Since President John F. Kennedy established the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963, approximately 650 individuals and organizations have received it.

Presidents Ranked by Number of Honorees

Barack Obama (2009–2017)

123 Medals

Notable Recipients: Ellen DeGeneres, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Biden, Maya Angelou.

Known for honoring many achievers in arts, sports, science, and public service.

Bill Clinton (1993–2001)

113 Medals

Notable Recipients: Rosa Parks, John F. Kennedy (posthumously), Nelson Mandela, Aretha Franklin.

Focused on civil rights, global leadership, and cultural icons.

George W. Bush (2001–2009)

85 Medals

Notable Recipients: Pope John Paul II, Muhammad Ali, Sandra Day O’Connor, Tony Blair.

Emphasized military leaders, religious figures, and international allies.

Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)

36 Medals

Notable Recipients: Mother Teresa, Frank Sinatra, James Stewart, Elie Wiesel.

Often honored individuals from the arts and humanitarian causes.

Donald Trump (2017–2021)

24 Medals

Notable Recipients: Rush Limbaugh, Jim Jordan, Tiger Woods.

Focused on athletes, conservative figures, and military members.

John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)

16 Medals (Posthumously Awarded in 1963)

Notable Recipients: Helen Keller, Robert Frost, John Steinbeck.Established the modern version of the Medal of Freedom.

Richard Nixon (1969–1974)

15 Medals

Notable Recipients: Duke Ellington, Bob Hope, Walt Disney.Focused on cultural and entertainment figures.

Gerald Ford (1974–1977)

11 Medals

Notable Recipients: Walt Disney (posthumously), Joe DiMaggio, Betty Ford. Emphasized cultural icons and personal connections.

Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)

6 Medals

Notable Recipients: Ansel Adams, Alexander Calder.Focused on contributions to the arts and environment.

Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)

5 Medals

Notable Recipients: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Norman Rockwell.Honored leaders and artists significant to his presidency.

The Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., has been the site of state funerals or memorial services for several U.S. presidents. As of 2024, four presidents have had their funerals or memorial services held there:

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1969)

Date: March 31, 1969.

Details: A memorial service was held at the National Cathedral after Eisenhower's death on March 28, 1969. His body was later interred in Abilene, Kansas.

Eisenhower’s service marked the first state funeral held at the National Cathedral.

Ronald Reagan (2004)

Date: June 11, 2004.

Details: Reagan’s state funeral service was held at the National Cathedral, attended by numerous world leaders, including British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (via a prerecorded message) and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Gerald R. Ford (2007)

Date: January 2, 2007.

Details: Ford’s state funeral included a service at the National Cathedral, attended by then-President George W. Bush, former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, as well as other dignitaries.

George H.W. Bush (2018)

Date: December 5, 2018.

Details: The state funeral for George H.W. Bush featured tributes from world leaders and U.S. presidents, including his son, President George W. Bush.

Other Notable Memorial Services:

Woodrow Wilson (1924): Though Wilson's state funeral occurred elsewhere, he is the only president buried at the National Cathedral.

Lyndon B. Johnson (1973): A memorial service was held at the National Cathedral following his state funeral in Texas.