A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential
February 21
August 1, 2023 , 2023
Presidential Awards
Barbara Salazar Torreon
This report is
This report is
designedintended to help congressional offices obtain information about awards authorized to help congressional offices obtain information about awards authorized
Senior Research Librarian
Senior Research Librarian
by Congress and the President. It
by Congress and the President. It
listsprovides details about the establishment, criteria, selection details about the establishment, criteria, selection
process,
process, and presentation of and presentation of
each of the majorfive presidential and congressional awards: presidential and congressional awards:
the Congressional Congressional
Ben Leubsdorf
Award, Congressional Gold Medal, Medal of Honor, Presidential Award, Congressional Gold Medal, Medal of Honor, Presidential
Citizens Medal, and
Presidential Medal of Freedom. Brief entries are provided for additional awards. Contact information is provided as available for the organization responsible for making the award and brief information about an award. References to CRS products on awards are also given. Medal of Freedom, and
Research Librarian
Presidential Citizens Medal. It also contains basic information on 20 additional awards and
medals, though this is not a comprehensive list of U.S. government decorations.
Congressional Research Service
Congressional Research Service
link to page 4 link to page 4 link to page 4 link to page 5 link to page 5 link to page
link to page 4 link to page 4 link to page 4 link to page 5 link to page 5 link to page
5 link to page 6 link to page 6 link to page
67 link to page link to page
6 link to page 69 link to page 7 link to page link to page 7 link to page
89 A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards
Contents
Congressional Awards Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Congressional Award ....................................................................................................................... 1
Congressional Gold Medal .............................................................................................................. 1 1
Medal of Honor ............................................................................................................................... 2
Presidential AwardsMedal of Freedom ....................................................................................................... 2 Presidential Citizens Medal .................................... 2
Presidential Medal of Freedom ................................................................................................. 2
Presidential Citizens Medal 3 Additional Awards and Medals ........................................................................................................ 3
Executive Office of the President The White House ATTN: Executive Clerk’s Office
Washington, DC 20502 https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ 4 Related CRS Resources ............................................... 3
Additional Awards and Medals ................................................................................................. 3 6
Tables
Table 1. Selected Medals .............National Medals and Awards .................................................................................................... 4
Contacts
Author Information .......................................................................................................................... 56
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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards
Congressional Awards
Congressional Award
In 1979, Congress established the Congressional Award Program.1 The Congressional Award Program is designed to promote initiative, achievement, and excellence among youths age 14 to 23
“In the areas of public service, personal development and physical and expedition fitness. Under the program medals shall be awarded to young people within the United States, aged fourteen through twenty-three (subject to such exceptions as the Board may prescribe), who have satisfied the standards of achievement established by the Board.”2
Overseen by the Congressional Award Board,3 participantsIntroduction Congress and the executive branch have established a number of awards and medals for achievement in the arts, education, military service, science, and other fields.
Some awards, such as the Congressional Award, recognize the accomplishments of young Americans. Awards such as the Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom often honor a lifetime of exceptional achievement. Other awards, such as the Medal of Honor, recognize individual heroism.
This report provides information on the Congressional Award, Congressional Gold Medal, Medal of Honor, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Presidential Citizens Medal. It also includes a list of 20 additional national awards and medals.
Congressional Award In 1979, Congress established the Congressional Award Program “to promote initiative, achievement, and excellence among youths in the areas of public service, personal development, and physical and expedition fitness.”1 Overseen by the Congressional Award Board,2 participants who are 14 to 23 years old complete a self-designed program in complete a self-designed program in
four program areas: voluntary four program areas: voluntary
public service, personal development, physical fitness, and service, personal development, physical fitness, and
expedition/exploration. When participants fulfill the criteria, they can earn expedition/exploration. When participants fulfill the criteria, they can earn
a Congressional Award Congressional Award
CertificateCertificates (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) (Bronze, Silver, and Gold)
or Medaland Congressional Award Medals (Bronze, Silver, and Gold). (Bronze, Silver, and Gold).
