Freedoms Foundation

Awards > Distinguished Award Recipients

The Distinguished Award is Freedoms Foundation’s most prestigious award. With this award the Foundation recognizes exceptional individuals and organizations that exemplify the best of the American Spirit and stand out as good citizens, role models and modern day heroes to our nation’s youth. Recipients inspire young Americans to keep our nation’s values alive and to believe that they can effect positive change in the world around them.

Each year since 1949, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge has honored those whose deeds merit the applause of all who cherish the highest standards of patriotic citizenship. The Distinguished Awards program was generously endowed in 1992 by Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., and Mr. Robert B. Pamplin, Sr., who recognized the importance of honoring outstanding Americans as a way to encourage others.

In addition to awards to American citizens, the Foundation may present the American Friendship Medal to non-Americans, who, through their own example, encourage others in their pursuit of liberty. 

Each Distinguished Award recipient receives a cherry plaque bearing the George Washington Honor Medal and their citation etched in brass. In addition, individual recipients receive a one and a half inch solid gold replica of the George Washington Honor Medal on a satin neck ribbon.

The Distinguished Award recipients are chosen by an independent National Awards Jury comprised of state supreme court justices and executive officers of national patriotic, educational and service organizations and from recommendations from our Volunteer Chapters and Board of Directors. Guidelines for selection are based on the American Credo and Bill of Responsibilities.

Distinguished Award Recipients

1952 - 1998

1998
CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM REHNQUIST THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
 
1997
SENATOR BOB DOLE AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL
ELIZABETH DOLE NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
 
1996
DICK CHENEY AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL
LYNNE V. CHENEY NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
THOMAS AND DOROTHY LEAVEY FOUNDATION PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
 

PAMPLIN DISTINGUISHED AWARD RECIPIENTS

 
1994
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
HUGH O'BRIAN PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
J. STEVEN YOUNG  FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
 
1993
ROGER MILLIKEN FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
GENE RODDENBERRY (Deceased) NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
GEN. H. NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
USO AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
 

DISTINGUISHED AWARD RECIPIENTS

 
1990
AMVETS, AMVETS AUXILIARY, AMVETS NATIONAL SERVICE FOUNDATION AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
DAVID F. DIXON PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
SCOTT T. WELCH FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
 
1989
JAIME ESCALANTE AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
DR. ROBERT B. PAMPLIN, JR. FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
PATRICK F. TAYLOR NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
VFW AUXILIARY AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
 
1988-1987
GENERAL MOTORS AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL*
DOROTHY LEAVEY  PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL
NANCY REAGAN FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD*
THE AMERICAN LEGION AND AUXILIARY AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
 
1986
JULIUS ERVING FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD*
EUGENE LANG FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
DEAN S. LESHER NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
HON. GEORGE SCHULTZ  AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL
HON. MARGARET THATCHER AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP MEDAL
DAVID L. WOLPER NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL
 
1985
SARAH CALDWELL AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
HON. HENRY CISNEROS FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
DR. OWEN B. KIERNAN NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL
MOBIL CORPORATION PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
HON. DAVID D. NEWSON AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL*
HON. RICHARD W. RILEY NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
 
1984
MAYOR TOM BRADLEY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
TREVOR FERRELL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
TOMMY JOHN NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
HON. MIKE MANSFIELD AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL*
PETER UEBERROTH PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
 
1983
WALTER CRONKITE  NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL*
ENTERPRISE SQUARE, USA NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL
LEE IACOCCA PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
THOMAS W. LANDRY AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
SALLY RIDE FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
ROBERT S. STRAUSS AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL
LECH WALESA AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP MEDAL
WILLIAM H. WEBSTER NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
 
1982
CHIEF JUSTICE WARREN BURGER THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
PHILIP HABIB AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL 
HON. JEANE C. KIRKPATRICK NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
HON. EDWARD P. SEAGA AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP MEDAL
V.J. SKUTT PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
DAVID M. WINFIELD NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL*
 
1981
ARTHUR ASHE NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
PEARL BAILEY AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL*
SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
ROD MCKUEN AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
ANWAR SADAT AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP MEDAL
BEVERLY SILLS AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
SPECIAL OLYMPICS NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL
ROGER STAUBACH FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
 
1980
ALISTAIR COOKE AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
ALEXANDER M. HAIG AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
DANIEL MOYNIHAN AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL*
KENNETH D. TAYLOR AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP MEDAL
R. E. "TED" TURNER PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
FRED WARING NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
 
1979
DR. ALTON OCHSNER THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
SHIRLEY TEMPLE BLACK AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
* not presented  
CARL KARCHER PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
DR. MICHAEL MARCASE AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP MEDAL
 
