Medal of Freedom is America 's highest civilian honor . The 16 honored at the ceremony Wednesday afternoon were : . It was created after World War II to honor civilian service during that war . Clinton , Tutu , Poitier , Kennedy , Johnson , O'Connor among others .
Medal of Freedom is America 's highest civilian honor . It was created after World War II to honor civilian service during that war . Clinton , Tutu , Poitier , Kennedy , Johnson , O'Connor among others .