List of Congressional Gold Medal recipients
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
This is a list of recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress.
Contents
Recipients of Continental Congress Gold Medals
Recipient(s) | Date of approval | Public law | Notes | Medal | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
George Washington | March 25, 1776 | Continental Congress | In honor of the liberation of Boston, first major city liberated from British occupation. Later led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War (1775β1783). Presented to Washington March 21, 1790 and currently resides at the Boston Public Library.[1] Also See Washington Before Boston Medal |
||
Major General Horatio Gates | November 4, 1777 | Continental Congress | Victor in Saratoga campaign. The medal is currently possessed by the New York Historical Society. | ||
Major General Anthony Wayne | July 26, 1779 | Continental Congress | Commander at the Battle of Stony Point. The medal is currently possessed by the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution. | ||
Major Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee | September 24, 1779 | Continental Congress | Commander at the Battle of Paulus Hook. Only non-general to receive a gold medal during the American Revolutionary War | ||
Brigadier General Daniel Morgan | March 9, 1781 | Continental Congress | Commander at the Battle of Cowpens. In 1836 Congress (5 Stat. 66) authorized a duplicate be struck to replace the lost original, and be presented to Morgan Neville, his lineal heir | ||
Major General Nathanael Greene | October 29, 1781 | Continental Congress | Commander at the Battle of Eutaw Springs | ||
John Paul Jones | October 16, 1787 | Continental Congress | "For his 'valor and brilliant services' during the Battle of Flamborough Head eight years earlier. Jones became the first and only Continental Navy officer to receive this distinction for his service during the American Revolution."[2] |
Recipients of U.S. Congress Gold Medals
Recipient(s) | Date of approval | Public law | Notes | Medal | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Captain Thomas Truxtun | March 29, 1800 | 2 Stat. 87[3] | Commander of the USS Constellation during the battle against the French frigate La Vengeance | ||
Commodore Edward Preble | March 3, 1805 | 2 Stat. 346β347 | For 1804 attacks on Tripoli during the First Barbary War | ||
|
Captain Isaac Hull, Captain Stephen Decatur, and Captain Jacob Jones | January 29, 1813 | 2 Stat. 830 | For action against the Guerriere, Macedonian, and Frolic during the War of 1812. Silver duplicates awarded to their commissioned officers on board. |
|
Captain William Bainbridge | March 3, 1813 | 2 Stat. 831 | Commander of the USS Constitution during its capture of HMS Java. Silver duplicates awarded to his commissioned officers on board. The medal is currently possessed by the USS Constitution Museum. | ||
Captain Oliver Hazard Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliott | January 6, 1814 | 3 Stat. 141 | Victors of the Battle of Lake Erie. Silver medals authorized for their commissioned officers on board. | ||
Lieutenant William Ward Burrows II and Lieutenant Edward McCall | January 6, 1814 | 3 Stat. 141β142 | For capture of HMS Boxer; awarded posthumously to Burrows, who was killed in action. Silver duplicates awarded to his commissioned officers on board. | ||
Captain James Lawrence | January 11, 1814 | 3 Stat. 142 | Awarded posthumously for capture of HMS Peacock. Silver medals awarded to his commissioned officers on board. | ||
Captain Thomas Macdonough, Captain Robert Henley, and Lieutenant Stephen Cassin | October 20, 1814 | 3 Stat. 245β246 | Heroes of Battle of Plattsburgh | ||
Captain Lewis Warrington | October 21, 1814 | 3 Stat. 246 | For capture of HMS Epervier. Silver duplcates awarded to his commissioned officers on board. | ||
Captain Johnston Blakeley | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 246β247 | For capture of HMS Reindeer. Silver duplicates awarded to his commissioned officers on board. | ||
Major General Jacob Brown | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 247 | Commander at the Battles of Chippawa, Niagara, and Erie | ||
Major General Winfield Scott | November 3, 1814 March 9, 1848 |
3 Stat. 247 9 Stat. 333 |
|||
Brigadier General Eleazar Ripley, Brigadier General James Miller, and Major General Peter Buell Porter | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 247 | For their actions at the battles of Chippawa, Niagara, and Erie | ||
Major General Edmund P. Gaines | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 247 | For his actions on 15 August 1814 at the Battle of Erie (now known as the Siege of Fort Erie) | ||
Major General Alexander Macomb | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 247 | For his actions on 11 September 1814 at The Battle of Plattsburgh | ||
Major General Andrew Jackson | February 27, 1815 | 3 Stat. 249 | For the defense of New Orleans | ||
Captain Charles Stewart | February 22, 1816 | 3 Stat. 341 | For the capture of HMS Cyane and HMS Levant. Silver medals awarded to his commissioned officers on board. | ||
Captain James Biddle | February 22, 1816 | 3 Stat. 341 | For the capture of HMS Penguin. Silver medals awarded to his commissioned officers on board. | ||
Major General William Henry Harrison and Governor Isaac Shelby |
April 4, 1818 | 3 Stat. 476 | Victors of the Battle of the Thames | ||
Colonel George Croghan | February 13, 1835 | 4 Stat. 792 | For the defense of Fort Stephenson | ||
Major General Zachary Taylor | July 16, 1846 March 2, 1847 May 9, 1848 |
9 Stat. 111 9 Stat. 206 9 Stat. 334-335 |
Only individual to be awarded three times[4] | ||
Rescuers of the Officers and Crew of the U.S. Brig Somers | March 3, 1847 | 9 Stat. 208 | Awarded to officers and men of French, British, and Spanish ships who rescued officers and men of the Somers during the Mexican-American War. | ||
Commander Duncan Ingraham | August 4, 1854 | 10 Stat. 594β595 | For his role in the Koszta Affair | ||
Frederick Rose (surgeon) | May 11, 1858 | 11 Stat. 369 | First time a Congressional Gold Medal was given to any non-member of the US military.[5] | ||
Major General Ulysses S. Grant | December 17, 1863 | 13 Stat. 399 | For gallantry and good conduct of himself and his troops in battles of the rebellion. The medal is currently possessed by the Smithsonian. | ||
Cornelius Vanderbilt | January 28, 1864 | 13 Stat. 401 | For donating his steamship Vanderbilt to the Union | ||
Captain Creighton, Captain Low, and Captain Stouffer | July 26, 1866 | 14 Stat. 365β366 | For rescuing "about 500" Americans from the wreck of the steamship San Francisco | ||
Cyrus West Field | March 2, 1867 | 14 Stat. 574 | For establishing the first Transatlantic telegraph cable | ||
George Peabody | March 16, 1867 | 15 Stat. 20 | For giving $2,000,000 for the promotion of education in the more destitute portions of the southern and southwestern States. | ||
George F. Robinson | March 1, 1871 | 16 Stat. 704 | |||
Captain Jared Crandall and Others | February 24, 1873 | 17 Stat. 638 | For rescue operations involving the steamer Metis. Statute does not specifically call for gold medals to the ten individuals cited (including Crandall), instead leaves it to the discretion of the President. Unclear if any were gold. | ||
John Horn, Jr. | June 20, 1874 April 28, 1904 |
18 Stat. 573 33 Stat. 1684β1685 |
Noted lifesaver. 1904 medal was a re-issue of the earlier award, which Horn claimed had been stolen. Customarily, the Secretary of the Treasury had issued duplicate medals upon the submission of absolute proof that showed the originals had been irrecoverably lost or destroyed. Since such proof was absent in Horn's case, congressional approval was necessary before the medal could be replaced.[6] | ||
John Fox Slater | February 5, 1883 | 22 Stat. 636 | United States philanthropist known for assisting in the education of emancipated African American slaves. | ||
Joseph Francis | August 27, 1888 | 25 Stat. 1249 | Inventor of life-saving tools. The medal is currently possessed by the Smithsonian. | ||
Chief Engineer George Wallace Melville and Others | September 30, 1890 | 26 Stat. 552β553 | To commemorate the perils encountered during the Jeannette Expedition. 8 gold and 25 silver medals were struck, in decoration form, suspended from a ribbon.[7][8] | ||
First Lieutenant Frank H. Newcomb | May 3, 1900 | 31 Stat. 716 | For heroism as commanding officer of USRC Hudson during the Battle of Cardenas, 1898. The officers and men of Hudson received silver and bronze versions of the gold medal. | ||
First Lieutenant David H. Jarvis, Second Lieutenant Ellsworth P. Bertholf and Dr. Samuel J. Call | June 28, 1902 | 32 Stat. 492 | Participants in the Overland Relief Expedition of 1897β98 | ||
Orville and Wilbur Wright | March 4, 1909 | 35 Stat. 1627 | |||
Captain Arthur Henry Rostron | July 6, 1912 | 37 Stat. 639 | Captain of the RMS Carpathia who rescued the survivors of the sunken RMS Titanic at considerable risk to his own ship. | ||
Captain Paul H. Kreibohm and others | March 19, 1914 | 38 Stat. 769 | For participation in the rescue of passengers and crew of the SS Volturno | ||
