Talk:Presidential Medal of Freedom

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[edit] Chronological list of recipients

I think the alphabetical list is just terrific, but I also think there might be value in creating a chronological list of recipients. Any takers? If not, I'll get around to it. But which list should remain on this page? Perhaps a two column list with one column alphabetical and the other chronological? --ABQCat 04:03, 30 Aug 2004 (UTC)How about you just do it yourself?


[edit] Created by Truman or FDR?

I could use some help clearing up a discrepancy. This article states that Truman created the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1946. However, in editing the article about Carole Lombard (who died in 1942), I found lots of information which says that she was posthumously awarded the medal by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Truman's predecessor. Either this wasn't the medal she got, or else the medal was available before 1945, or else Roosevelt granted it after he left office - would someone help me straighten this out? - Brian Kendig 14:49, 10 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Roosevelt didn't leave office - he died while in office.139.48.25.61 (talk) 19:17, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Further information re: original Medal of Freedom

The original Medal of Freedom award was established by Truman Executive Order 9586 in 1945 to award civilian recipients the civilian analogue to the military Medal of Honor. I believe the award was dropped after the war was over. At that time, not only the President, but other governemental entities could award the medal. It was called the "Medal of Freedom" - the word "Presidential" was not associated with the medal until Kennedy re-established the medal in 1963 as the "Presidential Medal of Freedom". This new medal was designed to be awarded to those who had a lifetime impact on American life, and hence could be awarded to journalists, artists, entertainers, sports figures, etc. I believe it is awarded only by the President. Physically, the original Medal of Freedom is a far different medal than the current Presidential Medal of Freedom. It appears to be a bronze 1" or so medal with the profile of a Roman warrior (?) and the word "Freedom" on it. It is suspended from a red ribbon with 4 narrow vertical white stripes. [Link to pictures of old and new medals removed 4/19/2006. DFJ]

My father, Howard M. Jenkins, was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1945 for work he performed "...in the prosecution of the war against an enemy [Germany] from 1 June 1944 to 1 May 1945." I was present at the award ceremony, which took place in the President's Office at Swarthmore College. I don't have a record of the exact date, but I do have a memory of being excused from school (it may have been summer school) to attend the ceremony, and I have a picture of my dad having the medal pinned on him by an Army officer.

I have never seen a list of other recipients of the Medal of Freedom, and would love to see such a listing.

(As far as Carole Lombard is concerned, Roosevelt could not have awarded her any medal after he left office - he died while still in office.)

David F. Jenkins david.f.jenkins@usa.net

[edit] Citizen's Medal

If anyone knows where there exists a link to info on the Presidential Citizen's Medal, please let me know. Would really like one with a picture. This decoration is opften confused with the Freedom Medal but it is a separate award...at least I think it is. Husnock 22 Sep 04

[edit] re: Citizen's Medal

Just to confuse matters further, I believe that there's a "Defense of Freedom Medal", in addition to the original "Medal of Freedom", and the later "Presidential Medal of Freedom". Not sure there's really a medal named the "Freedom Medal" - that phrase is often used as shorthand for "Medal of Freedom" (Presidential or not).

David F. Jenkins david.f.jenkins@usa.net

Another person who got this medal is famous Dutch resistance fighter Hannie Schaft. She was executed by the nazis in 1945, a month before the liberation. As one of the few Dutch women who took part in armed resistance she was infamous among the Nazis, the failure to capture her even frustrated Hitler himself. She was known as 'The girl with the red hair'. She was 24 when she was shot, her last words being (after a missed shot) "I shoot better then you". She received the medal in 1946.

[edit] re: MOF with Distinction

The article describes a sash and badge for the first degree of the Medal of Freedom, "With Disctinction," but I have been unable to find a picture of it.

Will someone please add?

[edit] Equal to Congressional Gold Medal or Medal of Honor?

I'm pretty sure the Presidential Medial of Freedom is considered the highest US civilian medal and the equal to the Medal of Honor, not the Congressional Gold Medal. Thoughts?

[edit] Re: Equal to Congressional Gold Medal or Medal of Honor?

I don't think the current Presidential MOF, albeit the highest civilian award, is considered to be the equivalent of the Medal of Honor, as was the original wartime Medal of Freedom, which was insitituted specifically to be the civilain equivalent of the military Medal of Honor.

[edit] Criticisms

Are there any criticisms of this award - like the President just giving it to people he happens to like?- Matthew238 06:04, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

This is a very interesting question; and I'd be interested in seeing such a section put in, given the relatively recent medals awarded to William Safire, George Tenet and Paul Bremer. Perhaps listing the awarding of these medals in chronological order could be done?Shabeki 05:40, 2 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Movement of list to new article

Can we follow Congressional Gold Medal of Honor and move the list of recipients to a new page? -- SilverStartalk 02:01, 27 October 2006 (UTC)

Nevermind, I was bold and did it myself. -- SilverStartalk 02:09, 27 October 2006 (UTC)