For exceptionally meritorious service to the U. S. while assigned to a Joint Activity in a position of unique and great responsibility.
An Order is a decoration, awarded by a government to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. Modern orders and decorations can trace its origin back to the medieval Orders of Chivalry. By the time of the Renaissance, most European monarchs either acquired an existing Order of Chivalry, or created new orders of their own, to reward loyal civilian and especially military officials. Some of modern Europe's highest honours, such as Britain's Order of the Garter and Denmark's Order of the Elephant, were created during that era.
Such orders remained out of reach to the general public, however, until the nineteenth century. In 1802 Napoleon created the Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honour), which is still France's highest award; it can be awarded to any person, regardless of status, for bravery in combat or for 20 years of distinguished service.
The Legion of Honour serves as the model for numerous modern orders of merit in the Western World, such as the Order of Leopold (Belgium, 1832) and the Order of the British Empire (United Kingdom, 1917). These orders typically have five classes, each wearing a badge (usually enamelled) on a ribbon, as a sash for the senior class, around the neck or on the left chest for the lower grades (ladies may wear the badge on a bow on the left chest). The two highest classes also wear a star (or 'plaque') on the chest. In special cases the senior class may wear the badge on a collar, which is an elaborate chain around the neck. Military awards may have crossed swords added onto the insignias.
Civilian decorations of the United States are bestowed by various agencies of the United States government for acts of accomplishment benefiting the government as a whole. Contrary to the awards and decorations of the United States military, U.S. civilian decorations are typically issued for sustained meritorious service over a period of time rather than for a specific heroic or meritorious act.
Civil decorations awarded to military personnel should not be considered military decorations, although some orders of chivalry have civil and military divisions. Decorations received by police and fire brigade personnel may sometimes be considered alongside military decorations, on which they may be modelled, although they are strictly not military awards.
United States civilian awards and issued by federal, state, and local authorities with the most recognizable decorations issued on the federal level. Certain other civilian decorations may be authorized for wear on U.S. military uniforms, upon approval of the military service departments. Each of the military branches also maintains their own series of civilian decorations separate from military awards. There are several forms of civil decorations:
Orders of chivalry, usually in several classes, for distinguished services to the government, the community, the society or humanity. Two examples would be the British Order of St. Michael and St. George and the US Presidential Medal of Freedom;
Orders of merit, often in a single class, for distinguished services to the arts, literature or science. Two examples would be the British Order of Merit and Order of the Companions of Honour;
Decorations of merit for distinguished services in agriculture or industry. This form of decoration existed mainly in Communist states, an example being the Hero of Socialist Labor (USSR);
Bravery awards for civilians (including police and firefighting personnel), in the form of a cross, star or medal on a ribbon. An example would be the British George Cross;
Awards for distinguished service in the police, firefighting and other services, usually as a medal on a ribbon;
Awards for long service in the police, firefighting and other services, usually as a medal on a ribbon.
Harry Chapin
For his highlighting of hunger around the world and in the US, including being widely recognised as the key player in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977, Chapin was posthumously awarded the Special Congressional Gold Medal in 1987. He died on July 16, 1981 in a car accident at the age of only 38. In 1974 he charted at number 28: Cat's In The Cradle.
Congressional Gold Medal
Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Each medal honors a particular individual, institution, or event. Although the first recipients included citizens who participated in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Mexican War, Congress broadened the scope of the medal to include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in aeronautics and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public servants, and foreign recipients.
In addition to the requirement that all Congressional Gold Medal legislation must be cosponsored by at least two-thirds (290) of the Members of the House, specific standards are set forth by Rule VII (c)(vii) of the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services's Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy when considering such legislation. Additionally, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee requires that at least 67 Senators must cosponsor any Congressional Gold Medal legislation before the committee will consider it.