4 3
Traditionally, a gold Traditionally, a gold
medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol recognizes recipients each year.medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol recognizes recipients each year.
5 Additionally, Members of Congress often present the award to constituent participants, when appropriate.6
The foundation may be contacted at:
Washington, DC 200134
The program may be contacted at:
Congressional Award Foundation P.O. Box 77440 Washington, DC 20013 Phone: (888) 80-AWARD; (202) 226-0130(888) 80-AWARD; (202) 226-0130
E-mail Email: information@congressionalaward.org: information@congressionalaward.org
Website: https://www.congressionalaward.orghttps://www.congressionalaward.org
/leadership/
Congressional Gold Medal
Congressional Gold Medals are awarded by acts of Congress to express public gratitude for Congressional Gold Medals are awarded by acts of Congress to express public gratitude for
distinguished contributions, highlight the virtues of patriotism, and perpetuate the remembrance distinguished contributions, highlight the virtues of patriotism, and perpetuate the remembrance
of great events. First issued by the Continental Congress to General George Washingtonof great events. First issued by the Continental Congress to General George Washington
,7 in 1776,5 the the
medal is considered one of the highest honors bestowed on behalf of the nation. medal is considered one of the highest honors bestowed on behalf of the nation.
Congress has awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize a lifetime contribution or a singular
1 The Congressional Award Act,
1 P.L. 96-114 P.L. 96-114
;, 93 Stat. 851 (1979) 93 Stat. 851 (1979)
;, codified at 2 U.S.C. § 2 U.S.C. §
§801-801-
§808.808. 2 2 U.S.C. §802(a). 3 The Congressional Award The Congressional Award
Act was reauthorizedProgram was reauthorized through October 1, 2023, by P.L. 115-268 by P.L. 115-268
, (132 Stat. 3762 (2018)) through October 1, 2023. The Congressional Award Board consists of 25 members, appointed by the Speaker of the House, the Senate majority leader, the House minority leader, and the Senate minority leader. 2 U.S.C. §803(a)(1). The Board guides award activities through the appointment of a director by majority vote of the Board. In consultation with the board, the director “(1) formulate[s] programs to carry out the policies of the Congressional Award Program; (2) establish[es] such divisions within the Congressional Award Program as may be appropriate; and (3) employ[es] and provide[s] for the compensation of such personnel as may be necessary to carry out the Congressional Award Program, subject to such policies as the Board shall prescribe under its bylaws.” 2 U.S.C. §804(b). 4 Congressional Award, “132 Stat. 3762 (2018).
2 For information on board membership and appointments, see CRS Report RL33313, Congressional Membership and Appointment Authority to Advisory Commissions, Boards, and Groups, by Jacob R. Straus.
3 Congressional Award Foundation, The ProgramThe Program
,,” at https://www.congressionalaward.org/the-program at https://www.congressionalaward.org/the-program
/. Medals are struck by the Secretary of the Treasury and are considered national medals (2 U.S.C. §802(a) & (f)).
5 Congressional Award, “Gold Medal Ceremony,”. 4 Congressional Award Foundation, Annual Gold Medal Ceremony, at , at
https://www.congressionalaward.org/events/https://www.congressionalaward.org/events/
annual-gold-medal-ceremony.
5 Worthington Chauncey Ford (ed.), Journals of the Continental Congress: 1774-1789, vol. 4 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1906), p. 234 (March 25, 1776).
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Historically, Congress has awarded Congressional Gold Medals to recognize a lifetime of contribution or a singular achievement. Each Congressional Gold Medal is individually authorized and requires the U.S. Mint to design and strike the medal.6annual-gold-medal-ceremony.
6 2 U.S.C. §802(c). 7 U.S. Continental Congress, Journals of the Continental Congress: 1774-1789, vol. 4, March 25, 1776, p. 234.
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achievement. Each gold medal authorization requires the U.S. Mint to design and strike each Congressional Gold Medal, and often to produce and sell duplicate bronze medals.8
Congressional Gold Medals can be awarded to either individuals or groups. When gold medals
Congressional Gold Medals can be awarded to either individuals or groups. When gold medals
are awarded to individuals, the individual recipient, or his or her family, receives the gold medal. are awarded to individuals, the individual recipient, or his or her family, receives the gold medal.
