Presidential Medal of Freedom
I now have a del.icio.us account. So far, it's been better than other shared bookmarking methods that I've used, and it also lets me get familiar with tagging (without having to report to the police station afterwards).
So what do I use it for? Whatever.
But it's educational. I knew that the Presidential Medal of Freedom had been given to Henry Kissinger (by Gerald Ford), but I did not know that Ford himself had subsequently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (from Bill Clinton).
Other recipients are diverse, including Johnny Carson, Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers), and Robert Kahn and Vint Cerf.
More:
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of the two highest civilian awards in the United States, considered the equivalent of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. It is designed to recognize individuals who have 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."
It was established by President Harry Truman in 1945 to honor service during World War II. President John F. Kennedy revived the medal in 1963 through Executive Order 11085, and expanded its purpose....
Recipients are selected by the President, either on his/her initiative or based on recommendations. The order reviving the medal also expanded the size and the responsibilities of the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board so it would serve as a major source of such recommendations.
The medal can be awarded to an individual more than once (for example John Kenneth Galbraith and after him, Colin Powell), and may also be awarded posthumously (for example John F. Kennedy himself).
Comments