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Presidential Medal of Freedom facts for kids

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"Medal of Freedom" redirects here. For other uses, see Medal of Freedom (disambiguation).
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Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom.svg
The award's miniature medal
Presented by President of the United States
Country United States
First awarded December 6, 1963 (1963-12-06)

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a very special award in the United States. It is one of the highest honors a civilian can receive. The President of the United States gives this medal to people who have done amazing things. These contributions can be for the safety or interests of the U.S. It can also be for world peace or important cultural achievements. This award is not just for U.S. citizens. Even military members can receive it and wear it on their uniforms. President John F. Kennedy started this modern version of the medal in 1963. It replaced an older award from 1945.

Sometimes, the medal is given "with distinction." This means it is an even higher honor. There are no strict rules for getting this special version. The President decides who receives it. In 2017, President Barack Obama said it shows "an additional level of veneration." This means it is for people already held in very high regard. As of June 2024, the medal had been given "with distinction" about 55 times. This is about 8% of all awards. A total of 674 medals have been awarded.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the top civilian award from the President. An older award, the Medal of Freedom, was given by Cabinet secretaries. The President gives the Presidential Medal of Freedom directly. This makes it a very important and personal honor from the nation's leader.

Understanding the Presidential Medal of Freedom

President John F. Kennedy created this special medal in 1963. He signed an official order on February 22, 1963. This new medal had a unique design and a much greater purpose. It became a very prestigious award. It was the first U.S. civilian award worn around the neck. If given "with Distinction," it also includes a sash and a star. The President's order suggested giving the medal around July 4th each year. However, it has not been awarded every single year. For example, it was not given in 2001 or 2010.

How Recipients Are Chosen

The process for choosing who gets the medal is not fully public. However, the government has shared some details. People can recommend others for the award. Members of the President's team and other advisors also suggest names. These suggestions are carefully checked. Then, they are presented to the President for a final decision. A special board, called the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board, also helps with recommendations.

Notable Medal Recipients and Special Cases

Someone can receive the medal more than once. For example, Colin Powell received it twice. His second award was "with Distinction." Ellsworth Bunker also received two awards, both "with Distinction." The medal can also be given after a person has passed away. This is called a "posthumous" award. Famous people who received it posthumously include John F. Kennedy and Steve Jobs. Others include Pope John XXIII, Lyndon Johnson, and Elvis Presley. In 2014, President Obama honored three civil rights workers. James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were murdered in 1964. They received their medals 50 years later.

In 1970, President Richard Nixon gave the medal to the entire team of the Apollo 13 space mission. He also honored the astronauts themselves. This showed great appreciation for their teamwork and bravery.

Athlete and activist Simone Biles received this award when she was 25. She is the youngest person ever to get this high honor.

The Look of the Medal: Insignia Details

Presidential-medal-of-freedom
Medal and its parts, including the service ribbon, miniature, and lapel badge
Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction white tie
The Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, worn with formal white tie clothing

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a beautiful golden star. It has white enamel, which is a smooth, glassy coating. Behind the star is a red enamel five-sided shape. In the center of the medal, there are thirteen gold stars on a blue background. This design comes from the Great Seal of the United States. Golden bald eagles with their wings spread are placed between the points of the star.

The medal hangs from a blue ribbon with white stripes on the edges. This ribbon is worn around the neck. Women can choose to wear the award as a bow on their left chest. Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wore it this way.

The Medal "With Distinction"

The special "Medal of Freedom with Distinction" is larger. It is worn as a star on the left side of the chest. This version also comes with a sash. The sash goes over the right shoulder. A special rosette, which is a small decorative badge, rests on the left hip. This rosette is blue with a white edge. It has the central design of the medal in its middle. When the medal "with Distinction" is given, the star can also hang from a neck ribbon. You can tell it apart by its larger size.

Other Parts of the Award

Along with the main medal, recipients also get other items. There is a service ribbon for military uniforms. A miniature medal is included for formal wear or civilian fancy clothes. There is also a small lapel badge for everyday civilian clothes. All these items come in a complete set. The miniature medal and service ribbon have a silver bald eagle. If the medal was awarded "with Distinction," they have a golden bald eagle instead.

The U.S. Army's Institute of Heraldry designed these beautiful insignias. Colonel Harry Downing Temple led the design team.

Recipients

Main article: List of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients

Interesting Facts About the Medal

  • Marian Anderson and Ralph Bunche were the first to receive the Medals of Freedom. President John F. Kennedy gave them the awards on July 4, 1963.
  • A person can receive the medal more than once. It can also be given to someone after they have passed away.
  • Athlete and activist Simone Biles is the youngest person to receive this award. She was 25 years old.
  • Once given, the award cannot be taken back.
  • Women can choose to receive the award as a bow worn on the left chest. Margaret Thatcher received it this way.

Gallery

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Medalla Presidencial de la Libertad para niños

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