United States Army, American, founded 1775 Search this
Issued by:
President George H. W. Bush, American, born 1924 Search this
Received by:
General Colin L. Powell, American, 1937 - 2021 Search this
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)
Type:
regalia
medals
Place collected:
McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America
Date:
July 3, 1991
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.
