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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

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A Guide to Major Congressional and
December 5, 2023
Presidential Awards
Barbara Salazar Torreon
This report is intended to help congressional offices obtain information about awards authorized
Senior Research Librarian
by Congress and the President. It provides details about the establishment, criteria, selection

process, and presentation of five presidential and congressional awards: the Congressional
Ben Leubsdorf
Award, Congressional Gold Medal, Medal of Honor, Presidential 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

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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Congressional Award ....................................................................................................................... 1
Congressional Gold Medal .............................................................................................................. 1
Medal of Honor ............................................................................................................................... 2
Presidential Medal of Freedom ....................................................................................................... 2
Presidential Citizens Medal ............................................................................................................. 3
Additional Awards and Medals ........................................................................................................ 4
Related CRS Resources ................................................................................................................... 6

Tables
Table 1. Selected National Medals and Awards ............................................................................... 4

Contacts
Author Information .......................................................................................................................... 7

Congressional Research Service

A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

Introduction
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 four program areas: voluntary
public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. When
participants fulfill the criteria, they can earn Congressional Award Certificates (Bronze, Silver,
and Gold) and Congressional Award Medals (Bronze, Silver, and Gold).3
Traditionally, a gold medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol recognizes recipients each year.4
The program may be contacted at:
Congressional Award Foundation
P.O. Box 77440
Washington, DC 20013
Phone: (888) 80-AWARD; (202) 226-0130
Email: information@congressionalaward.org
Website: https://www.congressionalaward.org
Congressional Gold Medal
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
of great events. First issued by the Continental Congress to General George Washington in 1776,5
the medal is considered one of the highest honors bestowed on behalf of the nation.

1 P.L. 96-114, 93 Stat. 851 (1979), codified at 2 U.S.C. §801-§808. The Congressional Award Program was
reauthorized through October 1, 2023, by P.L. 115-268, 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 Program, at https://www.congressionalaward.org/the-program.
4 Congressional Award Foundation, Annual Gold Medal Ceremony, at 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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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

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.6
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.
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.
For additional information including a full list of Congressional Gold Medal recipients, see CRS
Report R45101, Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for
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
name of Congress,” and is sometimes referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.7
Congress established the Medal of Honor during the Civil War to recognize soldiers who 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.”8
Recommendations for the Medal of Honor are generally made by the military commander or
others present at the time of the act. These recommendations are reviewed by the Department of
Defense, which makes the final determination on military awards.9
In addition to the prestige associated with the Medal of Honor, recipients receive additional
courtesies and benefits, including a monthly pension of $1,671.16 and access to certain military
benefits.10
For additional information, including recommendation procedures, see CRS Report 95-519,
Medal of Honor: History and Issues, by Barbara Salazar Torreon.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is typically described as the highest civilian award of the
United States government. It 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 or
services performed by civilians 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 information on duplicate medals, see CRS In Focus IF10934, Duplicate Congressional Gold
Medals: Frequently Asked Questions, by Jacob R. Straus.
7 Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Statistics and FAQs, at https://www.cmohs.org/medal/faqs.
8 10 U.S.C. §9271.
9 Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 1, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: Medal of Honor,
May 7, 2021, at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833_Vol1.PDF.
10 See 38 C.F.R. §3.802 for information on benefits, and see https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/special-
benefit-allowance-rates/ for the Medal of Honor pension rate as of December 1, 2023.
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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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to recognize “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 other significant public or private endeavors.”13 There are two degrees of
the Medal, the higher being the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction.
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 interests of the President.
The accomplishments of past recipients have been in wide-ranging fields, including public
service, journalism, business, sports, and entertainment.15
The award is generally presented by the President at a White House ceremony. 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.
For additional information including a full list of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, see
CRS Report R47639, Presidential Medal of Freedom, by Ben Leubsdorf.
Presidential Citizens Medal
In 1969, President Richard M. Nixon created the Presidential Citizens Medal “for the purpose of
recognizing citizens of the United States of America who have performed exemplary deeds of
service for their country or their fellow citizens.”17 It is generally described as the second-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
(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

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,
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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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

Award or Medal
Eligibility/Purpose
Additional Information
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)
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)
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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards

Award or Medal
Eligibility/Purpose
Additional Information
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)
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 R47639, Presidential Medal of Freedom, by Ben Leubsdorf.
CRS Report R42704, The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress, by Barbara Salazar
Torreon and Carly A. Miller.


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A Guide to Major Congressional and Presidential Awards


Author Information

Barbara Salazar Torreon
Ben Leubsdorf
Senior Research Librarian
Research Librarian




Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
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under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
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