For instances in which a group is honored, a single gold medal is generally minted that is either For instances in which a group is honored, a single gold medal is generally minted that is either
awarded to the group or placed in a museum for future exhibition. awarded to the group or placed in a museum for future exhibition.
Additional information on Congressional Gold Medals,
For additional information including a including a
full list of Congressional Gold Medal recipients, see CRS list of recipients and the authorization process, is provided in CRS Report R45101, Report R45101,
Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process,
and Issues for Congress.9 Congress, by Jacob R. Straus.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military honor. It is presented by the President “in the The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military honor. It is presented by the President “in the
name of Congress,” and is sometimes referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.name of Congress,” and is sometimes referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.
10
The7
Congress established the Medal of Honor Medal of Honor
was established by Congress during the Civil War to recognize soldiers who during the Civil War to recognize soldiers who
had distinguished themselves by their gallantry in action. It is the nation’s highest military honor, had distinguished themselves by their gallantry in action. It is the nation’s highest military honor,
awarded for acts of valor that are “above and beyond the call of duty.”awarded for acts of valor that are “above and beyond the call of duty.”
11 8
Recommendations for Recommendations for
the Medal of Honor are generally made by the military commander or others the Medal of Honor are generally made by the military commander or others
on the scenepresent at the at the
time of the act. These recommendations are reviewed by the Department of Defensetime of the act. These recommendations are reviewed by the Department of Defense
(DOD), , which makes the final determination on military awards.which makes the final determination on military awards.
12 9
In addition to the prestige associated In addition to the prestige associated
with the Medal of Honor, recipients receive additional courtesies and benefits, including a with the Medal of Honor, recipients receive additional courtesies and benefits, including a
monthly pension of $1,619.34 and access to certain military monthly pension of $1,619.34 and access to certain military
benefits.10
For additional information, including recommendation procedures, see benefits.13 A detailed history, current procedures for award of the Medal, and a list of privileges afforded to recipients are provided in CRS Report 95-519, CRS Report 95-519,
Medal of Honor: History and Issues.
Presidential Awards , by Barbara Salazar Torreon.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is The Presidential Medal of Freedom is
consideredtypically described as the highest civilian award of the United States the highest civilian award of the United States
government. government.
President Truman first awardedIt has been called the “civilian equivalent” of the Medal of Honor.11
President Harry S. Truman first created the Medal of Freedom to reward war-connected acts the Medal of Freedom to reward war-connected acts
or services performed or services performed
by civilians during World War II.during World War II.
12 It was renamed and broadened by
6 In recent years, most Congressional Gold Medal statutes authorize the U.S. Mint to strike bronze duplicates for sale to the general public. For It was later re-established by President Kennedy in Executive Order 11085 of February 22, 1963, to recognize persons who have made especially
8 For example, the U.S. Mint was authorized to sell bronze duplicates of the Congressional Gold Medal for the Tuskegee Airmen. Full size (3-inch) duplicates were sold for $160 and half-size (1.5 inches) are sold for $20. U.S. Mint, “Tuskegee Airmen Bronze Medal 3 Inch,” at https://catalog.usmint.gov/tuskegee-airmen-bronze-medal-3-inch-903.html ; and U.S. Mint, “Tuskegee Airmen Bronze Medal 1.5 Inch,” at https://catalog.usmint.gov/tuskegee-airmen-bronze-medal-1-and-one-half-inch-904.html. For more information on duplicate medals, see CRS In Focus IF10934, information on duplicate medals, see CRS In Focus IF10934,
Duplicate Congressional Gold Medals: Frequently Asked Questions, by Jacob R. Straus. , by Jacob R. Straus.
9 For additional guidance for congressional offices, contact the author Jacob Straus who contributed information to this section.
10 Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS), “The Medal Overview” section7 Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Statistics and FAQs, at https://www.cmohs.org/medal at https://www.cmohs.org/medal
/faqs. 8. 11 10 U.S.C. §9271. 10 U.S.C. §9271.
