Bishop Tutu Receives Medal of Freedom From Obama

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is honoured with the highest civilian award in the United States

August 2009 marked the time Archbishop Desmond Tutu will be travelling to Washington DC to accept the Medal of Freedom Award from President Barack Obama. Tutu is due to receive the award on 12 August 2009 for his contribution to world peace.

On this honour Tutu said: “I am overwhelmed, deeply honoured, humbled and I am something that I don’t often get to be; speechless.”

“As always, I am so aware that it’s really given to me representatively. I could not be who I have been without the millions of people who honoured me by agreeing for me to be their leader. I am standing out only because they are carrying me on their shoulders,” he humbly continued.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a decoration bestowed by the President of the United States and is the highest civilian award in the United States.

It is designed to recognise individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavours."

The award is not limited to United States citizens, and while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform.

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