|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
The Highest Civilian Award For Distinguished Americans
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
| |
The Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, recognizes exceptional meritorious service. The medal was established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize notable service in the war. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy reintroduced it as an honor for distinguished civilian service in peacetime.
President John F. Kennedy authorized the practice of awarding Presidential Medals of Freedom to persons "for 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" (Executive Order 11085 dated Feb. 22, 1963).
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, medal awarded annually by the President of the United States to individuals selected by him or recommended to him by the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board. Recipients of the medal are those who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interest of the United States or to world peace, or those who have made a significant public or private accomplishment. In 1963 President John F. Kennedy ordered the former Medal of Freedom renamed and the recommending board altered by adding five members from outside the executive branch of the government to the five members from within it. Recipients have included educators, diplomats, authors, scientists, and business executives.
Since inception, approximately 400 medals have been given to persons representing a wide variety of disciplines and achievements. His Holiness Pope John XXIII was among the first 31 honorees. President Johnson presented the award posthumously on Dec. 6, 1963. Though other religious leaders have been so honored, no subsequent Pope has been accorded this award. In 2000, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress can bestow, on Pope John Paul II.
Tribute To A War Hero
Lt. John F. Kennedy receives the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps medal for heroic conduct from Capt. Frederic L. Conklin June 12, 1944. JFK used his father's connections to get assigned to active duty. Says Dallek, "He was determined to get into combat. It was part of the culture at the time, patriotism. But he was heroic in doing that."
NAVY & MARINE CORPS MEDAL TO LIEUTENANT, JUNIOR GRADE, JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY UNITED STATES NAVY
CITATION: "For heroism in the rescue of 3 men following the ramming and sinking of his motor torpedo boat while attempting a torpedo attack on a Japanese destroyer in the Solomon Islands area on the night of Aug 1-2, 1943. Lt. KENNEDY, Capt. of the boat, directed the rescue of the crew and personally rescued 3 men, one of whom was seriously injured. During the following 6 days, he succeeded in getting his crew ashore, and after swimming many hours attempting to secure aid and food, finally effected the rescue of the men. His courage, endurance and excellent leadership contributed to the saving of several lives and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
16 August 1997
Presidential Medal of Freedom Tribute to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Former First Lady
On April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II passed away. He was in his 27th year as pope, one of the longest reigning popes in history. Despite illness and infirmity, he tirelessly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He defended life in all its forms, wrote prolifically on Catholic topics such as the Eucharist and the rosary, pleaded for peace in the world and created more Roman Catholic saints than any other pope. It is said that he was the most recognized man in the world and he is by far the most widely-travelled pope in history.
The archbishop who led the Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas for 37 years has died. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America says Archbishop Iakovos (YAHK'-oh-vohs) died April 12, 2005 in a Connecticut hospital from a pulmonary ailment. He was 93.
Jackie Robinson to be awarded Congressional Gold Medal
LOS ANGELES -- Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, the Brooklyn Dodger who in 1947 became Major League Baseball's first African American player and a pioneer in the nation's civil rights movement, will be recognized posthumously by receiving the Congressional Gold Medal tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, 2005 during ceremonies in the rotunda of the United States Capitol building in Washington D.C. President George W. Bush will make the presentation to members of Robinson's family, including his wife Rachel, daughter Sharon and grandson David.
Representing the Dodger organization at tomorrow's ceremonies will be Owner and Chairman Frank McCourt, Vice Chairman Jamie McCourt and Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda, a teammate of Robinson's in Brooklyn.
"Jackie Robinson exemplified the utmost courage, determination, character and competitiveness. His impact on the game was legendary, and his gift to the nation is priceless," Jamie McCourt said. "It is fitting that we add Jackie to this illustrious list of groundbreaking Americans who served causes greater than themselves. Jackie brought a special strength to the Dodger organization, on and off the field. It is a proud day to see one of the Dodgers' finest being honored as one of America's finest."
Robinson, who played for the Dodgers from 1947-56, is just the second baseball player and fourth athlete to receive the prestigious honor, joining Hall of Fame big leaguer Roberto Clemente (1973), heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis (1982) and Olympic track and field star Jesse Owens (1988).
Since the American Revolution, the United States Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Each medal honors a particular individual, institution, or event. Although the first recipients included citizens who participated in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Mexican War, Congress broadened the scope of the medal to include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in aeronautical and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public servants, and foreign recipients.
"Jackie's is an amazing story," said Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. "This kind of recognition outside of baseball is long overdue."