Medal of Honor: Award. 12 DOD9 Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 1, Manual 1348.33, Volume 1,
Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: Medal of Honor, May 7, 2021, at , May 7, 2021, at
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833_Vol1.PDF. https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833_Vol1.PDF.
13 See 38 CFR §3.802 Medal of Honor10 See 38 C.F.R. §3.802 for information on benefits for information on benefits
; and , and see https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/special-benefit-allowance-rates/ for the 2023 Medal of Honor pension rate as of the 2023 Medal of Honor pension rate as of
December 1, 2022, at https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/special-benefit-allowance-rates/. December 1, 2022.
11 “Presidential Medal of Freedom” in The Presidency A to Z, 5th ed., eds. Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley (Thousand Oaks, CA: CQ Press, 2013), pp. 451-452.
12 Executive Order 9586, “The Medal of Freedom,” 10 Federal Register 8523, July 6, 1945.
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President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to recognize “any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to (1) meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United Statesthe security or national interests of the United States
; to world peace; or to, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
”13 There are two degrees of the Medal, There are two degrees of the Medal,
the higher being the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction. the higher being the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction.
Honorees are selected solely by the President, either acting on his own initiative or based on recommendations made to him.The President has wide discretion to bestow the medal on “any person recommended to the President for award of the Medal or any person selected by the President upon his own initiative.”14 As such, recipients tend to reflect the personal and political As such, recipients tend to reflect the personal and political
interests of the President. The accomplishments of past recipients have been in wide-ranging interests of the President. The accomplishments of past recipients have been in wide-ranging
fields, including public service, journalism, business, sports, and entertainment.fields, including public service, journalism, business, sports, and entertainment.
14 15
The award is The award is
generally presented by the Presidentpresented by the President
, generally at a White House ceremony at a White House ceremony
, and. It may be awarded posthumously and to non-U.S. citizens.
There is no formal nomination and selection procedure,16 but letters making recommendations may be sent to the President.
Presidential Citizens Medal In 1969, President Richard M. Nixon created may be awarded posthumously.15 Lists of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients are available online and in several books, such as the annual Time Almanac and The Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Presidential Citizens Medal
In Executive Order 11494 of November 13, 1969, President Nixon established the Presidential the Presidential
Citizens Medal Citizens Medal
to recognize U.S. citizens“for the purpose of recognizing citizens of the United States of America who have performed exemplary deeds of service for who have performed exemplary deeds of service for
their country or their country or
their fellow citizens.fellow citizens.
”17 It is generally It is generally
considereddescribed as the second the second
-highest highest
civilian award of the U.S. government.18
The Presidential Citizens Medal “may be bestowed by the President upon any citizen of the United States at the sole discretion of the President,” and it can be awarded posthumously.19 Recent recipients at White House ceremonies have included activists, athletes, disaster responders, election workers, public officials, leaders of cultural institutions, police officers, teachers, and volunteers.20
13 Executive Order 11085, “The Presidential Medal of Freedom,” 28 Federal Register 1759, February 22, 1963. 14 Executive Order 11515, “Terminating Certain Bodies Established by the President,” 35 Federal Register 4543, March 13, 1970.
15 See Bruce Wetterau, The Presidential Medal of Freedom: Winners and Their Achievements (Washington: Congressional Quarterly Inc., 1996), and Lawrence M. Watson, The Presidential Medal of Freedom (Claymont, DE: Orders and Medals Society of America, 2014). 16 Juliet Eilperin, “One of the Last Washington Mysteries: How to Get the Medal of Freedom,” The Washington Post, November 23, 2015, at https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/one-of-the-last-washington-mysteries-how-to-get-the-medal-of-freedom/2015/11/23/d3351fa2-91f3-11e5-b5e4-279b4501e8a6_story.html.
