 | | Presidential Medal of Freedom Highest civilian award Recognizes individuals including non-US citizens for... "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." Established in 1945 by President Harry Truman to honor service during WWII. President John F. Kennedy revived the medal that is awarded annually on or near July 4th to several people. Recipients for most recent years
| |  | | Presidential Citizens Medal Second highest civilian award Recognizes U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for the nation. Conferred annually and may be posthumously Established on November 13, 1969 by President Richard Nixon Recipients
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