In 1997, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Robinson's historic entrance into Major League Baseball, his uniform No. 42 was retired throughout the big leagues. Robinson, a member of six pennant-winning Dodger teams, including the 1955 World Championship club, passed away at age 53 in October 1972. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
President George W. Bush awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to L. Paul Bremer III, Tommy R. Franks, and George J. Tenet in a ceremony at the White House on December 14, 2004.
1911-2004
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award that is given in the United States. What the Olympic Gold Medal is to athletes, what the Congressional Medal of Honor is to the military, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is to the private United States Citizen. -- President Ronald Reagan, September 7, 1982
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Ronald Reagan 40th President of the United States
January 23, 2004 - Johnny Carson, the "Tonight Show" TV host who served America a smooth nightcap of celebrity banter, droll comedy and heartland charm for 30 years, has died at age 79. "It is a sad day for his family and for the country," "Late Show" host David Letterman said Sunday. "He was the best -- a star and a gentleman."
Civil Rights activist Fred Korematsu (kohr-ah-MAHT'-soo) died of a respiratory illness March 31, 2005. Nearly four decades after he was convicted and sent to an internment camp, his conviction was overturned. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Death of Paul H. Nitze, Former Secretary of the Navy - October 20, 2004
January 20, 2005 -Walter B. Wriston, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Citicorp/Citibank has died. He was 85.
Jan Nowak-Jezioranski died in Warsaw, Poland Thursday Jan. 20, 2005, at 91.
George Frost Kennan, Professor Emeritus in the School of Historical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, died March 17, 2005 at the age of 101.
Sol M. Linowitz, a diplomat, lawyer and businessman who played key roles in Middle East peace negotiations and the Panama Canal treaty during the Carter administration, died Friday, March 18, 2005. He was 91.
Aug. 13, 2004 -- Julia Child , the woman who brought French cooking to the American masses, has died. She was 91.
13 distinguished individuals honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom at White House Ceremony June 23, 2004
July 11, 2004 - Laurance Rockefeller, Venture Capitalist and Philanthropist, Dies at 94
President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush meet Pope John Paul II on June 4, 2004. Reuters/Jason Reed
President George W. Bush Awards His Holiness Pope John Paul II the Presidential Medal of Freedom - June 4, 2004
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient and Civil Rights Leader Dr. Dorothy Irene Height was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony honoring her lifetime of achievements in the United States Capital Rotunda Washington D. C. on March 24, 2004 coinciding with her 92nd Birthday.
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Former Presidents and First Ladies that have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom:
John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson
Gerald Ford
Betty Ford
Jimmy Carter
Rosalynn Carter
Ronald Reagan
Nancy Reagan
Remarks by the President and Lord Robertson at Presentation of the Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients, Don Luis Ferre and Mardy Murie, have both passed away. Millie Jeffrey Medal of Freedom Recipient Passes Away.
An early pioneer in preserving wild places and of late, the grandmother of conservation, Mardy Murie died Sunday at her home on the Murie Ranch in Moose, Grand Teton National Park, she was 101. Luis Ferre a philanthropist and former governor of Puerto Rico who became the patriarch of the territory's U.S. statehood movement, died Tuesday. He was 99.
Bob Hope - Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient and United States of America Congressional Gold Medal Recipient
Edward Teller, Father of the Hydrogen Bomb, Passed Away September 9, 2003 at age 95 just 2 months after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom
June 12th 2003 - Two Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients passed away today, Newscaster David Brinkley and Academy Award Actor Gregory Peck
Columbia Space Shuttle Crew Nominated
New York Fire Dept. Chaplin Rev. Mychal Judge Nominated for Medal of Freedom
Medal of Freedom Recipient President Gerald R. Ford
Complete Alphabetical List of Recipients
Medal of Freedom Recipients By Year
Recipients Listed By Achievements
History and Information of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Campaigners
September 11th
Newest Medals
African American Recipients
Medal of Freedom By President Harry S. Truman
Medal of Freedom By President Dwight D. Eisenhower
View By President Richard M. Nixon
View By President Gerald R. Ford
View By President Jimmy Carter
View By President Ronald Reagan
View By President George Bush
View By President Bill Clinton
View By President George W. Bush
Medals of Freedom Awarded With Distinction *
President John F. Kennedy Executive Order 11085 February 22, 1963
President Harry S. Truman Executive Order 9586 July 6, 1945
President George W. Bush Presents the 2002 Recipients
History of Medals of the United States
Politicians Who Have Been Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
United States Senators awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Time Magazine Covers of Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients
2003 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients Honored
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients Since 1993 Only
15 Recipients in 2000
Most Frequently Asked Questions About the Medal of Freedom
Official Presidential Inaugural Medals
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients who have also been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medal History
