1 THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM Purpose By Ronald E. Fischer The purpose of this article is to examine both, the history of the development, and examples of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation's highest civilian award for public service. It is second in the Presidential Award Series only to the Medal of Honor. Historical Background Information During World War II the President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, felt he needed an award to recognize civilians that contributed to the war effort with awards other than those used by the military, such as the Army and Navy Distinguished Service Medals, that were used during World War I. The first result was the Medal for Merit which was awarded some 145 times to prominent Americans, but was never used after World War II. Many of the elements of the design of the medal and ribbon came from the Legion of Merit.
25
Embed
THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOMthemedalcollector.com/uploads/THE_PRESIDENTIAL... · THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM ... It is second in the Presidential Award Series only to the
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
1
THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM Purpose By Ronald E. Fischer
The purpose of this article is to examine both, the history of the development, and
examples of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation's highest civilian award for
public service. It is second in the Presidential Award Series only to the Medal of Honor.
Historical Background Information
During World War II the President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, felt he needed an
award to recognize civilians that contributed to the war effort with awards other than
those used by the military, such as the Army and Navy Distinguished Service Medals,
that were used during World War I. The first result was the Medal for Merit which was
awarded some 145 times to prominent Americans, but was never used after World War
II. Many of the elements of the design of the medal and ribbon came from the Legion of
Merit.
2
The Medal of Merit awarded during WWII
Award Document for the Medal of Merit
3
Medal of Merit Citation
General Eisenhower, the SHAFE Commander, wanted a medal that could be
awarded to civilians and partisans that risked their lives to rescue allied airmen that had
been shot down and kept them safe until they could be smuggled out of Europe. This
request started the development of the Medal of Freedom that was awarded in four
grades, Chief Commander with Gold Palm, Commander with Silver Palm, Officer with
Bronze Palm, and Legionnaire with no device, all similar to the Legion of Merit. All four
grades could be awarded to foreigners, both military and civilian, while only the lowest
grade, without device, could also be awarded to American military and civilian
personnel. The ribbon the Medal of Freedom is similar to the Legion of Merit, but with
two additional white stripes. The design of the medal’s obverse contained the head of the
Statue of Freedom that is located on top of the dome of Capitol building in Washington,
D.C., and the medal’s reverse features the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia. Unlike the one
war use of the Medal of Merit award of the Medal of Freedom continued to be used by
the Presidential from time to time for award to prominent Americans. Over the years
there were over 7000 awards made of the Medal of Freedom. The President later used it
for awards to prominent Americans. In 1956 Dr John Von Neumann for Scientific
4
Achievement in many projects supporting the National Defense and February 21, 1957
Admiral Richard E Byrd was awarded the medal for his Antarctic Exploration including
the IGY efforts beginning in 1956.
Medal of Freedom Legionnaire, Officer with Bronze Palm, Commander with
Silver Palm, and Chief Commander with Gold Palm
Award Citation for an Officer Award to British Civilian for World War II
In 1955 the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare
submitted a proposed act to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Sam Rayburn
“To provide for the conferring of an award to be known as the United States Medal of
Merit.” In President Eisenhower’s State of the Union message delivered on January 6,
5
1955 : “I shall… propose that awards of merit be established whereby we can honor our
fellow citizens who make great contributions to the advancement of our civilization and
of this country.” The letter went on describe the need for a National United States Medal
of Merit Board. The Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board, was established by
Executive Order No. 10717 of June 27, 1957 to administer the President’s Award for
Distinguished Civilian Service for Civil Service employees, but the United States Medal
for Merit never was created.
Upon John F Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961, efforts began at development of a
new award that would be appropriate for an annual honors list, similar to what the British
were doing. There was also much criticism of medal designs originating from the Army’s
Institute of Heraldry, in a Time Magazine article of May 19, 1961 centering around the
award of the first NASA Distinguished Service Medal to Commander Alan Shepherd.
The DSM used the seal of the Agency and was described as looking like something that
came out of a “Cracker Jack Box.” This medal, and its companion the Exceptional
Service Medal, were eventually redesigned becoming part a family of NASA awards.
