to US citizens.
The medal is bestowed upon individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavours". The award is not restricted to civilians and can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform.
Non-US citizens who have received the award include Mother Teresa, who received the medal from President Ronald Reagan in 1985, and former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who received the award from President George H. W. Bush in 1991. Boxer Muhammad Ali was awarded the medal by President George W. Bush, and musician Bob Dylan received the medal from President Barack Obama in 2012.
The Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board, an advisory group created in 1957, assists the president in selecting recipients. However, the president may also select individuals for the award at their own discretion.
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Frequently asked questions
The award is bestowed by the decision of the president of the United States.
The award is given to individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
No, while the majority of recipients are US citizens, the award is not limited to US citizens.
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.
The award was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, superseding the Medal of Freedom that was initially established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honour civilian service.
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