1978
MAMIE DOUD EISENHOWER  AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
HUBERT H. HUMPHREY DISTINGUISHED STATESMAN MEDAL
J. WILLARD MARRIOTT, SR. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
CAPT. EUGENE B. MCDANIEL AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
BARBARA JORDAN NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL
JOSEPH MAXWELL CLELAND AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
 
1977
LOWELL THOMAS THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
HELEN HAYES AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
DR. DIXY LEE RAY AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
HON. CLAY SMOTHERS  AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
DOUGLAS BANDOW FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
ROBERT MOSES NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL
DR. MILTON FRIEDMAN PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
 
1976
GENE AUTRY AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
ARTHUR FIEDLER AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
AMERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD FOUNDATION, INC.
PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
AXEL SPRINGER AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP MEDAL
 
1975
ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP MEDAL
RANDY STEFFEN AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
REV. DONALD E. MOWERY FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
SISTER MARY VIRGINIA GEIGER AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
LE ROY FOSTER, JR. AND VICKIE JONES NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
CAROLINE C. MYERS NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1974
MARY MULLEN NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
DR. KENNETH MCFARLAND FREE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
FRANK E. HARRIS AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
HUGH O'BRIAN FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
DR. GEORGE S. BENSON NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
HON. MARTIN DEVRIES NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1973
JOHN WAYNE THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
WILLIAM A. SMITH AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
EARL HAMNER, JR.  AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
GORDON SINCLAIR AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP MEDAL
GEORGE FOREMAN  FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
JOY EILERS NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
THOMAS LAKEN AND MARK BUTE  NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1972
DONALD W. HURRELBRINK THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
SOL FEINSTONE AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
REV. MELVIN FLOYD  AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
JAMES W. WALTER FREE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
ARMISTEAD MAUPIN, JR. FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
GEORGE MARDIKIAN NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1971
GEN. OMAR N. BRADLEY  THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
HON. CLARE BOOTH LUCE  AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL
DR. HENRY VISCARDI, JR. AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
W. CLEMENT STONE FREE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
DR. GEORGE C. ROCHE, III FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
ALFRED J. BARRAN FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
ALBERT M. ETTINGER FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
DENISE EVERS NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
WALTER TROHAN  NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1970
BILL PIERSON THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
DR. ASA T. SPAULDING FREE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
HON. JOHN W. MCCORMACK AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
VICTOR RIESEL AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
MAJ. WESLEY V. GEARY, USA AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
JOHN WAYNE NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
H. ROSS PEROT FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
FRANK L. RIZZO NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
MSGT JOSEPH J. PFISTER, ANGUS NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
JAMES E. SELF NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1969
MICHAEL LEVESQUE THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
HON. ELLESWORTH BUNKER AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL
HON. HENRY CABOT LODGE AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL
MAJ. JAMES N. ROWE, USA AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
REV. RALPH W. BEITING AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
ZENON C. R. HANSEN FREE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
RED SKELTON  NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
ANITA BRYANT FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
ERIC HOFFER FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
PAUL HARVEY FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
JENKIN LLOYD JONES  FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
CHARLES L. GOULD NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
EUGENE ORMANDY NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
ART LINKLETTER NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
KATE SMITH NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
DR. WERNHER VON BRAUN NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
DE WITT WALLACE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
NASA SPECIAL AWARD
 
1968
GEN. HAROLD K. JOHNSON THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
DR. LEON H. SULLIVAN AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL
J. HOWARD WOOD FREE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
STAN MUSIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
LAWRENCE WELK NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
GEORGE E. FOREMAN  NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
LUKE GREENE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
MRS. CHESTER H. LEHMAN NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
MARGARET MOORE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
GEORGE PUTNAM NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
ALICE WIDENER NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1967
FRANK J. MRKVA THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
HON. JAMES F. BYRNES AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL
WALTER AND CORDELIA KNOTT  FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
DR. KENNETH MCFARLAND FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
DR. WILLIAM B. WALSH FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
ERNEST CRAIN NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
SHERIFF DONALD S. GENUNG NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
LTC. SAMUEL R. LOBODA, USA  NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
KEN AND JEANADELE MAGNER NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
MARTHA RAYE NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
 
1966
PFC HIRAM D. STRICKLAND, USA THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
BOB HOPE NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL
MILTON CANIFF FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
WILLIAM H. SPURGEON FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
RAYMOND BURR NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
HAROLD C. MCCLELLAN NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
DR. JOSEPH O'MALLEY  NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1965
JOSEPH A. BRUNTON, JR. AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL
CAPT. ROGER H. C. DONLON FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
DR. JAMES W. TURPIN FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
MATTIE CONEY NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
MARIE DAVIE HUNT NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
MAIL CALL VIETNAM NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
MG H. NICKERSON, JR.  NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
ALFRED P. SLOAN, JR. FREE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL
 