Domicio da Gama, RΓ³mulo SebastiΓ‘n NaΓ³n, and Eduardo SuΓ‘rez Mujica | March 4, 1915 | 38 Stat. 1228 | |||
Charles Lindbergh | May 4, 1928 | 45 Stat. 490 | |||
Lincoln Ellsworth, Roald Amundsen, and Umberto Nobile | May 29, 1928 | 45 Stat. 2026β2027 | |||
Thomas Edison | May 29, 1928 | 45 Stat. 1012 | |||
First Successful Trans-Atlantic Flight | February 9, 1929 | 45 Stat. 1158 | See also NC-4 Medal | ||
Major Walter Reed and Associates for Yellow Fever Experimentations in Cuba | February 28, 1929 | 45 Stat. 1409β1410 | Also see Walter Reed Medal | ||
Officers and Men of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition | May 23, 1930 | 46 Stat. 379 | 81 people connected with the expedition were awarded medals: 65 were awarded gold, seven received silver medals, and nine received bronze.[9] | ||
Lincoln Ellsworth | June 16, 1936 | 49 Stat. 2324 | |||
George Cohan | June 29, 1936 | 49 Stat. 2371 | |||
Mrs. Richard Aldrich and Anna Bouligny | June 20, 1938 | 52 Stat. 1365 | "Gold medals were given to Mrs. Richard Aldrich and Anna Bouligny some four decades after they served wounded soldiers in Puerto Rico. As part of their 'outstanding, unselfish, and wholly voluntary service,' they set up and worked in hospitals 'for the care and treatment of military patients in Puerto Rico' during the War with Spain. Mrs. Aldrich and Ms. Bouligny 'voluntarily went to Puerto Rico and there rendered service of inestimable value to the Army of the United States in the establishment and operation of hospitals.'"[10] | ||
Howard Hughes | August 7, 1939 | 53 Stat. 1525 | |||
Reverend Francis X. Quinn | August 10, 1939 | 53 Stat. 1533 | Pastor of the Church of the Guardian Angel in New York City. Honored for risking his life in persuading a gunman holding an elderly couple hostage to surrender to police.[11] | ||
William Sinnott | June 15, 1940 | 54 Stat. 1283 | |||
Roland Boucher | January 20, 1942 | 56 Stat. 1099β1100 | 11-year-old Roland Boucher made national headlines in saving five playmates who fell through the ice of Lake Champlain. No one of his age had been awarded a medal until the young victims of the 16th Street Baptist church bombing were honored in 2013.[12] | ||
Members of the United States Antarctic Expedition of 1939-1941 | September 24, 1945 | P.L. 79-185, 59 Stat. 536 | "The Secretary of the Navy is authorized and directed to cause to be made at the United States mint such number of gold, silver, and bronze medals of appropriate design as he may deem appropriate and necessary, to be presented to members of the United States Antarctic Expedition of 1939-1941, in recognition of their valuable services to the Nation in the field of polar exploration and science." β P.L. 79-185[N 1] also see United States Antarctic Expedition Medal | ||
George Catlett Marshall, General of the Army, and Fleet Admiral Ernest Joseph King | March 22, 1946 | 60 Stat. 1134β1135 | |||
John J. Pershing, General of the Armies of the United States | August 7, 1946 | 60 Stat. 1297β1298 | |||
Brigadier General Billy Mitchell | August 8, 1946 | 60 Stat. 1319 | |||
Vice President Alben W. Barkley | August 12, 1949 | P.L. 81-221, 63 Stat. 599 | |||
Irving Berlin | July 16, 1954 | P.L. 83-536, 68 Stat. A120 | |||
Doctor Jonas Salk | August 9, 1955 | P.L. 84-297, 69 Stat. 589 | |||
Surviving Veterans of the American Civil War | July 18, 1956 | P.L. 84-730, 70 Stat. 577 | "This medal was awarded about 90 years after the Civil War ended. At the time, there were only four veterans of that war known to still be alive. The medal honored the last surviving veterans 'who served in the Union or the Confederate forces.'"[13] | ||
Rear Admiral Hyman Rickover | August 28, 1958 | P.L. 85-826, 72 Stat. 985 | "In recognition of successfully directing the development and construction of the world's first nuclear-powered ships and the first large-scale nuclear power reactor devoted exclusively to the production of electricity" β P.L. 85-826 | ||
Doctor Robert Goddard | September 16, 1959 | P.L. 86-277, 73 Stat. 562-563 | "In recognition of his pioneering research on space rockets, missiles, and jet propulsion" (awarded posthumously) β P.L. 86-277 | ||
Robert Frost | September 13, 1960 | P.L. 86-747, 74 Stat. 883 | "In recognition of his poetry, which enriched the culture of the United States and the philosophy of the world." β P.L. 86-747 | ||
Doctor Thomas Anthony Dooley III | May 27, 1961 | P.L. 87-42, 75 Stat. 87 | |||
Bob Hope | June 8, 1962 | P.L. 87-478, 76 Stat. 93 | |||
Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House of Representatives | September 26, 1962 | P.L. 87-478, 76 Stat. 605 | |||
Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army | October 9, 1962 | P.L. 87-760, 76 Stat. 760 | |||
Walt Disney | May 24, 1968 | P.L. 90-316, 82 Stat. 130β131 | |||
Sir Winston Churchill | May 7, 1969 | P.L. 91-12, 83 Stat. 8β9 | |||
Roberto Clemente | May 14, 1973 | P.L. 93-33, 87 Stat. 71 | The United States has honored several famous sports figures with Congressional Gold Medals among them baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, a native of Puerto Rico. | ||
Marian Anderson | March 8, 1977 | P.L. 95-9, 91 Stat. 19 | "Marian Anderson was a world-famous singer who was often treated unfairly. The medal honors her 'highly distinguished and impressive career.' She helped the arts to advance in this country and throughout the world, helped world peace through her performances, her recordings, and her work as United States delegate to the United Nations."[14] | ||
Lieutenant General Ira Eaker | October 10, 1978 | P.L. 95-438, 92 Stat. 1060 | |||
Robert Kennedy | November 1, 1978 | P.L. 95-560, 92 Stat. 2142 | |||
John Wayne | May 26, 1979 | P.L. 96-15, 93 Stat. 32 | |||
Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman | June 13, 1979 | P.L. 96-20, 93 Stat. 45 | Awarded for the first manned balloon crossing of the Atlantic ocean in the Double Eagle II | ||
Hubert Humphrey | June 13, 1979 | P.L. 96-91, 93 Stat. 46 | |||
American Red Cross | December 12, 1979 | P.L. 96-138, 93 Stat. 1063 | |||
Canadian Ambassador Kenneth D. Taylor OC | March 6, 1980 | P.L. 96-201, 94 Stat. 79 | Canadian Ambassador to Iran who was instrumental in the rescue of American diplomatic staff during the Iran Hostage Crisis, this event became commonly known as the Canadian Caper; he's also a recipient of the Order of Canada. | ||
Simon Wiesenthal | March 17, 1980 | P.L. 96-211, 94 Stat. 101 | |||
1980 US Summer Olympic Team | July 8, 1980 | P.L. 96-306 94 Stat. 937 | To recognize the athletes of the 1980 US Summer Olympic team, who forfeited the Moscow games due to the United States boycott to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Because of the high volume of medals needed, Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to forge gold-plated medals in lieu of standard solid gold medals.[15] | ||
Queen Beatrix I of the Netherlands | March 22, 1982 | P.L. 97-158, 96 Stat. 18β19 | |||
Admiral Hyman Rickover (second time) | June 23, 1982 | P.L. 97-201, 96 Stat. 126β127 | |||
Fred Waring | August 26, 1982 | P.L. 97-246, 96 Stat. 315β316 | |||
Joe Louis | August 26, 1982 | P.L. 97-246, 96 Stat. 315β316 | |||
Louis L'Amour | August 26, 1982 | P.L. 97-246, 96 Stat. 315β316 | |||
Leo Ryan | November 18, 1983 | P.L. 98-159, 97 Stat. 992 | On November 18, 1978 Congressman Ryan was murdered in Guyana while on a mission to investigate allegations of abuse at an American camp of cult leader Jim Jones. He was awarded the medal posthumously five years later. Ryan is the only U.S. Member of Congress killed in the line of duty.[16] | ||
Danny Thomas | November 29, 1983 | P.L. 98-172, 97 Stat. 1119β1120 | |||
Harry S. Truman | May 8, 1984 | P.L. 98-278, 98 Stat. 173β175 | |||
Lady Bird Johnson | May 8, 1984 | P.L. 98-278, 98 Stat. 173β175 | |||
Elie Wiesel | May 8, 1984 | P.L. 98-278, 98 Stat. 173β175 | |||
Roy Wilkins | May 17, 1984 | P.L. 98-285, 98 Stat. 186 | |||
George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin | August 9, 1985 | P.L. 99-86, 99 Stat. 288β289 | |||
Natan Sharansky and Avital Shcharansky | May 13, 1986 | P.L. 99-298, 100 Stat. 432β433 | |||
Harry Chapin | May 20, 1986 | P.L. 99-311, 100 Stat. 464 | |||
Aaron Copland | September 23, 1986 | P.L. 99-418, Stat. 952β953 | |||
Mary Lasker | December 24, 1987 | Pub.L. 100β210, 101 Stat. 1441 |
|||
Jesse Owens | September 20, 1988 | Pub.L. 100β437, 102 Stat. 1717 |
|||
Andrew Wyeth | November 9, 1988 | Pub.L. 100β639, 102 Stat. 3331β3332 |
|||
Laurance Rockefeller | May 17, 1990 | Pub.L. 101β296, 104 Stat. 197β199 |
|||
General Matthew Ridgway | November 5, 1990 | Pub.L. 101β510, 104 Stat. 1720β1721 |
|||
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf | April 23, 1991 | Pub.L. 102β32, 105 Stat. 175β176 |
|||
General Colin Powell | April 23, 1991 | Pub.L. 102β33, 105 Stat. 177β178 |
|||
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson | November 2, 1994 | Pub.L. 103β457, 108 Stat. 4799β4800 |
|||
Ruth Graham and Billy Graham | February 13, 1996 | Pub.L. 104β111, 110 Stat. 772β773 |
|||
Frank Sinatra | May 14, 1997 | Pub.L. 105β14, 111 Stat. 32β33 |
|||
Mother Teresa | June 2, 1997 | Pub.L. 105β16, 111 Stat. 35β36 |
|||
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I | October 6, 1997 | Pub.L. 105β51, 111 Stat. 117-1171 |
