Executive Order 11085

Executive Order 11085 was issued by President John F. Kennedy on February 22, 1963, fundamentally restructuring the nation's highest civilian honor. The order replaced the earlier Medal of Freedom established by Harry S. Truman in 1945, elevating its prestige and establishing distinct grades of the award. This action created the modern Presidential Medal of Freedom, a supreme recognition for meritorious contributions to U.S. national interests, world peace, or cultural endeavors. The order placed the award under the exclusive purview of the President of the United States, cementing its status as a premier honor within the American system of awards.

Background and context

The origins of the award trace back to the closing days of World War II, when President Harry S. Truman established the Medal of Freedom to honor civilians for meritorious service during the war. This predecessor award was administered by the National Security Council and various Cabinet secretaries. By the early 1960s, the Kennedy administration sought to create a more distinguished and unified civilian honor to recognize exceptional peacetime achievement. Influenced by the prestige of foreign honors like the British Order of Merit and seeking to streamline the American honors system, President John F. Kennedy directed a review. This process culminated in the issuance of the order, which was signed in a ceremony at the White House, reflecting the administration's emphasis on public service and national prestige during the Cold War.

Provisions of the order

The order formally revoked Executive Order 9586, which had established the original Medal of Freedom, and instituted the Presidential Medal of Freedom in its place. It authorized the President to award the medal to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The order established the award in two degrees: the higher **Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction** and the standard **Presidential Medal of Freedom**. It vested sole award authority in the President, removing the prior administrative role of other government bodies. The order also delegated to the Secretary of State the responsibility for the design and procurement of the medal, in consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Institute of Heraldry.

Design and symbolism of the medal

Pursuant to the order, the design was created under the supervision of the Department of State. The central motif is a white star with red pentagons, set upon a blue background containing thirteen gold stars, echoing the Great Seal of the United States and the Flag of the United States. The star is suspended from a ribbon of white with blue edge stripes and a central red stripe. The medal for the "with Distinction" grade is worn as a star on the left chest with a sash over the shoulder, while the standard grade is worn as a badge on a neck ribbon. The design incorporates elements symbolizing freedom, achievement, and national honor, drawing from American heraldic traditions overseen by the Commission of Fine Arts.

Historical significance and impact

The order transformed the Presidential Medal of Freedom into the preeminent civilian award of the United States government. The first recipients under the new order were awarded posthumously to Pope John XXIII and John F. Kennedy himself, with the latter's award presented by President Lyndon B. Johnson in December 1963. Over the decades, it has been bestowed upon a diverse array of global figures, including scientists like Jonas Salk, artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr., foreign dignitaries like Nelson Mandela, and entertainers such as Bob Hope. The award's establishment under Executive Order 11085 centralized the recognition of extraordinary civilian service, creating a powerful symbolic tool for the executive branch to honor contributions that shape American society and its global standing.

Subsequent related orders and awards

While Executive Order 11085 remains the foundational document for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, subsequent executive actions have modified its administration. Most notably, Executive Order 11515 of 1970, issued by President Richard Nixon, amended the order to allow for the award of the medal to individuals for contributions to the security or national interests of the United States posthumously. The medal exists alongside other high-level U.S. civilian awards, such as the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Citizens Medal, but retains its unique status as the highest honor the President can confer. Its legacy is evident in its continued use by every administration since Lyndon B. Johnson to recognize exceptional lifetime achievement. Category:United States federal executive orders Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom Category:John F. Kennedy