Presidential Medal of Freedom

Object Details

Created by

United States Army, American, founded 1775

Issued by

President George H. W. Bush, American, born 1924

Received by

General Colin L. Powell, American, 1937 - 2021

Caption

General Colin Powell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on July 3, 1991, by President George H. W. Bush. Along with the Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States. General Powell was awarded a second Presidential Medal of Freedom, with distinction, in 1993.

Description

A Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President George H.W. Bush to General Colin L. Powell, July 3, 1991. This multicolored medal is a layered five-point gold star designed by the US Army’s Institute of Heraldry. The front of the star is painted with white enamel and overlays the red enameled golden pentagon below it, which is ringed by gold wingspread eagles. The round center of the star has a dark blue enamel face with thirteen gold stars, as seen on the Great Seal of the United States. On the reverse of the medal embossed in a circle of large letters is: [PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM]. At the center is engraved: [GENERAL / COLIN L. POWELL, USA / JULY 3, 1991 / 638]. The medal is typically worn around the neck by its white bordered navy-blue ribbon and is, in addition to the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor of the United States.

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell

July 3, 1991

Object number

A2022.101.1.5.1

Restrictions & Rights

No known copyright restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

Type

regalia

medals

Medium

ink and enamel on gold with rayon

Dimensions

H x W x D: 4 5/16 × 2 3/16 × 3/16 in. (11 × 5.6 × 0.4 cm)

Place collected

McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Awards, Medals, and Insignia

Title

Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to General Colin Powell

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Topic

African American

Government

Men

Military

Persian Gulf War, 1991

Politics

U.S. History, 1969-2001

Record ID

nmaahc_A2022.101.1.5.1

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5cb0aa60b-638e-4bc6-b084-e6b74bd8ce8b