1964
DE WITT AND LILA WALLACE THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
DR. IRVING R. MELBO SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
GENE E. BRADLEY  SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
ERIC SLOANE SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
GEN. THOMAS S. POWER, USAF NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
REV. JAMES H. SMYTHE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
TOURNAMENT OF ROSES ASSOCIATION NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1963
JOHN H. GLENN, JR. THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
LAURIS NORISTAD SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
MARGARET LONG ARNOLD NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
VIRGIL M. NEWTON, JR. NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
RUSSELL P. REEDER, JR. NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
SHARON SUE ROUNDTREE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
ELFRIEDA FREEMAN TICE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD
 
1962
WALT DISNEY THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
ARCH N. BOOTH SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
DR. PERRY E. GRESHAM SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
DR. WALTER KERR SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
CHRISTIAN SANDERSON SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
GEORGE TODT SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
 
1961
HON. J. EDGAR HOOVER THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
 
1960
ARTHUR GODFREY SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
DAVE GARROWAY SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
MR. & MRS. JAMES MCCRORRY WILLSON SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
DAVID TAYLOR SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
FRANK TAIT SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
CDR. PAUL A. TERRY, USN SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
 
1959
HON. JOHN L. MCCLELLAN  THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
HON. WILBER M. BRUCKER SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
CDR. WILLIAM R. ANDERSON, USN SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
WARD BOND SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
LCDR. DONALD M. HANSON, USN SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
ARMAND PENHA SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
BOB HOPE SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
ANN HAWKES HUTTON SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
HON. ELWOOD FOUTS SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
DR. IAN STUART SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
HON. CARLOS P. ROMULO  FOREIGN FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
DR. SYNGMAN RHEE, KOREA FOREIGN FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
PRES. CHIANG KAI-SHEK,  REPUBLIC OF CHINA FOREIGN FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
 
1958
DR. ARTHUR A. SCHUCK THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
 
1957
HON. HERBERT HOOVER THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
REV. FREDERICK BROWN HARRIS SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
LTG. LEWIS B. HERSHEY SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
GEN. CURTIS E. LEMAY SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
CHARLES STEWART MOTT SPECIAL FREEDOM LEADERSHIP AWARD
 
1956
HON. J. EDGAR HOOVER THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD
DISNEYLAND, INC.  SPECIAL AWARD
GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS  SPECIAL AWARD
DR. LAWRENCE L. LOCKLEY SPECIAL AWARD
MRS. HELEN LYNCH SPECIAL AWARD
COL. JOHN H. SHENKEL SPECIAL AWARD
WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES, INC. SPECIAL AWARD
 
1955
E. I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY SPECIAL AWARD
KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL  SPECIAL AWARD
NATIONAL SOCIETY D.A.V.  SPECIAL AWARD
OFFICE OF ARMED FORCES INFORMATION AND EDUCATION SPECIAL AWARD
DAVID LAWRENCE FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
 
1954
REV. BILL GRAHAM SPECIAL AWARD
ST. JOHN 'S UNIVERSITY SPECIAL AWARD
 
1953
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA  SPECIAL AWARD
NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE SCREEN SPECIAL AWARD
THE READER'S DIGEST SPECIAL AWARD
 
1952
AMERICAN BROADCASTING CO., INC. SPECIAL AWARD
THE AMERICAN LEGION SPECIAL AWARD
ARMED FORCES INFORMATION & EDUCATION DIVISION SPECIAL AWARD
COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC. SPECIAL AWARD
NATIONAL BROADCASTING CO., INC.  SPECIAL AWARD
NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR A FREE EUROPE SPECIAL AWARD
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY  SPECIAL AWARD

CONTRIBUTIONS REFLECTED BY THE DISTINGUISHED AWARDS

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AWARD: Presented for outstanding achievement over a period of years, reflecting the high ideals of human dignity and fundamental principles of a free society. Considered the Foundation’s highest award.

AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP MEDAL: Presented to a non-American who has made exceptional contributions on behalf of peace, freedom and democracy.

AMERICAN STATESMAN MEDAL: Presented for extraordinary diplomatic service on behalf of his/her fellow citizens.

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE EXEMPLAR MEDAL: Presented to a leading exponent of the private enterprise system who demonstrates the American businessperson’s dedication to the well-being of his/her fellow citizens.

NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL: Presented for outstanding achievements in more than one field of endeavor.

AMERICAN EXEMPLAR MEDAL: Presented for outstanding achievement in a particular field over a period of years.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION MEDAL: Presented for special expression or actions which demonstrate a love of country.

AMERICAN PATRIOTS MEDAL: Presented for service to the country in promoting the ideals of the American way of life.

FREEDOM LEADERSHIP MEDAL: Presented for voluntary actions which demonstrate exceptional individual achievement and serve as a role model for all Americans.

* Note: These Awards are not necessarily conferred annually.

To teach, support, and foster the principles and obligations of Freedom
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge