[Title 32 CFR 578.17]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 2002 Edition]
[Title 32 - NATIONAL DEFENSE]
[Chapter V - DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY]
[Subchapter F - PERSONNEL]
[Part 578 - DECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES]
[Sec. 578.17 - Presidential Medal of Freedom.]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


32NATIONAL DEFENSE32002-07-012002-07-01false578.17Sec. 578.17NATIONAL DEFENSEDEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYPERSONNELDECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES
Sec. 578.17  Presidential Medal of Freedom.

    (a) Criteria--(1) Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom was 
established by Executive Order 9586, 6 July 1945, as amended by 
Executive Order 10336, 5 April 1952, to be awarded to any person other 
than a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 6 
December 1941, performed a meritorious act or service which aided the 
United States in the prosecution of a war against an armed enemy or 
enemies, or similarly aided any nation engaged with the United States in 
the prosecution of a war against a common enemy or enemies, or during 
any period of national emergency declared by the President or the 
Congress furthered the interests or the security of the United States or 
of any nation allied or associated with the United States during

[[Page 403]]

such period when the award of any other United States military 
decoration was not deemed appropriate. Under special circumstances, 
without regard to the existence of a state of war or national emergency, 
the Medal of Freedom was awarded by or at the direction of the President 
for performance of a meritorious act or service in the interest of the 
security of the United States. The Medal of Freedom was reestablished as 
the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 22 February 1963 and no awards of 
the Medal of Freedom after that date are authorized.
    (2) Establishment of Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Medal of 
Freedom was reestablished as the Presidential Medal of Freedom by 
Executive Order 11085, 22 February 1963, to be awarded to any person who 
has made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or 
national interest of the United States, to world peace or to cultural or 
other significant public or private endeavors. The Medal can only be 
awarded by the President of the United States who makes the final 
selection of recipients with the assistance of a Distinguished Civilian 
Service Awards Board. The President may select for award of the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom any person nominated by the Board, any 
person otherwise recommended to him for award of the Medal, or any 
person he selects upon his own initiative. Announcement of awards will 
be made by the President on or about 4 July of each year.
    (b) Description. The Medal of bronze is 1\1/4\ inches in diameter. 
On the obverse are the head, shoulders, and headdress of Freedom (taken 
from the statue on the top of the United States Capitol dome). In the 
lower portion in an arc is the inscription ``Freedom.'' On the reverse 
is the ``Liberty Bell'' without carriage, within a circle composed of 
the words ``United States of America.'' The medal is suspended by a ring 
from a moired silk ribbon 1\3/8\ inches in length and 1\3/8\ inches in 
width, composed of red (\7/16\-inch), white (\1/32\-inch), red (\1/8\-
inch), white (\1/32\-inch), red (\1/8\-inch), white (\1/32\-inch), red 
(\1/8\-inch), white (\1/32\-inch), and red (\7/16\-inch). The gold, 
silver, or bronze palm is 1\1/8\ inches in length, and is worn on the 
suspension and service ribbons of the Medal of Freedom with the tip of 
the palm toward the wearer's right.

[E.O. 9586, July 6, 1945, 10 FR 8523, as amended by E.O. 10336, Apr. 3, 
1952, 17 FR 2957; 29 FR 528, Jan. 22, 1964]