17 Executive Order 11494, “Establishing the Presidential Citizens Medal,” 34 Federal Register 18291, November 13, 1969.
18 See, for example, Kelly Hooper, “Biden to Award Presidential Citizens Medal to Several Jan. 6 Heroes,” Politico, January 5, 2023, at https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/05/biden-awards-presidential-citizens-medal-to-several-jan-6-heroes-00076550; Charles J. Lewis and Stewart M. Powell, “Obama Presents Medals For Slain Sandy Hook Educators,” Connecticut Post, February 15, 2013, at https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Obama-presents-medals-for-slain-Sandy-Hook-4283610.php; and White House, Office of the Press Secretary, “The President Participates in a Ceremony for 2008 Recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal,” press release, December 10, 2008, at https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/12/20081210-3.html.
19 E.O. 11494. 20 U.S. President (Biden), “Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Citizens Medal,” Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (January 6, 2023); U.S. President (Trump), “Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Citizens Medal to C. Richard Rescorla,” Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (November 7, 2019); U.S. President (Obama), “Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Citizens Medals,” Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (February 15, (continued...)
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As with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recommendations for the Presidential Citizens Medal may be sent to the President.
Additional Awards and Medals Table 1 contains information about selected medals and awards presented by or in the name of the President, as well as selected medals and awards established by Congress. It does not include military medals or awards. This is not a comprehensive list of all civilian honors awarded or authorized by the U.S. government. Resources listed in the “Additional Information” column generally contain details about the nomination and selection process for that award.
Table 1. Selected National Medals and Awards
Award or Medal
Eligibility/Purpose
Additional Information
Alan T. Waterman
“Younger scientists whose capabilities and
https://new.nsf.gov/od/honorary-awards/
Award
accomplishments show exceptional promise of
waterman
significant future achievement” (42 U.S.C. §1881a)
Congressional
“Any astronaut who in the performance of the
https://history.nasa.gov/spacemedal.htm
Space Medal of
astronaut’s duties has distinguished himself or
Honor
herself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and of humankind” (51 U.S.C. §30901)
Enrico Fermi Award “Scientists, engineers, and science
https://science.osti.gov/fermi
policymakers who have given unstintingly over their careers to advance energy science and technology”
Malcolm Baldrige
“Companies and other organizations which ..
https://www.nist.gov/baldrige
National Quality
have substantially benefited the economic or
Award
social well-being of the United States through improvements in the quality of their goods or services resulting from the effective practice of quality management” (15 U.S.C. §3711a)
National
“Individuals and organizations whose work has
https://www.neh.gov/about/awards/
Humanities Medal
deepened our nation’s understanding of and
national-humanities-medals-nominations
engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects”
National Medal for
“Outstanding libraries and museums that have
https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/
Museum and
made significant contributions in service to
national-medal-museum-and-library-
Library Service
their communities” (20 U.S.C. §9107)
service
National Medal of
“Individuals or groups ... deserving of special
https://www.arts.gov/honors/medals
Arts
recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States” (20 U.S.C. §955b)
2013); U.S. President (Obama), “Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Citizens Medals,” Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents (October 20, 2011); U.S. President (G.W. Bush), “Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Citizens Medals,” Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, vol. 44 (November 17, 2008), pp. 1428-1429; U.S. President (Clinton), “Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Citizens Medal,” Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, vol. 37 (January 8, 2001), pp. 41-49.
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Award or Medal
Eligibility/Purpose
Additional Information
National Medal of
“Individuals . . deserving of special recognition
https://new.nsf.gov/od/honorary-awards/
Science
by reason of their outstanding contributions to national-medal-of-science knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, engineering, behavioral or social sciences” (42 U.S.C. §1881)
National Security
“Any person . . for distinguished achievement
Executive Order 10431 (January 19,
Medal
or outstanding contribution made on or after
1953), as amended by Executive Order
July 26, 1947, in the field of national security
13709 (October 2, 2015).
