Back Медаль Свабоды (ЗША) Byelorussian Medal of Freedom Danish Medal of Freedom (1945) German Médaille de la Liberté French מדליית החירות (1945) HE Medal of Freedom (1945) Italian Medal of Freedom Dutch Frihetsmedaljen NB Medal Wolności (1945) Polish Медаль Свободы (США) Russian
| Medal of Freedom | |
|---|---|
&sq=engine&lang=en&file=File:Medaloffreedom.jpg) &sq=engine&lang=en&file=File:Medal_of_Freedom,_reverse_side.png) Obverse and reverse of medal with palm device | |
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | "A meritorious act or service which has aided the United States in the prosecution of a war against an enemy or enemies and for which an award of another United States medal or decoration is considered inappropriate" |
| Country |  United States |
| Presented by | the Secretary of State, Secretary of War or Secretary of the Navy |
| Eligibility | Any person not a member of the armed forces of the United States |
| Status | Replaced 22 February 1963 by Presidential Medal of Freedom[1] |
| Established | 1945 |
| First awarded | 1945 |
| Last awarded | 1962[2] |
| Total | Over 20,000 |
&sq=engine&lang=en&file=File:Medal_of_Freedom.svg){kind=small} Ribbon bar of the medal | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Medal for Merit |
| Next (lower) | unspecified |
The Medal of Freedom was a decoration established by President Harry S. Truman to honor civilians whose actions aided in the war efforts of the United States and its allies during and beyond World War II. It was intended to be awarded by the secretary of state, the secretary of war, or the secretary of the navy, but presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy also authorized awards.[3] The first woman and American citizen to receive it was Anna M. Rosenberg by Robert P. Patterson on the recommendation of Eisenhower.[4][5]
- ^ Kennedy, John F. (22 February 1963). "The Presidential Medal of Freedom". Executive Order 11085. United States Government. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
The Medal of Freedom is hereby reestablished as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with accompanying ribbons and appurtenances.
- ^ "Journal of the Orders & Medals Society of America; Volume 14, Issue 1" (PDF). OSMA. January 1963. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ Peters, Gerhard; Woolley, John T. (24 June 1980). "Interview With the President Responses to Written Questions Submitted by the EFE Spanish News Agency". The American Presidency Project. University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- ^ "Anna Rosenberg, first woman to receive Medal of Freedom". jwa.org. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ^ "Photo of Mrs. Anna Rosenberg being presented the Medal of Freedom by Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson". trumanlibrary.gov. Retrieved 20 October 2021.