|||
Nelson Mandela | July 29, 1998 | Pub.L. 105β215, 112 Stat. 895β896 |
|||
Little Rock Nine | October 21, 1998 | Pub.L. 105β277, 112 Stat. 2681-597 |
"To Jean Brown Trickey, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, and Jefferson Thoma...in recognition of the selfless heroism such individuals exhibited and the pain they suffered in the cause of civil rights by integrating Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas." β P.L. 105-277 | ||
Gerald Ford and Betty Ford | October 21, 1998 | Pub.L. 105β277, 112 Stat. 2681-598 |
"In recognition of their dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the United States." β P.L. 105-277 | ||
Rosa Parks | May 4, 1999 | Pub.L. 106β26, 113 Stat. 50β51 |
Parks defied unjust racial segregation laws on a public transit bus and thus sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, an early victory of the American Civil Rights Movement. | ||
Theodore Hesburgh | December 9, 1999 | Pub.L. 106β153, 113 Stat. 1733β1734 |
|||
John Joseph O'Connor | March 3, 2000 | Pub.L. 106β175, 114 Stat. 20β21 |
"To John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, in recognition of his accomplishments as a priest, a chaplain, and a humanitarian." β P.L. 106-175 | ||
Charles Schulz | June 20, 2000 | Pub.L. 106β225, 114 Stat. 457β458 |
"Our country owes Charles Schulz a great deal. His comic art has changed American culture and brightened the lives of millions of Americans. This ceremony today offers one tangible way for our country to express thanks to a truly great American." β United States Senator Dianne Feinstein, sponsor of the bill.[17] | ||
Pope John Paul II | July 27, 2000 | Pub.L. 106β250, 114 Stat. 622β623 |
Speaker of the House of Representatives Dennis Hastert and Representative John Joseph Moakley led a delegation from the U.S. Congress to bring Pope John Paul II the Congressional Gold Medal on January 8, 2001.[18] | ||
Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan | July 27, 2000 | Pub.L. 106β251, 114 Stat. 624β625 |
"I am sure that each and every one of you have your own special memory of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. I know I do. Many Americans remember how the Reagan's (sic) sparked a renewal of hope and optimism in a nation that was beginning to lose faith in the American dream. This renewed patriotism will always remain one of their most enduring legacies. Ronald and Nancy Reagan shared a remarkable grace, a rare charm that set both the American public and world leaders at lease." β U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, Republican of Nevada, statement made at award ceremony at Rotunda on Capitol Hill.[19] | ||
Navajo Code Talkers | December 21, 2000 | Pub.L. 106β554, 114 Stat. 2763 |
"Today, we marked a moment of shared history and shared victory. We recall a story that all Americans can celebrate and every America should know. It is a story of ancient people called to serve in a modern war. It is a story of one unbreakable oral code of the Second World War, messages travelling by field radio on Iwo Jima in the very language heard across the Colorado plateau centuries ago." β statement by President George W. Bush when presenting the award on July 26, 2001 at the Capitol Rotunda to four of the five living original 29 American Navajo code talkers, and relatives of the 24 others.[20] A gold medal was authorized for each of the original 29 Navajo code talkers or a surviving family member. Silver medals were authorized for anyone who qualified as a Navajo code talker (300+), or a surviving family member. |
||
General Hugh Shelton | January 16, 2002 | Pub.L. 107β127, 115 Stat. 2405β2406 |
"Throughout his 38 years of service to his country, his ascent through the ranks of the Army, two tours in Vietnam and duty in Operation Desert Storm, Gen. Shelton has carried with him the North Carolina values of service, sacrifice, love of family, faith in God and devotion to country." β U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, who helped write the legislation honoring Shelton.[21] | ||
British Prime Minister Tony Blair | July 18, 2003 | Pub.L. 108β60, 117, Stat. 862β863 |
"America has many allies, but as we have seen in recent months, we can count on Great Britain to fulfill the duties of a true friend in tough times. I applaud Tony Blair's extraordinary leadership and his continued support of the United States." β U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, sponsor of the bill in the United States House of Representatives.[22] | ||
Jackie Robinson | October 29, 2003 | Pub.L. 108β101, 117 Stat. 1195β1197 |
