Medal of Freedom

Medal of Freedom
a former name of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
[1940-45, Amer.]

* * *

Medal of Freedom,
= Presidential Medal of Freedom. (Cf.Presidential Medal of Freedom)

* * *

ˌMedal of ˈFreedom noun
the highest award that the US gives to a ↑civilian who has achieved sth very important
 
Culture:
medals [Medal of Freedom medals]
The highest decoration (= award) that can be awarded to a British person is the Victoria Cross (VC), which is given to members of the armed forces ‚for conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy’. It is a bronze cross decorated with a lion and the words ‚For Valour’, which is hung from a crimson ribbon. The Victoria Cross was introduced by Queen ↑Victoria in 1856, during the ↑Crimean War. It is reserved for acts of the greatest courage and is often awarded posthumously (= to a person who died as a result of their brave action).
The highest decoration for members of the public is the George Cross (GC), which is also awarded for bravery in great danger. It is a silver cross decorated with St George and the Dragon and the words ‚For Gallantry’, and is hung from a dark blue ribbon. It was introduced by ↑George VI in 1940.
Other highly valued decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Military Cross and the George Medal. There are also medals for acts of bravery by police officers and by members of the firefighting, lifeboat and coastguard services.
The US also has many medals for military and civilian achievements. The Medal of Honor (MH), often called the Congressional Medal of Honor, is the highest military award and is given for ‚the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty’. It is a star that hangs from a blue ribbon which is decorated with 13 white stars. It was created in 1862 during the Civil War, and by 2004 more than 3 450 had been awarded. Another well-known military medal is the ↑Purple Heart (PH), which is awarded to Americans wounded in wars. George ↑Washington introduced it in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit, and the medal today has a ribbon above a purple heart with Washington’s image on it. Other important military awards include the Distinguished Service Cross and the Bronze Star.
The highest US civilian award is the Presidential Medal of Freedom, established in 1945 as the Medal of Freedom. It was originally for military service, but President ↑Kennedy changed this and also its name. The Congressional Gold Medal is also for civilians. The first was awarded in 1776 to George Washington; in 2003 one was awarded to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The Carnegie Medal, another honour for civilians, is given to people who have saved, or tried to save, somebody’s life. On the medal is a sentence from the Bible: ‚Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Medal of Freedom — bezeichnet zwei hohe zivile Auszeichnungen der Vereinigten Staaten: die Medal of Freedom (1945), verliehen 1945 bis 1963 die Presidential Medal of Freedom, verliehen seit 1963 Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Medal of Freedom — ☆ Medal of Freedom n. a U.S. decoration awarded to civilians for significant aid in prosecuting a war and, since 1963, to civilians or military persons for any of various achievements …   English World dictionary

  • Medal of Freedom — For other uses, see Medal of Freedom. Medal of Freedom Medal with palm device Awarded by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, or the Secr …   Wikipedia

  • Medal of Freedom — a former name of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. [1940 45, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

  • Medal of Freedom (disambiguation) — Medal of Freedom may refer to: Presidential Medal of Freedom Republican Senatorial Medal of Freedom Medal of Freedom established in 1945, replaced in 1963 by the Presidential Medal of Freedom Truman Reagan Medal of Freedom see Victims of… …   Wikipedia

  • Medal of Freedom (1945) — Die Medal of Freedom, 1945–1963 (mit Zweig für Tapferkeit) Die Medal of Freedom ( Freiheitsmedaille ) war in der Zeit nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg neben der Medal for Merit eine der beiden höchsten zivilen Auszeichnungen der Vereinigten Staaten von …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Medal of Freedom — Date: 1945 a United States decoration awarded to civilians for meritorious achievement in any of various fields …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Medal of Freedom — Med′al of Free′dom n. cvs an award by the president of the U.S. for outstanding achievement: the highest civilian decoration …   From formal English to slang

  • Presidential Medal of Freedom — Awarded by …   Wikipedia

  • Presidential Medal of Freedom — Die Freiheitsmedaille des Präsidenten seit 1963, Halsbandorden mit Zubehör: Bandschnalle (oben), kleine Ausführung (links), Anstecknadel (rechts) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”