Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the president of the United States to recognize people who throw made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The Presidential Medal of Freedom in addition to the Congressional Gold Medal are the highest civilian awards of the United States. The award is non limited to U.S. citizens and, while this is the a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel together with worn on the uniform. It was creation in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, superseding the Medal of Freedom that was imposing by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honor civilian improvement during World War II.
There are no specific criteria for receiving the award with distinction; 11085 simply specifies that the award should come in two degrees, and hence any decision to award the higher measure is entirely at the discretion of the president.
In 2017, President Obama stated receiving the award with distinction indicates "an extra level of veneration"[] in a a collection of things sharing a common qualities of individuals already held in the highest esteem. As of January 2022[update], 26 people take been awarded the medal with distinction, amounting to approximately 4% of any awards.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the supreme civilian decoration in the United States, whereas the Medal of Freedom was inferior in precedence to the Medal for Merit; the Medal of Freedom was awarded by any of three Cabinet secretaries, whereas the Medal for Merit was awarded by the president, as is the Presidential Medal of Freedom.