"His story is one that shows what one person can do to hold America to account to its founding promise of freedom and equality. It's a lesson for people coming up to see. One person can make a big difference in setting the tone of this country." β President George W. Bush, on presenting the award to Robinson's widow Rachel Robinson.[23] | ||
Dr. Dorothy Height | December 6, 2003 | Pub.L. 108β162, 117 Stat. 2017 |
"She's a woman of enormous accomplishment. She's a friend of first ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Rodham Clinton. She's known every president since Dwight David Eisenhower. She's told every president what she thinks since Dwight David Eisenhower. Truth of the matter is, she was the giant of the civil rights movement." β President George W. Bush, on presenting Height with the award.[24] | ||
Joseph A. DeLaine, Harry & Eliza Briggs, and Levi Pearson | December 15, 2003 | Pub.L. 108β180, 117 Stat. 2645β2647 |
The four filed lawsuits in South Carolina which helped lead to Brown v. Board of Education. "These were ordinary citizens who did an extraordinary thing. Their courage and commitment to fight for a better education for their children in Clarendon County, South Carolina, has benefited generations of children nationwide." β Jim Clyburn, Democratic Congressman, helped push the legislation through along with Democratic Senator Ernest Hollings, both of South Carolina.[25] | ||
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King | October 25, 2004 | Pub.L. 108β368, 118 Stat. 1746-1748 |
"Dr. King had a dream of peace and equality and dedicated his life to achieving that dream. Throughout his brief but remarkable life, Dr. King stood for the causes of freedom, justice and equality." β Carl Levin, Democratic Senator from Michigan, pushed through bill in United States Senate.[26] | ||
Tuskegee Airmen | April 11, 2006 | Pub.L. 109β213, 120 Stat. 322-325 |
"The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of 994 African American pilots who gained fame during WWII for their heroism escorting American bombers in raids over Europe and North Africa. Their distinguished service is credited with influencing President Truman to desegregate the U.S. military." β Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Press Release.[27] A single gold medal was struck, to be retained by the Smithsonian Institution. |
||
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso | September 27, 2006 | Pub.L. 109β287, 120 Stat. 1231 | In recognition of the Dalai Lama's: "many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights and religious understanding". β (Pub.L. 109-287)[28] | ||
Byron Nelson | October 16, 2006 | Pub.L. 109β357, 120 Stat. 2044 | "The Congressional Gold Medal is given to individuals who exemplify the American spirit by serving their community and helping those less fortunate, which is what Byron Nelson devoted his life to doing. The lives of countless Americans were touched because of the compassion, dedication and generosity of this great Texan." β John Cornyn, Republican Senator from Texas.[29] | ||
Dr. Norman Borlaug | December 6, 2006 | Pub.L. 109β395 120 Stat. 2708 | "The most fitting tribute we can offer this good man is to renew ourselves to his life's work, and lead a second Green Revolution that feeds the world, and today we'll make a pledge to do so." β President George W. Bush, statement at Capitol Rotunda ceremony.[30] | ||
Dr. Michael E. DeBakey | October 2, 2007 | Pub.L. 110β95 121 Stat. 1008 |
"Dr. DeBakeyβs medical advances have contributed so much to our country and the world. Not only did he perfect the heart transplant procedure which has saved so many lives, but he also invented the M.A.S.H. unit. As a veteran of World War II, he saw our young men dying on the battlefield and was determined to improve medical care to save lives. Dr. DeBakey will receive the Congressional Gold Medal for these lasting contributions." β Kay Bailey Hutchison Republican Senator who introduced the legislation.[31] | ||
Aung San Suu Kyi | May 5, 2008 | Pub.L. 110β209 122 Stat. 721 | "This is a well-deserved honor for a remarkable woman who has led the struggle for freedom and democracy in her country". β Mitch McConnell, then-leader of Republican United States Senators and sponsor of effort to award the medal to Suu Kyi.[32] | ||
Constantino Brumidi | July 1, 2008 | Pub.L. 110β259 122 Stat. 2430 |