through either exceptionally meritorious service performed in a position of high responsibility or through an act of heroism requiring personal courage of a high degree and complete disregard of personal safety” (E.O. 13709, October 2, 2015)
National Medal of
“Individuals or companies . . deserving of
https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-
Technology and
special recognition by reason of their
resources/ip-programs-and-awards/
Innovation
outstanding contributions to the promotion of
national-medal-technology-and-
technology or technological manpower for the
innovation-nmti
improvement of the economic, environmental, or social well-being of the United States” (15 U.S.C. §3711)
President’s
“Outstanding environmental stewardship
https://www.epa.gov/education/
Environmental
projects developed by K-12 youth”
presidents-environmental-youth-award
Youth Award
President’s
“Individuals whose service positively impacts
https://presidentialserviceawards.gov
Volunteer Service
communities in every corner of the nation and
Award
inspires those around them to take action, too”
Presidential Awards
“The highest honors bestowed by the United
https://paemst.nsf.gov
for Excellence in
States government specifically for K-12
Mathematics and
science, technology, engineering, and
Science Teaching
mathematics teaching”
Presidential Early
“Outstanding scientists and engineers
https://new.nsf.gov/od/honorary-awards/
Career Award for
beginning their independent careers”
pecase
Scientists and Engineers
Presidential Rank
Career appointees who demonstrate
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-
Award
“sustained accomplishment” or “sustained
oversight/senior-executive-service/
extraordinary accomplishment” (5 U.S.C.
presidential-rank-awards
§4507)
Presidential
“Persons who have recently been graduated,
https://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp
Scholars Program
or are about to be graduated, from secondary schools, public or private .. chosen on the basis of their outstanding scholarship” (E.O. 11155, May 23, 1964)
President’s “E” and
“Persons, firms, and organizations engaged in
https://www.commerce.gov/tags/e-
“E Star” Awards
the marketing of products who make
awards
significant contributions to the expansion of the export trade of the United States” (E.O. 10978, December 5, 1961)
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Award or Medal
Eligibility/Purpose
Additional Information
President’s Award
“Civilian officers or employees of the Federal
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-
for Distinguished
Government for the best achievements having
oversight/performance-management/
Federal Civilian
current impact in improving Government
performance-management-cycle/
Service
operations or serving the public interest” (E.O. rewarding/the-presidents-award-for-10717, June 27, 1957)
distinguished-federal-civilian-service
President’s
“Honors graduating elementary, middle and
https://www2.ed.gov/programs/
Education Awards
high school students for their achievement and
presedaward
hard work”
Public Safety Officer “A public safety officer who is cited by the
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/medalofvalor
Medal of Valor
Attorney General, upon the recommendation of the Medal of Valor Review Board, for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty” (42 U.S.C. §15201)
Sources: United States Code, Codification of Presidential Proclamations and Executive Orders, Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents, agency websites. Notes: “Eligibility/Purpose” text comes from the website listed under “Additional Information” if not cited to a section of the U.S. Code or an executive order. Note that this table excludes military decorations and is not a comprehensive list of U.S. government civilian awards.
Related CRS Resources CRS Report R43539, Commemorations in Congress: Options for Honoring Individuals, Groups, and Events, coordinated by Jacob R. Straus.
CRS Report R45101, Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress, by Jacob R. Straus.
CRS In Focus IF12085, Congressional Gold Medals: Categorization of Proposed and Enacted Medals, 1973-2020, by Jacob R. Straus and Jared C. Nagel.
CRS In Focus IF10934, Duplicate Congressional Gold Medals: Frequently Asked Questions, by Jacob R. Straus.
CRS Report 95-519, Medal of Honor: History and Issues, by Barbara Salazar Torreon.
CRS Report RS21282, Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories: A Guide to Locating Sources, by Barbara Salazar Torreon and Travis A. Ferrell.
CRS Report R42704, The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress, by Barbara Salazar Torreon and Carly A. Miller.
