Presidential Medal of Freedom (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Nov. 21, 2024 |
| Report Number |
R47639 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Ben Leubsdorf |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is considered the U.S. government’s highest civilian honor.
Awarded by the President, it is often presented to individuals to recognize a lifetime of
significant achievements in the arts, public service, science, or other fields.
Created by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 as the Medal of Freedom, the medal was renamed
by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 as the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Executive Order
11085 (February 22, 1963) allows the President to recognize “any person who has 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.”
The medal is a white star over a red pentagon, surrounded by five gold eagles. At the star’s center is a blue circle with 13
gold stars. The Presidential Medal of Freedom comes in two degrees, with the more prestigious version known as the
Presidential Medal of Freedom “with distinction.”
There is no formal procedure for nominating and selecting recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The President has
wide latitude under Executive Order 11515 (March 13, 1970) to award the medal to “any person recommended to the
President for award of the Medal or any person selected by the President upon his own initiative.” Selections often reflect the
President’s political and personal interests.
Numerous Members of Congress have sent nominations to the President. Some Members have made floor remarks about
potential or past recipients and introduced resolutions congratulating honorees or urging the President to recognize a specific
individual.
Between 1963 and 2024, the Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded 654 times to 651 individuals and one group (the
Apollo 13 Mission Operations Team); two people (Ellsworth Bunker and Colin Powell) received the medal twice. This report
contains a comprehensive list of honorees and indicates when a medal is known to have been awarded “with distinction.”
