Presidential Medal of Freedom (1945)
(Medal of Freedom)

BACK DEVICES

Description:

1. Authorized by Executive Order 9586, “The Medal of Freedom” July 6, 1945, amended by Executive Order No. 10336 of April 3, 1952.
2. The medal may be awarded by the President as provided in thisorder to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to 
   1. While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.
   2. world peace, or
   3. cultural or other significantpublic or private endeavors.
3. The President may select for the award of the Medal any person recommended to thePresident for award of the Medal or any person selected by the President upon his owninitiative. 
4. The principal announcement of awards of the Medal shall normally be made annually, on orabout July 4 of each year; but such awards may be made at other times, as the President maydeem appropriate.
5. Subject to the provisions of this Order, the Medal may be awarded posthumously.

Background:

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.

The medal is a bronze disc whose obverse features the profile of the Statue of Freedom of the US Capitol Building, with the word "FREEDOM" in capital letters in an arc at the bottom of the disc.

The reverse features the Liberty Bell surrounded by the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in capital letters.

The medal is suspended on a red ribbon with four thin white stripes.

The original Executive Order 9586 establishing the medal specified "No more than one Medal of Freedom shall be awarded to any one person, but for a subsequent act or service justifying such an award a suitable device may be awarded to be worn with the medal" and bronze, silver, and gold palm devices were produced and awarded.

There is no evidence of U.S. citizens having received these palm devices, whereas some non-U.S. citizens did receive them and the devices have been interpreted as signifying degrees of the award.