The concept of the Medal of Freedom was appealing but the current design was not
dignified enough for the intended purpose. The old medal appeared “stark-plain, bronze
and undistinguished” for its new purpose. The President and his wife worked on the
concept for the next two years and they turned over the implementation to the Institute of
Heraldry to come up with a new design, more “beautiful and fitting”. What they were
looking for was a European Sash and Star style of award suitable for heads of state. The
second order was to be worn on a neck ribbon, similar to the Medal of Honor. The
design was to “be the same for both degrees, with the higher order in a larger size. The
colors red, white and blue were to be utilized. The design was to be and impressive,
dignified medal that would compare with similar awards of other countries.”
By 18 Nov 1962 Recommendations Relative to the Proposed President’s Medal
began to be developed.
1. The medal to be presented only by the President of the United States.
2. To be the highest honorary award this country can bestow on United States
and foreign diplomats and government dignitaries.
3. To be awarded without respect to nationality.
4. To be comparable in prestige and honor to the Medal of Honor. However, if
both the Medal of Honor and the President’s Medal are received by the same
person, it is recommended that the Medal of Honor take precedence.
5. The medal to be awarded in either of two ways; i.e., with a sash or with a neck
ribbon, depending on the position of the recipient.
6
6. The medal with sash be awarded only to:
a. Head of Government or Chief of State.
b. Prime Minister or equivalent position.
7. Medal with neck ribbon may be awarded to the following categories of
individuals:
a. Ambassadors from other countries (with or without portfolio) and foreign
diplomats.
b. Chief of Military Staff or comparable position.
c. Civilians of outstanding importance whom it is desired to honor because
of material contribution to the advancement of the interests of the United
States.
8. Because this is an award to honor an individual, not based on a specific act, it
is recommended that second awards not be made. It is considered
inappropriate because once a person has been so honored a repetition of the
honor would seem to imply that the honor was not of an enduring nature.
9. A lapel button to be provided and to consist of a metal and enamel miniature
of the central element of the medal.
On 12 December the Program Director of the Institute of Heraldry wrote a Memo
for Record, Subject: Special Project for Design of Medal (White House). It outlined the
history of the project to date starting with a request by General Clifton, Military Aide to
the President, requesting the Heraldic Officer of the QMC to submit proposed designs for
a “high level Decoration” to be awarded by the President. He requested criteria for award
of the Medal of Freedom, the Medal of Merit, the Legion of Merit, and the National
Security Medal. An initial proposal for a design was submitted in March of 1962.
Discussions were held in Sept and later 9 Nov 1962. The result was the implementation
letter of 11 Dec 1962. Some General Clifton’s guidance included a proposed National
Honor Day, possibly 4 July each year. The award be only granted by the President, and
he could grant it with only a few hours notice. The name of the award would have the
words Presidential and Freedom in it. There could be up to three degrees. The award
would look impressive, including the packaging and could cost $200.00 or more. The
artistic value would be the main consideration. The Order of the British Empire was
discussed and to be used as a point of departure. He wanted a firm proposal by 3 PM 20
December 1962.
7
Authority for Medal, Badges and Ribbons
Presidential Documents
Title 3 --- THE PRESIDENT
Executive Order 11085
THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, it is
hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1 Prior orders. The numbered sections of Executive Order No. 9586 of
July 6, 1945, as amended by Executive Order No. 10336 of April 3, 1952, are hereby
amended to read as follows:
“Section 1. Medal established. The Medal of Freedom is hereby reestablished as
the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with accompanying ribbons and appurtenances. The
Presidential Medal of Freedom, hereinafter referred to as the Medal, shall be in two
degrees.
“Section 2. Award of the Medal. (a) The Medal may be awarded by the President,
as provided in this order, to 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 significant public or private endeavors.
“(b) The President may select for award of the Medal any person nominated by
the Board referred to in Section 3 (a) of this Order, any person otherwise recommended
to the President for award of the Medal, or any person selected by the President upon his