U.S. Medal of Freedom

Presidential Medal of Freedom

. It is designed to recognize 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 endeavors."

George Bush to award John Howard the US freedom medal

JOHN Howard will be awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington next week, in one of George W Bush's final acts as president.

Mr Bush, who described the former Prime Minister as "a man of steel" during their warm relationship and cooperation through the Coalition of Willing in Iraq, said today through a spokeswoman that Mr Howard was being honoured for his efforts to promote democracy, human rights and peace abroad.

The award is the highest civilian decoration of the United States and was first established by former US President Harry S Truman in 1945 and largely focused on wartime service.

It was re-established by John F. Kennedy and the criteria for the award was broadened to include meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the US, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavours.

Previous recipients of the award included boxer Muhammad Ali and Apollo 11 astronauts Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins.

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