Created by
United States Army, American, founded 1775
Issued by
President Bush, George H. W., American, born 1924
Received by
General Powell, Colin L., American, 1937 - 2021
Date
July 3, 1991
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)
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.
Place collected
McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
regalia
medals
Topic
Government
Men
Military
Persian Gulf War, 1991
Politics
U.S. History, 1969-2001
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell
Object number
A2022.101.1.5.1
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5cb0aa60b-638e-4bc6-b084-e6b74bd8ce8b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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