Author Information
Barbara Salazar Torreon
Ben Leubsdorf
Senior Research Librarian
Research Librarian
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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards
civilian award of our government. The Presidential Citizens Medal is bestowed at the sole discretion of the President and is usually presented by the President. Past recipients were recognized for their contributions in a variety of areas, including human rights, the civil rights movement, national security, space exploration, religion, government service, and the environment. The Medal may be awarded posthumously. To make a nomination for either the Presidential Medal of Freedom or the Presidential Citizens Medal, a letter detailing the accomplishments of the nominee may be sent to the following:
Executive Office of the President The White House ATTN: Executive Clerk’s Office Washington, DC 20502 https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Additional Awards and Medals
Other awards include the following:
Enrico Fermi Award recognizing contributions in the field of nuclear energy
(Department of Energy) at https://science.osti.gov/fermi;
“E” and “E Star” Awards recognizing contributions to export expansion efforts
(Department of Commerce) at https://www.commerce.gov/tags/e-awards;
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recognizing organizations for their
achievements in quality and business performance (National Institute of Standards and Technology) at https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/baldrige-awardhttps://www.nist.gov/baldrige;
14 See information on recent recipients at “President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” The White House Briefing Room, July 1, 2022, at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/07/01/president-biden-announces-recipients-of-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom/.
15 “Remarks by President Biden at Presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” The White House Briefing Room, July 7, 2022, at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/07/07/remarks-by-president-biden-at-presentation-of-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom/.
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Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
PAEMST (National Science Foundation) at https://www.paemst.org/;
Presidential Rank Award and President’s Award for Distinguished Federal
Civilian Service (Office of Personnel Management) at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/performance-management/performance-management-cycle/rewarding/the-presidents-award-for-distinguished-federal-civilian-service/https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/performance-management/performance-management-cycle/rewarding/the-presidents-award-for-distinguished-federal-civilian-service/; and
President’s Environmental Youth Award (Environmental Protection Agency) at
https://www.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award.
In addition, special awards may be established to grant presidential recognition to persons or organizations for whom other categories of awards are not appropriate. Numerous other awards are authorized and may be presented by the President. See selected medals summarized below.
Table 1. Selected Medals
Award or Medal
Contact Information
Purpose
Congressional Space
Administrator of the National Aeronautics
Awarded to astronauts “whose
Medal of Honor
and Space Administration (NASA)
particular efforts and meritorious
(P.L. 91-76)
https://history.nasa.gov/spacemedal.htm
contributions to the welfare of the nation and mankind have been
51 U.S.C. §30901
Email: hq-histinfo@nasa.gov
exceptional.” Recommendations are made by the administrator of NASA to the President, who may award and present the award in the name of Congress.
National Medal of Science National Medal of Science
Awarded to individuals whose
(Public Law 86-209)
https://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/medal.jsp
accumulated work has had a
42 U.S.C. §1881
particularly significant impact on the
Nominations may be submitted through an
present state of the physical,
online portal at: https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/
biological, mathematical, engineering,
honawards/
or social and behavioral sciences or
Email: nms@nsf.gov
that is deemed likely to strongly influence the future development of scientific thought. Individuals are nominated by their peers, with each nomination requiring a completed nomination form and three letters of support.
National Medal of
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Awarded to individuals, teams, or
Technology
(NMTI)
companies for accomplishments in
Sec.12. National
https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-
the innovation, development,
Technology Medal (P.L.
resources/ip-programs-and-awards/national-
commercialization, and management
96-480)
medal-technology-and-innovation-nmti
of technology, as evidenced by the
Email: nmti@uspto.gov
establishment of new or significantly improved products, processes, or services. For the latest information on the nomination process, see https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/NMTI-Nomination-Guidelines-2023.pdf.
Congressional Research Service
4
A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards
National Security Medal
Executive Secretary of the National Security
Recognizes exceptionally
(Executive Order 10431)
Council
meritorious service performed in a
http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc
position of high responsibility or an act of valor requiring personal courage of a high degree and complete disregard of personal safety. Any individual may recommend a potential recipient as a candidate for the award to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council.
Public Safety Officer
U.S. Department of Justice
Awarded to public safety officers
Medal of Valor Act of
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/medalofvalor
judged to have shown extraordinary
2001
valor above and beyond the call of
(P.L. 107-12)
duty in the exercise of their official duties. Nominations must be
submitted through the online Medal of Valor Nomination System.
Sources: Official websites of selected federal agencies and Congress.gov.
Author Information
Barbara Salazar Torreon
Senior Research Librarian
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
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