In 1940, Congress awarded George M. Cohan a special medal for composing Over There. Cohan is probably the most honored American entertainer. On June 29, 1936, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a great fan of Cohan, presented him with a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of his contibutions to World War I morale, in particular the song "Over There", Cohan wrote the song as a patriotic tribute when the U.S. entered World War I. This award is sometimes wrongly characterized as a Medal of Honor, but only combat veterans are given that medal.
George M. Cohan was born July 3, 1878, in Providence, Rhode Island. Besides "Over There," Cohan also wrote, I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy, Give My Regards to Broadway and You're a Grand Old Flag. He had little formal training, but he and his sister joined their parents' vaudeville act and became known as "The Four Cohans." Cohan had many talents. He not only wrote songs, but also he acted and wrote plays. The movie "Yankee Doodle Dandy" was made about his career. Cohan died in New York City, New York, 5 November 1942. Cohan is the only American composer to have this honor.
Monday, 29 June 1936
AN ACT
Authorizing the President to present a gold medal to George M. Cohan.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized to present, but not in the name of Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to George M. Cohan, in recognition of his services during the World War in composing the patriotic song "Over There", and prior thereto that thrilling song "A Grand Old Flag."
49 Stat. 2371
James Cagney
Awarded by
President Ronald Reagan
March 26, 1984
As a giant in the world of entertainment, James Cagney has left his mark not only on the film industry but on the hearts of all his fellow Americans. In some 60 years in entertainment, performing on stage and screen, he mastered drama and action adventure, as well as music and dance. One of his most remembered performances, as George M. Cohan in "Yankee Doodle Dandy," was a whirlwind singing and dancing film that inspired a Nation at war when it sorely needed a lift in spirit. James Cagney's professional and personal life has brought great credit to him and left unforgettable memories with millions who have followed his career...
In 1984, James Cagney was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, by his long time friend, former actor turned President, Ronald Reagan. Less than two years after presenting James Cagney with the Medal of Freedom, Ronald Reagan delivered the actor's eulogy. James Francis Cagney died in his sleep of a heart attack at his farm in Stanfordville, New York, March 30th, 1986. His survivors at his death included his wife of 64 years, Frances Vernon Cagney and his adopted children.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
It was established by President Harry Truman in 1945 to honor service during World War II. President John F. Kennedy revived the medal in 1963 through Executive Order 11085, and expanded its purpose. The medal is awarded annually, on or near the Fourth of July, and at other times as chosen by the President. Recipients are selected by the President, either on his/her initiative or based on recommendations. The order reviving the medal also expanded the size and the responsibilities of the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board so it would serve as a major source of such recommendations.
Congressional Space Medal Of Honor
The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress in 1969 to recognize "any astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind." Although the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is a civilian award of the United States government, it is authorized as a military decoration for display on U.S. military uniforms due to the prestige of the decoration. In such cases, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is worn as a ribbon following all United States Armed Forces decorations.
Defense Of Freedom Medal
The Defense of Freedom medal will be the civilian equivalent of the military's Purple Heart. The first recipients to be honored will be those Defense Department civilians injured or killed recently as a result of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon. At the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, the medal may be awarded to non-Defense employees, such as contractors, based on their involvement in Department of Defense activities.
The medal itself consists of a golden circle framing a bald eagle holding a shield which exemplifies the principles of freedom and the defense of those freedoms upon which our nation is founded. The reverse of the medal is inscribed with "On Behalf of a Grateful Nation" with a space for the recipient's name to be inscribed. The laurel wreath represents honor and high achievement. The ribbon is the red, white and blue. The red stripes commemorate valor and sacrifice. The wide blue stripe represents strength. The white stripes symbolize liberty as represented in our national flag. The number of red stripes represents the four terrorist attacks using hijacked airplanes and the single blue stripe represents the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
Distinguished Service Medal
The Distinguished Service Medal is a high level military and civilian decoration of the United States of America which is issued for meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United States armed forces. The Distinguished Service Medal is issed both as a military decoration and civilian award.
