President Obama says all the winners had a profound impact on his life . The medal is `` one more accolade of a life well lived , '' Obama says . It was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy . The Medal of Freedom is the nation 's highest civilian honor . It was first awarded in 1961 to former U.S. president John F. Kennedy and has been given annually since then by outgoing presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
President Obama says all the winners had a profound impact on his life . The medal is `` one more accolade of a life well lived , '' Obama says . The Medal of Freedom is the nation 's highest civilian honor . It was first awarded in 1961 to former U.S. president John F. Kennedy and has been given annually since then by outgoing presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.