Presented on July 11, 2012 (posthumously). "'An answer to a prayer' is how the curator for the Architect of the Capitol has described Brumid's arrival in this city at the end of 1854. And rightly so...today the Capitol stands, in my view, as the finest gallery of art in the country. The art here doesn't sit idle on display - every day, it summons the building to life and replenishes the soul of the Congress." β John Boehner, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, excerpt of remarks made at presentation ceremony at the Rayburn Room of the Capitol[33] | ||
Edward William Brooke III | July 1, 2008 | Pub.L. 110β260 122 Stat. 2433 |
"In recognition of his unprecedented and enduring service to our Nation." β P.L. 110-260 | ||
Native American code talkers | October 15, 2008 | Pub.L. 110β420 122 Stat. 4774 |
To recognize all Native American code talkers not previously awarded on December 21, 2000, a gold medal of individual design to be struck for every tribe that had members who were code talkers in WWI and WWII. The gold medal representing the tribe to be retained by the Smithsonian Institution, with silver duplicates to each individual code talker. On November 20, 2013, at a ceremony held at Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, 25 tribes were honored with medals, with an additional 8 tribes honored whose medals had not yet been struck, for a total of 33 tribes that have been so far identified.[34] |
See Code Talker Medals | |
Women Airforce Service Pilots | July 1, 2009 | Pub.L. 111β40 123 Stat. 1958 |
"Their motives for wanting to fly airplanes all those years ago wasn't for fame or glory or recognition. They simply had a passion to take what gifts they had and use them to help defend not only America, but the entire free world, from tyranny. And they let no one get in their way." β Lt. Col. Nicole Malachowski, first female pilot in the USAF Thunderbirds, remarks made at presentation ceremony on March 10, 2010 in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.[35] A single gold medal was struck, to be retained by the Smithsonian Institution. At the ceremony, every attending WASP and a family member of a deceased WASP received a bronze duplicate (bronze duplicates are typically made available for sale through the U.S. Mint) financed through donations[36] |
||
Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr. |
August 7, 2009 | Pub.L. 111β44 123 Stat. 1966 |
In recognition of their significant contributions to society. "We stand on the shoulders of the extraordinary men we recognize today...Those of us who have had the privilege to fly in space followed the trail they forged...When, 50 years ago this year, President Kennedy challenged the nation to reach the moon, to 'take longer strides' toward a 'great new American enterprise,' these men were the human face of those words...From Mercury and Gemini, on through our landings on the Moon in the Apollo Program, their actions unfolded the will of a nation for the greater achievement of humankind." β Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Administrator of NASA, excerpt of remarks made at presentation ceremony November 16, 2011 at the Rotunda on Capitol Hill.[37] |
||
Arnold Palmer | September 30, 2009 | Pub.L. 111β65 123 Stat. 2003 |
In recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship. "Arnold Palmer is a legend both on and off the golf course...His impact on players, tournaments, fans, sponsors, sports television, volunteers and perhaps most importantly on communities where he worked, lived and competed cannot be measured but is deeply felt and will continue have a tremendous impact for generations." β PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem[38] |
||
Muhammad Yunus | October 5, 2010 | Pub.L. 111β253 124 Stat. 2635 |
"Professor Yunus set out to do what may be the biggest thing of all, and that is liberating people to seek a better life. And not just any people, but men and women who had only known misery, who had been told they were no good." β John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives, excerpt of remarks made at presentation ceremony April 17, 2013 at the Rotunda on Capitol Hill.[39] | ||
100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service | October 8, 2010 | Pub.L. 111β254 124 Stat. 2637 |
In recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. A single gold medal was struck, and it was first presented collectively at a ceremony at the U.S Capitol Visitor Center on November 2, 2011. The medal will tour various museums in conjunction with further presentation ceremonies and then be put on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution[40] |
||
Montford Point Marines | November 23, 2011 | Pub.L. 112β59 125 Stat. 749 |
In recognition of their personal sacrifice and service to their country. A single gold medal was struck, and was presented collectively on June 27, 2012 in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. The following day, in a ceremony at Marine Barracks, every attending Montford Point Marine and a family member of a deceased Montford Point Marine was presented with a bronze duplicate (bronze duplicates are typically available for sale through the U.S. Mint) financed through donations.[41] |
||
In honor of the men and women who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 | December 23, 2011 | Pub.L. 112β76 125 Stat. 1275 |
Three gold medals to be struck, one medal shall be given to each of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, and the Pentagon Memorial at the Pentagon, with the understanding that each medal is to be put on permanent, appropriate display. |
|
|
Raoul Wallenberg | July 26, 2012 | Pub.L. 112β148 126 Stat. 1140 |
"In recognition of his achievements and heroic actions during the Holocaust." β P.L. 112-148 | File:Raoul Wallenberg Congressional Gold Medal.pdf | |
Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley | May 24, 2013 | Pub.L. 113β11 | Congressional gold medal award to victims of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing (H.R. 360; 113th Congress) | ||
First Special Service Force | July 12, 2013 | Pub.L. 113β16 | Granted collectively in recognition of its superior service during World War II.[42] | ||
Members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders | May 23, 2014 | Pub.L. 113β106 | "To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the βDoolittle Tokyo Raidersβ, for outstanding heroism, valor, skill, and service to the United States in conducting the bombings of Tokyo." | ||
American Flying aces | May 23, 2014 | Pub.L. 113β105 | "To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the American Fighter Aces, collectively, in recognition of their heroic military service and defense of our country's freedom throughout the history of aviation warfare." | ||
Members of the Civil Air Patrol | May 30, 2014 | Pub.L. 113β108 | Honoring the services of over 200,000 Civil Air Patrol volunteers during World War II.[43][44] | ||
President of the State of Israel Shimon Peres | June 9, 2014 | Pub.L. 113β114 | "Shimon Peres has honorably served Israel for over 70 years, during which he has significantly contributed to United States interests and has played a pivotal role in forging the strong and unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel." [45] | ||
"Monuments Men" | June 9, 2014 | Pub.L. 113β116 | "In recognition of their heroic role in the preservation, protection, and restitution of monuments, works of art, and artifacts of cultural importance during and following World War II." | ||
65th Infantry Regiment | June 10, 2014 | Pub.L. 113β120 | The 65th Infantry is the first Hispanic military unit, and the first unit of the Korean War, to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.[46] | ||
Jack Nicklaus | December 16, 2014 | Pub.L. 113β210 | http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2015/03/24/jack-nicklaus-congressional-gold-medal/70344756/ | ||
Selma to Montgomery marchers | March 7, 2015 | Pub.L. 114β5 | "To the Foot Soldiers who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March in March of 1965, which served as a catalyst for the Voting Rights Act of 1965." |
See also
- Congressional Silver Medal
- Congressional Bronze Medal
- Awards and decorations of the United States government
Notes
- β It is unclear if the gold version is considered a Congressional Gold Medal as this award is not listed on the artandhistory.house.gov webpage for recipients, nor is it listed in the Congressional Research Service report (see "Sources"). Compare to 1930 awards of 1st Byrd Expedition.
References
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llac&fileName=010/llac010.db&recNum=312
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Mrs. Richard Aldrich and Anna Bouligny on U.S. Mint H.I.P. Pocket Change website Retrieved 2012-09-20
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Surviving Veterans of the War Between the States on US Mint H.I.P Pocket Change website Retrieved 2012-09-21
- β Marian Anderson on US Mint H.I.P Pocket Change website Retrieved 2012-09-21
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Congressional Gold Medal granted to First Special Service Force
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- β Bill Text 113th Congress (2013-2014)
- β Obama honors Puerto Rican Infantry Regiment with Congressional Gold Medal, Washington Post, June 10, 2014.
Sources
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Search for bills and laws.