President John F. Kennedy establishes the Presidential Freedom Award on February 22, 1963, to recognize and honor, exceptional meritorious service to the U.S. or in public/private, cultural, and scientific fields. superseding the Medal of Freedom established in 1945 to honor civilian service during WWII.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal. It has two degrees: "Presidential Medal of Freedom" and "with distinction" The first awards were presented by President Lyndon B. Johnson on December 6, 1963, following Kennedy's assassination. The award is not limited to U.S. citizens, and, while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel. The Presidential Medal of Freedom has been awarded 674 between 1963 and December 2025. The award has recognized 56 recipients "with distinction" and includes two individuals who received the honor twice, Ellsworth Bunker and Colin Powell. Recipient List
