Presidential Medal of Freedom

The Presidential Medal of Freedom

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. It was established by President Harry Truman in 1945 to honor service during WWII. President John F. Kennedy revived the medal and began the tradition of awarding the medal annually, on or near July 4. The award is awarded to several people annually. Unlike many other US awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom can be awarded to non-US citizens.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

Winners include such diverse personalities as Eric Hoffer and Jesse Jackson.

Some recent winners:

James Baker
William F. Buckley, Jr
Colin Powell
Wesley Clark
Nelson Mandela
Edgar Wayburn
Helmut Kohl
Max Kampelman
Oliver White Hill
Gerald Ford
Isolina Ferre
Evelyn Dubrow
Rosalynn Carter
Jimmy Carter
Jesse Owens
Edgar M. Bronfman Jr
Lloyd M. Bentsen
Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr
Albert Shanker
David Rockefeller
Elliot L Richardson
Mario G. Obledo
Margaret Murie
Wilma Mankiller
Sol M. Linowitz
Fred Korematsu
Frances Hesselbein
Zachary Fisher
Dante B. Fascell
James Farmer
Robert Coles
Brooke Astor
Arnold Aronson

(List from here, and hopefully other people can join in with the typing.)

On 19 July 2003 the following people were announced as recipients: