Historical Highlight
Congressional Gold Medal Recipients
About this object On April 23, 2008, Dr. Ellis Debakey formally received the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.
| Recipient(s) | Date of Approval | Public Law | Category | Title/Occupation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington | March 25, 1776 | Continental Congress | Military | General (future President of the United States) | Recognized for his "wise and spirited conduct" in the seige and acquisition of Boston |
| Major General Horatio Gates | November 4, 1777 | Continental Congress | Military | Major General | Recognized for his "brave and successful" efforts in bringing about the surrender of the British Army at Saratoga, New York |
| Major General Anthony Wayne | July 26, 1779 | Continental Congress | Military | Major General | Recognized for his "good conduct, coolness, discipline, and firm intrepidity" in the assault of the enemy's works at Stony Point, New York |
| Major Henry Lee | September 24, 1779 | Continental Congress | Military | Major | To commemorate the skill and bravery he exhibited against the British at Paulus Hook, New Jersey |
| Brigadier General Daniel Morgan | March 9, 1781 | Continental Congress | Military | Brigadier General | Praised for his gallant efforts in South Carolina in 1781 |
| Major General Nathanael Greene | October 29, 1781 | Continental Congress | Military | Major General | Recognized for his "wise, decisive, and magnanimous conduct in the action" of September 8, 1781, "near Eutaw Springs, in South Carolina; in which, with a force inferior in number to that of the enemy, he obtained a most signal victory" |
| John Paul Jones | October 16, 1787 | Continental Congress | Military | Naval Commander | Recognized for his "valor and brilliant services" in capturing the HMS Serapis |
| Captain Thomas Truxtun | March 29, 1800 | 2 Stat. 87 | Military | Captain | Recognized for his "gallant effort during the action between the United States frigate Constellation and the French ship La Vengeance" |
| Commodore Edward Preble | March 3, 1805 | 2 Stat. 346-347 | Military | Commodore | Recognized for his "gallantry and good conduct" in the several attacks on the town, batteries, and naval force of Tripoli Harbor in 1804 |
| Captain Isaac Hull, Captain Stephen Decatur, and Captain Jacob Jones | January 29, 1813 | 2 Stat. 830 | Military | Captain | Recognized for their "gallantry, good conduct, and services" in their respective conflicts with the British frigates the Guerriere and the Macedonian, and sloop-of-war Frolic |
| Captain William Bainbridge | March 3, 1813 | 2 Stat. 831 | Military | Captain | Recognized for his "gallantry, good conduct, and services" in the capture of the British frigate Java, after a "brave and skillful combat" |
| Captain Oliver Hazard Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliott | January 6, 1814 | 3 Stat. 141 | Military | Captain | Recognized for their "decisive and glorious victory gained on Lake Erie" |
| Lieutenant William Burrows and Lieutenant Edward R. McCall | January 6, 1814 | 3 Stat. 141-142 | Military | Lieutenant | Recognized for their "gallantry and good conduct" in the conflict with the British sloop Boxer on September 4, 1813 |
| Captain James Lawrence | January 11, 1814 | 3 Stat. 142 | Military | Captain | Recognized for his "gallantry and good conduct" in the capture of the British vessel of war, the Peacock |
| Captain Thomas MacDonough, Captain Robert Henly, and Lieutenant Stephen Cassin | October 20, 1814 | 3 Stat. 245-246 | Military | Naval Officers | Recognized for the "decisive and splendid victory" gained on Lake Champlain |
| Captain Lewis Warrington | October 21, 1814 | 3 Stat. 246 | Military | Captain | Recognized for his "gallantry and good conduct" in the action with the British brig Epervier |
| Captain Johnson Blakely | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 246-247 | Military | Captain | Recognized for his "gallantry and good conduct" in the action with the British sloop-of-war Reindeer on June 28, 1814 |
| Major General Jacob Brown | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 247 | Military | Major General | Recognized for his "gallantry and good conduct"…"in the successive battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, in Upper Canada, in which British veteran soldiers were beaten and repulsed by equal and inferior numbers" |
| Major General Winfield Scott | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 247 | Military | Major General | Recognized for his "uniform gallantry and good conduct"…"in the successive conflicts of Chippewa and Niagara" |
| Brigadier General Eleazar W. Ripley, Brigadier General James Miller, and Major General Peter B. Porter | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 247 | Military | Naval Officers | Recognized for their "gallantry and good conduct" …"in several conflicts of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie |
| Major General Edmund P. Gaines | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 247 | Military | Major General | Recognized for his "gallantry and good conduct" in defeating the British army at Erie on August 15, 1814 |
| Major General Alexander Macomb | November 3, 1814 | 3 Stat. 247 | Military | Major General | Recognized for his "gallantry and good conduct" in defeating a veteran British army at Plattsburg on September 11, 1814 |
| Major General Andrew Jackson | February 27, 1815 | 3 Stat. 249 | Military | Major General (future President of the United States) | Recognized for his "valor, skill and good conduct," which was displayed against the British army in New Orleans on January 8, 1815 |
| Captain Charles Stewart | February 22, 1816 | 3 Stat. 341 | Military | Captain | Recognized for his "gallantry, good conduct and services" in capturing the British vessels of war, the Cyane and the Levant, after a brave and skillful combat |
| Captain James Biddle | February 22, 1816 | 3 Stat. 341 | Military | Captain | Recognized for his "gallantry" in capturing the British sloop-of-war Penguin, after a brave and skillful combat |
| Major General William Henry Harrison and Governor Isaac Shelby | April 4, 1818 | 3 Stat. 476 | Military | Major General (future President of the United States) and Governor | Recognized for their "gallantry and good behavior"…"in defeating the combined British and Indian forces under Major General Proctor, on the Thames, in Upper Canada, on October 5, 1813, and in capturing the British army with their baggage, camp equipage and artillery" |
| Colonel George Croghan | February 13, 1835 | 4 Stat. 792 | Military | Colonel | Recognized for his "gallantry and good conduct" in the defense of Fort Stephenson in 1813 |
| Major General Zachary Taylor | July 16, 1846 | 9 Stat. 111 | Military | Major General (future President of the United States) | Recognized for his "fortitude, skill, enterprise, and courage," which distinguished the brilliant operations on the Rio Grande |
| Major General Zachary Taylor | March 2, 1847 | 9 Stat. 206 | Military | Major General (future President of the United States) | Recognized for his "fortitude, skill, enterprise, and courage," which distinguished the brilliant operations on the Rio Grande |
| Rescuers of the Officers and Crew of the U.S. Brig Somers | March 3, 1847 | 9 Stat. 208 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Naval Officers and Crew | Ten officers and seamen belonging or attached to the French, British, and Spanish ships-of-war, who on December 10, 1846, gallantly rescued 37 of the officers and crew from the wreck of the United States Brig Somers in Vera Cruz harbor. The records of the United States Mint indicate that 10 gold medals were struck in commemoration of the gallant effort of the Somers |
| Major General Winfield Scott | March 9, 1848 | 9 Stat. 333 | Military | Major General | Recognized for his "uniform gallantry and good conduct"…"conspicuously displayed at the siege and capture of the city of Vera Cruz and castle of San Juan de Ulloa," on March 29, 1847; in the successive battles of Cerro Gordo on April 18, San Antonio and Churubusco on August 19 and 20; in the "victories achieved in front of the city of Mexico" on September 8 and 11-13; and for the capture of the metropolis on September 14, "in which the Mexican troops, greatly superior in numbers, and with every advantage of position, were in every conflict signally defeated by the American arms" |
| Major General Zachary Taylor | May 9, 1848 | 9 Stat. 334-335 | Military | Major General (future President of the United States) | Recognized for his "valor, skill, and good conduct" in the battle of Buena Vista, in "defeating a Mexican army under the command of General Santa Anna of more than four times their number" |
| Commander Duncan N. Ingraham | August 4, 1854 | 10 Stat. 594-595 | Military | Commander | Recognized for his "gallant and judicious conduct…in extending protection to Martin Koszta, by rescuing him from illegal seizure and imprisonment on board the Austrian war-brig Hussar |
| Frederick A. Rose | May 11, 1858 | 11 Stat. 369 | Medicine | Assistant Surgeon in the British Navy | Recognized for his kindness and humanity to sick American seamen aboard the U.S. steamer Susquehannah whose crew had been stricken with yellow fever |
| Major General Ulysses S. Grant | December 17, 1863 | 13 Stat. 399 | Military | Major General (future President of the United States) | Recognized for his "gallantry and good conduct" during the Civil War, in the battles he engaged in |
| Cornelius Vanderbilt | January 28, 1864 | 13 Stat. 401 | Philanthropy | American Businessman and Entrepreneur | Recognized for his patriotic gift to the imperiled nation of a steamship which bore the donor's name. |
| Captain Creighton, Captain Low, and Captain Stouffer | July 26, 1866 | 14 Stat. 365-366 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Merchant Sea Captains | Recognized for rescuing approximately 500 men from the wreck of the steamship San Francisco |
| Cyrus W. Field | March 2, 1867 | 14 Stat. 574 | Telecommunications Pioneer | American Businessman and Entrepreneur | Praised for his work in the laying of the transatlantic cable |
| George Peabody | March 16, 1867 | 15 Stat. 20 | Philanthropy | Philanthropist (Father of Modern Philanthropy) | Recognized for his "great and peculiar beneficence" in giving $2 million "for the promotion of education in the most destitute portions of the southern and southwestern States" |
| George F. Robinson | March 1, 1871 | 16 Stat. 704 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Major | Praised for his "heroic conduct" in saving Secretary of State William H. Seward from an assassin's knife on April 14, 1865 |
| Captain Jared S. Crandall and Others | February 24, 1873 | 17 Stat. 638 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Naval Officer and Crew | Recognized for saving the lives of 32 persons from the wrecked steamer Metis, in the waters of the Long Island Sound |
| John Horn, Jr. |
June 20, 1874 April 28, 1904 | 18 Stat. 573 33 Stat. 1684-1685 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Good Samaritan | During an 11-year period he rescued 110 men, women, and children from drowning in the Detroit River. On April 28, 1904, Congress authorized and directed the Secretary of the Treasury to strike off and present to John Horn, Jr., a duplicate of the medal voted by Congress to him in 1874, which was stolen in October 1901 |
| John F. Slater | February 5, 1883 | 22 Stat. 636 | Philanthropy | Philanthropist | Recognized for his contribution of $1 million for the purpose of "uplifting the lately emancipated population of the Southern States and their prosperity, by conferring on them the blessings of Christian education" |
| Joseph Francis | August 27, 1888 | 25 Stat. 1249 | Inventor | Engineer | Thanked for his "life-long service to humanity" in the construction and perfection of lifesaving appliances, which had been instrumental in saving several hundreds of lives |
| Chief Engineer George Wallace Melville and Others | September 30, 1890 | 26 Stat. 552-553 | Military | Chief Engineer and shipmates | Praised for their persistent efforts to find and assist their commanding officer after they became shipwrecked on aboard the arctic exploring steamer Jeanette |
| First Lieutenant Frank H. Newcomb | May 3, 1900 | 31 Stat. 717 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | First Lieutenant | Praised for rescuing the United States naval torpedo boat Winslow under a "most galling fire from the enemy's guns" |
| First Lieutenant David H. Jarvis, Second Lieutenant Ellsworth P. Bertholf, and Dr. Samuel J. Call | June 28, 1902 | 32 Stat. 492 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Naval officers and crew | Recognized for a nearly 2,000 mile overland relief expedition to the American whaling fleet in the arctic region |
| Wright Brothers | March 4, 1909 | 35 Stat. 1627 | Aeronautical Pioneer | Inventors | Recognized for their achievements in demonstrating to the world the potential of aerial navigation |
| Captain Arthur Henry Rostron | July 6, 1912 | 37 Stat. 639 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Naval Officer | Recognized for his prompt and heroic response in rescuing 704 survivors from the wreck of the Titanic |
| Captain Paul H. Kreibohm and Others | March 19, 1914 | 38 Stat. 769 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Naval Officer | Recognized for rescuing 89 people from the burning steamer Volturno in the North Atlantic |
| Domicio da Gama, Romulo S. Naon, and Eduardo Suarez | March 4, 1915 | 38 Stat. 1228 | Public Service | Diplomats | Diplomatic representatives of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile who acted as mediators between the United States and Mexico |
| Charles A. Lindbergh | May 4, 1928 | 45 Stat. 490 | Aeronautical Pioneer | Aviator | Recognized for his aeronautical achievements |
| Lincoln Ellsworth, Roald Amundsen, and Umberto Nobile | May 29, 1928 | 45 Stat. 2026-2027 | Aeronautical Pioneer | Aviator | Lincoln Ellsworth was recognized for his "conspicuous courage, sagacity, and perseverance" exhibited during his famous polar flight of 1925 and his transpolar flight of 1926. Roald Amundsen, the distinguished Norwegian explorer, and Umberto Nobile, the distinguished Italian explorer, were recognized for their participation in the transpolar flight of 1926 |
| Thomas A. Edison | May 29, 1928 | 45 Stat. 1012 | Inventor | Scientist | Recognized for the development and application of "inventions that have revolutionized civilization" |
| First Successful Trans-Atlantic Flight | February 9, 1929 | 45 Stat. 1158 | Aeronautical Pioneer | Aviators | Recognized the seven officers and men who conceived, organized, and commanded the first trans-Atlantic flight |
| Major Walter Reed and Associates for Yellow Fever Experimentations in Cuba | February 28, 1929 | 45 Stat. 1409-1410 | Military and Doctor | Army Officer and Scientist | Recognized for discovering the cause and means of transmission of yellow fever. This act was subsequently amended on July 2, 1956 and September 2, 1958, to include the names of Gustaf E. Lambert and Roger P. Ames |
| Officers and Men of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition | May 23, 1930 | 46 Stat. 379 | Aeronautical Pioneer | Officers and Explorers | In recognition of the "high admiration in which Congress and the American people hold [the] heroic and undaunted services [connected] with the scientific investigations and extraordinary aerial expeditions of the Antarctic Continent, under the personal direction of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd" |
| Lincoln Ellsworth | June 16, 1936 | 49 Stat. 2324 | Aeronautical Pioneer | Aviator | Recognized for his polar flight of 1925 and transpolar flight of 1926. Recognized for "claiming on behalf of the United States approximately three-hundred-fifty-thousand square miles of land in the Antarctic between the eightieth and hundred and twentieth meridians west of Greenwich, representing the last unclaimed territory in the world..." |
| George M. Cohan | June 29, 1936 | 49 Stat. 2371 | Music | Composer | Honored for his patriotic songs "Over There" and "A Grand Old Flag" |
| Mrs. Richard Aldrich and Anna Bouligny | June 20, 1938 | 52 Stat. 1365 | Medicine | Hospital Volunteers | Recognized for their outstanding, unselfish, and wholly voluntary service in establishing and operating "hospitals for the care and treatment of military patients in Puerto Rico" during the war with Spain |
| Howard Hughes | August 7, 1939 | 53 Stat. 1525 | Aeronautical Pioneer | Inventor, Philanthropist | Praised for "advancing the science of aviation" |
| Reverend Francis X. Quinn | August 10, 1939 | 53 Stat. 1533 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Religious Clergy | Honored for risking his life in persuading an armed gunman holding an elderly couple hostage to surrender to police |
| William Sinnott | June 15, 1940 | 54 Stat. 1283 | Police | New York Detective | Honored for being wounded while guarding President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in Miami just prior to his first inauguration |
| Roland Boucher | January 20, 1942 | 56 Stat. 1099-1100 | Acclaimed Lifesaver | Good Samaritan | Recognized for saving the lives of four children who had broken through the ice on Lake Champlain near Juniper Island |
| George Catlett Marshall, General of the Army, and Fleet Admiral Ernest Joseph King | March 22, 1946 | 60 Stat. 1134-1135 | Military | Army and Navy Officers | Recognized for valor, bravery, and heroism during World War 2. General of the Army, George C. Marshall, was recognized for "distinguished leadership, as Chief of Staff of the Army and as a member of the Combined Chiefs of Staff of the United Nations, in planning the expansion, equipment, training and deployment of the great Army of the United States and in formulating and executing the global strategy that led to victory in World War II." Admiral Ernest Joseph King was recognized for his "distinguished leadership as Commander in Chief of the United States Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations and as a member of the Combined Chiefs of Staff of the United Nations.." |
| John J. Pershing, General of the Armies of the United States | August 7, 1946 | 60 Stat. 1297-1298 | Military | General | Recognized for his "heroic achievements" as Commander in Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I and for his "unselfish devotion to the service of his country" during World War II |
| Brigadier General William Mitchell | August 8, 1946 | 60 Stat. 1319 | Military | Brigadier General | Recognized for his "outstanding pioneer service and foresight in the field of American military aviation |
| Vice President Alben W. Barkley | August 12, 1949 | P.L. 81-221, 63 Stat. 599 | Public Service | Member of Congress, Sitting Vice President of the United States | Recognized for his "distinguished public service and outstanding contribution to the general welfare" |
| Irving Berlin | July 16, 1954 | P.L. 83-536, 68 Stat. A120 | Music | Composer | Recognition in composing "God Bless America" and other patriotic songs |
| Doctor Jonas E. Salk | August 9, 1955 | P.L. 84-297, 69 Stat. 589 | Scientist | Virologist | Recognized for discovering a serum for the prevention of polio |
| Surviving Veterans of the War Between the States | July 18, 1956 | P.L. 84-730, 70 Stat. 577 | Military | Soldiers | The four known surviving veterans of the Civil War received Congressional Gold Medals |
| Rear Admiral Hyman George Rickover | August 28, 1958 | P.L. 85-826, 72 Stat. 985 | Military | Scientist | Recognized for his achievements in "directing the development and construction of the world's first nuclear-powered ships and the first large-scale nuclear power reactor devoted exclusively to the production of electricity" |
| Doctor Robert H. Goddard | September 16, 1959 | P.L. 86-277, 73 Stat. 562-563 | Space Pioneer | Scientist | Recognized for his "historic pioneering research on space rockets, missiles, and jet propulsion" |
| Robert Frost | September 13, 1960 | P.L. 86-747, 74 Stat. 883 | Literature | Poet | Praised for enriching the culture of the world |
| Doctor Thomas Anthony Dooley III | May 27, 1961 | P.L. 87-42, 75 Stat. 87 | Doctor | Naval Doctor | Recognized for his unselfish medical care among underprivileged peoples of the world, particularly in Southeast Asia |
| Bob Hope | June 8, 1962 | P.L. 87-478, 76 Stat. 93 | Entertainer | Actor | Honored for outstanding "service to his country and the cause of peace" |
| Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House of Representatives | September 26, 1962 | P.L. 87-478, 76 Stat. 605 | Public Service | United States House of Representatives, Speaker of the House | Recognized for his "distinguished public service and outstanding contribution to the general welfare" |
| Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army | October 9, 1962 | P.L. 87-760, 76 Stat. 760 | Military | General | Recognized for his "gallant service" to the United States |
| Walt Disney | May 24, 1968 | P.L. 90-316, 82 Stat. 130-131 | Entertainer | Filmmaker and Businessman | Recognized for his "outstanding contributions to the United States and the world" |
| Winston Churchill | May 7, 1969 | P.L. 91-12, 83 Stat. 8-9 | Public Service | Former Prime Minister of Great Britain | In recognition of Winston Churchill, on the occasion of the dedication of the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri |
| Roberto Walker Clemente | May 14, 1973 | P.L. 93-33, 87 Stat. 71 | Humanitarian and Athlete | Baseball Player | Recognized for his "outstanding athletic, civil, charitable, and humanitarian contributions" |
| Marian Anderson | March 8, 1977 | P.L. 95-9, 91 Stat. 19 | Humanitarian and Musician | Opera Singer | Recognized for her devotion "to the promotion of the arts in this country and throughout the world including the establishment of scholarships for young people, for her strong and imaginative support to humanitarian causes at home, for her contributions to the cause of world peace through her work as United States delegate to the United Nations and her performances and recordings which have reached an estimated seven million people throughout the world..." |
| Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker | October 10, 1978 | P.L. 95-438, 92 Stat. 1060 | Military, Aviation Pioneer | Lieutenant General | Recognized for his "distinguished career as an aviation pioneer and Air Force leader" |
| Robert F. Kennedy | November 1, 1978 | P.L. 95-560, 92 Stat. 2142 | Public Service | United States Senator, United States Attorney General | Recognized for the "distinguished and dedicated service" he "gave to the Government and to the people of the United States" |
| John Wayne | May 26, 1979 | P.L. 96-15, 93 Stat. 32 | Entertainer | Actor | Decorated for distinguished career and contribution to the nation and the world |
| Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman | June 13, 1979 | P.L. 96-20, 93 Stat. 45 | Aeronautical Pioneer | Balloonists | Recognized as the first transatlantic balloonists |
| Hubert H. Humphrey | June 13, 1979 | P.L. 96-21, 93 Stat. 46 | Public Service | Former Vice President of the United States | Recognized for his "distinguished and dedicated service" to the Government and to the people of the United States |
| American Red Cross | December 12, 1979 | P.L. 96-138, 93 Stat. 1063 | Service Organization | Recognized for "unselfish and humanitarian service to the people of the United States" | |
| Ambassador Kenneth Taylor | March 6, 1980 | P.L. 96-201, 94 Stat. 79 | Public Service | Canadian Diplomat | Recognized for his efforts in securing the safe return of six American Embassy officials in their escape from Tehran |
| Simon Wiesenthal | March 17, 1980 | P.L. 96-211, 94 Stat. 101 | Attorney | Prosecutor, Holocaust Survivor | Recognized for his dedicated action in bringing to justice Nazi war criminals who had gone into hiding at the end of World War Two |
| 1980 United States Summer Olympic Team1 | July 8, 1980 | P.L. 96-306, 94 Stat. 937 | Athlete | United States Olympic Athletes | 1980 United States Summer Olympic Team |
| Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands | March 22, 1982 | P.L. 97-158, 96 Stat. 18-19 | Royalty, Public Servant | Queen of Netherlands | Medal in recognition of the bicentennial anniversary of diplomatic and commercial relations between the Netherlands and the United States |
| Admiral Hyman George Rickover | June 23, 1982 | P.L. 97-201, 96 Stat. 126-127 | Scientist, Military | Admiral, Scientist | Awarded a second gold medal for his contributions to the "development of safe nuclear energy and the defense of the United States" |
| Fred Waring | August 26, 1982 | P.L. 97-246, 96 Stat. 315-316 | Entertainer | Vocalist, Choral | Recognized for his "contribution to enriching American life" |
| Joe Louis | August 26, 1982 | P.L. 97-246, 96 Stat. 315-316 | Athlete | American Professional Boxer | Recognized for bolstering the "spirit of American people during one of the most critical times in American history" |
| Louis L'Amour | August 26, 1982 | P.L. 97-246, 96 Stat. 315-316 | Literature | Author | Recognized for his "distinguished career as an author and his contributions to the Nation through his historically based works" |
| Leo J. Ryan | November 18, 1983 | P.L. 98-159, 97 Stat. 992 | Public Service | Member of U.S. House of Representatives | Recognized following his "untimely" assassination while performing his responsibilities as a Member of the House of Representatives in Guyana |
| Danny Thomas | November 29, 1983 | P.L. 98-159, 97 Stat. 992 | Entertainer, Humanitarian | Actor, Philanthropist | Recognized for his "humanitarian efforts and his outstanding work as an American" |
| Harry S. Truman | May 8, 1984 | P.L. 98-278, 98 Stat. 173-175 | Public Service | United States Senator, Vice President of the United States, Former President of the United States | Recognized for his "life-time of outstanding public service which [he] gave to the United States, and in commemoration of his one hundredth birthday which was celebrated on May 8, 1984" |
| Lady Bird Johnson | May 8, 1984 | P.L. 98-278, 98 Stat. 173-175 | Public Service | Former First Lady of the United States | Recognized for her "outstanding contributions to the improvement and beautification of America" |
| Elie Wiesel | May 8, 1984 | P.L. 98-278, 98 Stat. 173-175 | Literature, Humanitarian | Author | Recognized for his "humanitarian efforts and outstanding contributions to world literature and human rights" |
| Roy Wilkins | May 17, 1984 | P.L. 98-285, 98 Stat. 186 | Civil Rights, Activist | Activist | Recognized for his lifelong commitment to the principles of freedom, equality, justice, and peace |
| George and Ira Gershwin | August 9, 1985 | P.L. 99-86, 99 Stat. 288-289 | Musician, Entertainer | Composers, Actors | Recognized for their contributions to American music, theater, and culture |
| Anatoly and Avital Shcharansky | May 13, 1986 | P.L. 99-298, 100 Stat. 432-433 | Humanitarian, Civil Rights Activist | Activist Soviet Union, Israel | Recognized for their "supreme dedication and total commitment to the cause of individual human rights and freedoms" |
| Harry Chapin | May 20, 1986 | P.L. 99-311, 100 Stat. 464 | Philanthropy, Musician | Activist, Vocalist | Recognized for his efforts to address issues of hunger around the world |
| Aaron Copland | September 23, 1986 | P.L. 99-418, Stat. 952-953 | Musician | Composer | Recognized for contributions to American music composition |
| Mary Lasker | December 24, 1987 | P.L. 100-210, 101 Stat. 1441 | Medicine, Scientist | Philanthropist | Recognized for her "humanitarian contributions in the area of medical research and education, urban beautification and the fine arts." Some consider Mary Lasker to be the first lady of medicine and science in the United States |
| Jesse Owens | September 20, 1988 | P.L. 100-437, 102 Stat. 1717 | Athlete, Civil Rights | Track and Field, Olympian | Recognized for his "humanitarian contributions to public service, civil rights, and international goodwill" |
| Andrew Wyeth | November 9, 1988 | P.L. 100-639, 102 Stat. 3331-3332 | Art | Artist | Recognized for contributions to American art and culture |
| Laurence Spelman Rockefeller | May 17, 1990 | P.L. 101-296, 104 Stat. 197-199 | Conservation | Philanthropist | Recognized for his "leadership on behalf of natural resource conservation and historic preservation" |
| General Matthew B. Ridgeway | November 5, 1990 | P.L. 101-510, 104 Stat. 1720-1721 | Military | General | Recognized for more than 40 years of distinguished service as a military commander |
| General H. Norman Schwarzkopf | April 23, 1991 | P.L. 102-32, 105 Stat. 175-176 | Military | General | Recognized for his "exemplary performance as a military leader in coordinating the planning, strategy, and execution of the United States" and coalition forces in liberating Kuwait |
| General Colin Powell | April 23, 1991 | P.L. 102-33, 105 Stat. 177-178 | Military | General | Recognized for his "exemplary performance as a military leader and advisor to the President in planning and coordinating the military response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait" |
| Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson | November 2, 1994 | P.L. 103-457, 108 Stat. 4799-4800 | Religious Leader | Clergy | Recognized for his "outstanding and enduring contributions toward world education, morality, and acts of charity." He was the leader of the Lubavitch movement for more than four decades |
| Ruth and Billy Graham | February 13, 1996 | P.L. 104-111, 110 Stat. 772-773 | Religious Leader | Clergy | Honored for "their outstanding and enduring contributions toward faith, morality, and charity" |
| Francis Albert “Frank” Sinatra | May 14, 1997 | P.L. 105-14, 111 Stat. 32-33 | Entertainer | Vocalist | Recognized for his "outstanding and enduring contributions through his entertainment career and humanitarian activities" |
| Mother Teresa of Calcutta | June 2, 1997 | P.L. 105-16, 111 Stat. 35-36 | Humanitarian, Religious | Catholic Nun, Saint | Recognized for her nearly 70 years of "selfless dedication to humanity and charitable works" |
| Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew | October 6, 1997 | P.L. 105-51, 111 Stat. 117-1171 | Religious Leader | Clergy, Spiritual Leader | Recognized for "outstanding and enduring contributions to religious understanding and peace." He was the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians around the world |
| Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela | July 29, 1998 | P.L. 105-215, 112 Stat. 895-896 | Civil Rights, Public Service | President of South Africa | Memorialized for his "lifelong dedication to the abolition of apartheid and promotion of reconciliation among the people of the Republic of South Africa" |
| Little Rock Nine: Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, Carlotta Walls | October 21, 1998 | P.L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681-597 | Civil Rights | Activists | Recognized for the selfless heroism they exhibited "in the cause of civil rights by integrating Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas" |
| Gerald R. and Betty Ford | October 21, 1998 | P.L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681-598 | Public Service | Former President and First Lady of the United States | Honored for "their dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the United States" |
| Rosa Parks | May 4, 1999 | P.L. 106-26, 113 Stat. 50-51 | Civil Rights | Activist | Honored for her "quiet dignity," which "ignited the most significant social movement in the history of the United States" |
| Theodore M. Hesburgh | December 9, 1999 | P.L. 106-153, 113 Stat. 1733-1734 | Civil Rights | Activist | Recognized for his "outstanding and enduring contributions to civil rights, higher education, the Catholic Church, the Nation, and the global community" |
| John Cardinal O'Connor | March 3, 2000 | P.L. 106-175, 114 Stat. 20-21 | Military, Clergy | Naval chaplain | Recognized for "his accomplishments as a priest, a Navy chaplain, and a humanitarian" |
| Charles M. Schulz | June 20, 2000 | P.L. 106-225, 114 Stat. 457-458 | Artist | Comics | Recognized for his "lasting artistic contributions to the Nation and the world." Charles Schulz was the creator of the comic strip Peanuts |
| Pope John Paul II | July 27, 2000 | P.L. 106-250, 114 Stat. 622-623 | Religious Leaders | Clergy, Pope | Recognized for "his many and enduring contributions to peace and religious understanding" |
| Ronald and Nancy Reagan | July 27, 2000 | P.L. 106-251, 114 Stat. 624-625 | Public Service | Former President and First Lady of the United States | Recognized for their "service to the nation" |
| Navajo Code Talkers | December 21, 2000 | P.L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763 | Military | Navajo Soldiers. Military Pioneers | Recognized for developing a code using their native language to communicate military messages during World War II. The code developed by these Native Americans proved to be unbreakable and was used extensively throughout the Pacific theater |
| General Henry H. Shelton | January 16, 2002 | P.L. 107-127, 115 Stat. 2405-2406 | Military | General | Recognized for his leadership in coordinating the United States and NATO's successful combat action throughout Operation Allied force in the Balkans |
| Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom | July 17, 2003 | P.L. 108-60, 117 Stat. 862-863 | Public Service | Prime Minister of the United Kingdom | Recognized for his "outstanding and enduring contributions…to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations" |
| Jackie Roosevelt Robinson | October 23, 2003 | P.L. 108-101, 117 Stat. 1195-1197 | Athlete, Civil Rights | Activist, Baseball Player | Recognized for his "many contributions to the nation" |
| Dr. Dorothy Height | December 6, 2003 | P.L. 108-162, 117 Stat. 2017-2019 | Civil Rights | Activist | Recognized for her contribution "as one of the preeminent social and civil rights activists of her time, particularly in the struggle for equality, social justice, and human rights for all people" |
| Reverend Joseph A. DeLaine, Harry and Eliza Briggs, and Levi Pearson | December 15, 2003 | P.L. 108-180, 117 Stat. 2645-2647 | Civil Rights | Civil Rights Activist | Recognized "for their contributions to the Nation as pioneers in the effort to desegregate public schools that led directly to the landmark desegregation case of Brown et al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka et al" |
| Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King | October 25, 2004 | P.L. 108-368, 118 Stat. 1746-1748 | Religious Leader, Civil Rights | Civil Rights Activist, Clergy | Recognized for their contribution "to the Nation on behalf of the civil rights movement" |
| The Tuskegee Airmen | April 11, 2006 | P.L. 109-213, 120 Stat. 322 | Military | Military Pioneers, Commemorative | Recognized for "their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces..., paving the way for full racial integration in the Armed Forces" |
| Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama | September 27, 2006 | P.L. 109-287, 120 Stat. 1231-1232 | Religious Leader, Civil Rights | Peace Activist, Clergy, Nobel Peace Prize Recipient (1989) | Recognized for "his many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights, and religious understanding." He "has used his leadership to promote democracy, freedom, and peace for the Tibetan people through a negotiated settlement of the Tibet issue" |
| Byron Nelson | October 16, 2006 | P.L. 109-357, 120 Stat. 2044-2046 | Athlete, Entertainer | Golfer, Broadcaster | Recognized for his "significant contributions to the game of golf as a player, a teacher, and a commentator" |
| Dr. Norman E. Borlaug | December 14, 2006 | P.L. 109-395, 120 Stat. 2709 | Scientist | Science, Botanist | Recognized for "bringing radical change to world agriculture and uplifting humanity." He is known for "developing a strand of wheat that could exponentially increase yields while actively resisting disease" |
| Michael Ellis DeBakey, M.D. | October 10, 2007 | P.L. 110-95, 121 Stat. 1008 | Military, Doctor | Surgeon | Recognized for making "numerous recommendations for the proper staged management of war wounds, which led to the development of mobile army surgical hospitals or 'MASH' units." Also honored for triggering "the most explosive era in modern cardiac surgery, when he performed the first successful coronary bypass" |
| Daw Aung San Suu Kyi | May 6, 2008 | P.L. 110-209, 122 Stat. 721 | Public Service | Peace Activist in Burma, Myanmar | Recognized for "her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma" |
| Constantino Brumidi | July 1, 2008 | P.L. 110-259, 122 Stat. 2430-2432 | Artist | Italian Artist | Recognized for his dedication to the beautification of the United States Capitol. Most notably he painted "The Apotheosis of Washington," in the eye of the Capitol Dome |
| Edward William Brooke III | July 1, 2008 | P.L. 110-260, 122 Stat. 2433-2435 | Public Service | United States Senator | Recognized for his "unprecedented and enduring service to our Nation." Edward William Brooke III was "the first African American elected by popular vote to the United States Senate" |
| Native American Code Talkers | October 15, 2008 | P.L. 110-420, 122 Stat. 4774 | Military | Military Pioneers, Commemorative | Recognized for developing "secret means of communication based on native languages and were critical to winning the war" |
| Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII (‘WASP’) | July 1, 2009 | P.L. 111-40, 123 Stat. 1958 | Military | Military Pioneers, Commemorative | Recognized for being "the first women in history to fly American military aircraft…[and] through their actions, the WASP eventually were the catalyst for revolutionary reform in the integration of women pilots into the Armed forces" |
| Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr. | August 7, 2009 | P.L. 111-44, 123 Stat. 1966-1967 | Space | Astronauts, Space Pioneers | Neil A. Armstrong was recognized for being "the first human to walk on the moon; Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin Jr., the pilot of the lunar module and second person to walk on the moon; Michael Collins, the pilot of their Apollo 11 mission's command module; and the first American to orbit the Earth, John Herschel Glenn, Jr" |
| Arnold Palmer | September 30, 2009 | P.L. 111-65, 123 Stat. 2003 | Athlete | Golfer | Recognized for "his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf" |
| Dr. Muhammad Yunus | October 5, 2010 | P.L. 111-253, 124 Stat. 2635 | Humanitarian | Economist and Entrepreneur | Recognized for "his contributions to the fight against global poverty… Muhammad Yunus is the recognized developer of the concept of microcredit, and the Grameen Bank, which he founded, has created a model of lending that has been emulated across the globe" |
| 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army | October 5, 2010 | P.L. 111-254, 124 Stat. 2637 | Military | Military Pioneers, Commemorative | Recognized for their "dedicated service during World War II." "The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor, and dedication to country these men faced while fighting a 2-fronted battle of discrimination at home and fascism abroad." "The MIS was made up of about 6,000 Japanese American soldiers who conducted highly classified intelligence operations that proved to be vital to United States military successes in the Pacific Theatre" |
| Montford Point Marines | November 11, 2011 | P.L. 112-59, 125 Stat. 751 | Military | Military Pioneers, Commemorative | To commemorate the first Black Marines and their accomplishments |
| The Fallen Heroes Act: Honoring the Men and Women who Perished as the result of the Terrorist Acts on the United States on September 11, 2001 | December 23, 2011 | P.L. 112-76, 125 Stat. 1275 and 1276 | Commemorative | To recognize, memorialize, and honor the Men and Women who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 | |
| Raoul Wallenberg | July 26, 2012 | P.L. 112-148, 126 Stat. 1140-1143 | Acclaimed Lifesaver/Humanitarian | Diplomat | To recognize his "achievement and heroic actions during the Holocaust." "Wallenberg created a new Swedish passport, the Schutzpass, which looked more imposing and official than the actual swedish passport…The schutzpasses alone are credited with saving 20,000 Jewish lives." "Of the 120,000 Hungarian Jews that survived, Raoul Wallenberg, acting under the War Refugee Board, is credited with saving an estimated 100,000 of them in a six month period" |
| Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley | May 24, 2013 | P.L. 113-11, 127 Stat. 447 | Civil Rights | Commemorative | To "commemorate the lives they lost…in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, where these 4 little Black girls' ultimate sacrifice served as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement" |
| The First Special Service Force, World War II | July 12, 2013 | P.L. 113-16,127 Stat. 477 | Military | Commemorative | To commemorate "the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II." "The Force was the only unit formed during World War II that consisted of troops form Canada and the United States." The force fought in treacherous conditions and was "among the first Allied troops to liberate Rome." "The United States is forever indebted to the acts of bravery and selflessness of the troops of the Force, who risked their lives for the cause of freedom" |
| American Fighter Aces | May 23, 2014 | P.L. 113-105, 128 Stat. 1159 | Military | Commemorative | To recognize "their heroic military service and defense of our country's freedom throughout the history of aviation warfare." An American Fighter Ace is a fighter pilot who has served honorably in a United States military service and who has destroyed 5 or more confirmed enemy aircraft in aerial combat during a war or conflict in which American armed forces have participated" |
| World War II members of the 17th Bombardment Group known as "Doolittle Tokyo Raiders" | May 23, 2014 | P.L. 113-106, 128 Stat. 1160 | Military | Combat Pilots, Commemorative | To recognize their outstanding heroism, valor, skill, and service to the United States in conducting the bombings of Tokyo during World War II, while knowing the “extremely hazardous mission” had a high risk of death, injury, or capture |
| World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol | May 30, 2014 | P.L. 113-108, 128 Stat. 1164 | Military | Volunteer Civil Air Patrol, Commemorative | To recognize the "unpaid volunteer members of the Civil Air Patrol [who] during World War II provided extraordinary humanitarian, combat, and national services during a critical time of need for the Nation." The CAP "used their own aircraft to perform a myriad of essential tasks for the military and the Nation within the United States, including attacks on enemy submarines off the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts" |
| President Shimon Peres | June 9, 2014 | P.L. 113-114, 128 Stat. 1175 | Public Service | President of Israel | Awarded to President Peres to proclaim Congress' "unbreakable bond with Israel" and to reaffirm "its continual support for Israel." At the time, President Peres was the only surviving member of the founding generation of Israel |
| Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section under the Allied Armies (Monuments Men) | June 9, 2014 | P.L. 113-116, 128 Stat. 1178 | Military | Commemorative | To recognize the Monument Men's "heroic role in the preservation, protection, restitution of monuments, works of art, and artifacts of cultural importance during and following World War II" |
| 65th Infantry Regiment, United States Army, known as the Borinqueneers | June 10, 2014 | P.L. 113-120, 128 Stat. 1183 | Military | Military Pioneers, Commemorative | The first Hispanic military unit, and the first unit of the Korean War, to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal |
| Jack Nicklaus | December 16, 2014 | P.L. 113-210, 128 Stat. 2077 | Athlete | Golfer | To recognize "his service to the Nation in promoting excellence, good sportsmanship, and philanthropy" |
| Foot Soldiers who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March in March of 1965 | March 7, 2015 | P.L. 114-5, 129 Stat. 78 | Civil Rights | Commemorative | To recognize "the Foot Soldiers who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March in March of 1965, which served as a catalyst for the Voting Rights Act of 1965" |
| Filipino Veterans of World War II | December 14, 2016 | P.L. 114-265, 130 Stat. 1376 | Military | Military Pioneers, Commemorative | To recognize the service of the Filipino veterans during World War II. "Filipinos who fought in the Philippines were not only defending or fighting for the Philippines, but also defending, and ultimately liberating, sovereign territory held by the United States Government" |
| Office of Strategic Services | December 14, 2016 | P.L. 114-269, 130 Stat. 1391 | Military | Intelligence, Commemorative | To recognize "the members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in recognition of their superior service and major contributions during World War II. The OSS was America's first effort to implement a system of strategic intelligence during World War II and provided the basis for the modern-day American intelligence and special operations communities" |
| Bob Dole | September 15, 2017 | P.L. 115-60, 131 Stat. 1154 | Public Service | United States Senator | To recognize "his service to the nation as a soldier, legislator, and statesmen." He "was known for his ability to work across the aisle and embrace practical bipartisanship on issues such as Social Security" and the ADA. He's been a member of the House of Reps, Senate Minority Leader, and Senate Majority Leader |
| Anwar Sadat, former President of Egypt | December 13, 2018 | P.L. 115-310, 132 State. 4424 | Public Service | Anwar Sadat, former President of Egypt | To recognize "his heroic achievements and courageous contributions to peace in the Middle East." "President Sadat bravely reached out to Israel and dedicated himself to peace, furthering the national security of Egypt and the stability of the Middle East..."the Camp David Accords and the Peace Treaty continue to serve the interests of the United States by preserving peace and serving as a foundation for partnership and dialogue in a region fraught with conflict and division" |
| Lawrence Eugene "Larry" Doby | December 17, 2018 | P.L. 115-332, 132 Stat. 4440 | Military, Athlete, Civil Rights | Baseball | To recognize "his achievements and contributions to American major league athletics, civil rights, and the Armed Forces during World War II." He "became the first African-American to play in the American League…and the first African-American player to hit a home run in a World Series game" |
| Chinese-American Veterans of World War II | December 20, 2018 | P.L. 115-337, 132 Stat. 5029 | Military | Military Pioneers, Commemorative | To recognize "the Chinese-American Veterans of World War II, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II… Despite the anti-Chinese discrimination at the time, as many as 20,000 Chinese Americans served in the Armed Forces during World War II, of whom, approximately 40 percent were not United States citizens due to the laws that denied citizenship to persons of Chinese descent" |
| The Crew of the USS Indianapolis | December 20, 2018 | P.L. 115-338, 132 Stat. 5033 | Military | Naval Officers and Crew | To recognize their perseverance, bravery, and service to the United States. The USS Indianapolis successfully delivered key components of the atomic bomb, "Little boy." The ship was also hit by two torpedoes leaving the survivors stranded in the water for four days |
| Stephen Michael Gleason | January 3, 2019 | P.L. 115-415, 132 Stat. 5433 | Athlete, Activist | Football player | To recognize the former NFL player for beginning "a mission to show that patients can not only live but thrive after a diagnosis of ALS" by establishing "The Gleaason Initiative Foundation." He has been an activist for the Steve Gleason Act of 2015 and has coordinated ALS research |
| Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and to award a Congressional Gold Medal to honor all of the women who contributed to the success of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration during the Space Race. | November 8, 2019 | P.L. 116-68, 133 Stat. 1129 | Scientist, Mathematician, Space | Mathematicians, Scientists, Engineers | To recognize Katherine Johnson for her service to the United States as a mathematician; Dr. Christine Darden for her service as an aeronautical engineer, as well as Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jacso for their service to the United States during the Space Race. In addition to this, one Gold Medal was to recognize all of the women at NASA between the 1930s and the 1970s |
| United States Merchant Mariners of World War II | March 13, 2020 | P.L. 116-125, 134 Stat. 171 | Military | Naval Officers and Crew, Commemorative | To recognize the Merchant Marines for "providing the link between domestic production and the fighting forces overseas," during World War II, "providing combat equipment, fuel, food, commodities, and raw materials to troops stationed abroad" |
| Merrill's Marauders 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) | October 17, 2020 | P.L. 116-170, 134 Stat. 743 | Military | Army Officers and infantry | To recognize "their bravery and outstanding service in the jungles of Burma during World War II" |
| Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act to honor women in the United States who joined the workforce during World War II, providing the aircraft, vehicles, weaponry, ammunition and other material to win the war. | December 3, 2020 | P.L. 116-195 | Public Service | Citizens, Commemorative | To collectively recognize "the women in the United States who joined the workforce during World War II, providing the aircraft, vehicles, weaponry, ammunition and other material to win the war" |
| Greg LeMond | December 4, 2020 | P.L. 116-208 | Athlete, Activist | Cyclist | To recognize his contributions to the nation as an athlete, activist, role model and community leader |
| The United States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 | August 5, 2021 | P.L. 117-32 | Police | Capitol Police and DC Police | To honor the "United states Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021" against a mob of insurrectionists |
| 369th Infantry of World War I "Harlem Hellfighters" Gold Medal Act | August 25, 2021 | P.L. 117-38 | Military | Army Officers and Enlisted, Commemorative | To recognize the first regiment of African-Americans deployed overseas during World War I for their bravery and outstanding service, never losing a foot of ground, despite the segregation of the Armed Forces |
| The Servicemembers who perished in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021 | December 16, 2021 | P.L. 117-72 | Military | Servicemembers from the Marines, Army, and Navy | To honor the servicemembers who perished in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021, "during the evacuation of citizens of the United States and Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International Airport." |
| Willie O'Ree | January 31, 2022 | P.L. 117-84 | Athlete, Activist | Hockey Player | To honor Willie O'Ree as "the first Black player to compete in the National Hockey League" as well as recognizing his life-long commitment to inclusion in the sport. |
| Ghost Army, Twenty-third Headquarters Special Troops | February 1, 2022 | P.L. 117-85 | Military | Army, Commemorative | To honor the Ghost Army's "unique and highly distinguished service in conducting deceptive operation in Europe during World War II." |
| The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the ‘‘Six Triple Eight’’ | March 14, 2022 | P.L. 117-97 | Military | Military Pioneers, Commemorative | To honor the African American women who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion for the "pioneering military service..., the devotion to duty..., [and] the contributions made by those women to increase the morale of all United States personnel stationed in the European Theater of Operations during World War II." |
| The United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II | June 7, 2022 | P.L. 117-132 | Military | Army Servicemembers, Commemorative | To collectively honor the United States Army Rangers veterans of World War II, "whose bravery and sacrifice in combat contributed greatly to the military success of the United States and the allies of the United States." |
| Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith | December 21, 2022 | P.L. 117-256 | Public Service and Military | Diplomats, Military Servicemembers, Civilians | To recognize their contributions and giving the ultimate sacrifice to the Nation in Benghazi, Libya. |
| Former Hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979–1981 | December 27, 2022 | P.L. 117-320 | Public Service | Diplomats, Military Servicemembers, Civilians | To highlight their resilience throughout the unprecedented ordeal that they lived through and the national unity it produced, marking 4 decades since their 444 days in captivity, and recognizing their sacrifice to the United States. |
| Benjamin Berell Ferencz | December 29, 2022 | P.L. 117-328 | Public Service | Civilian; Lawyer | In recognition of Benjamin Berell Ferencz's service to the United States and international community during the post-World War II Nuremberg trials and lifelong advocacy for international criminal justice and rule of law. |
| Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley | January 5, 2023 | P.L. 117-334 | Civil Rights | Citizens | To honor the legacy of Emmett Till and the incredible suffering and equally incredible courage, resilience, and efforts of Mamie Till-Mobley that led to the civil rights movement that began in the 1950s. |
Footnotes
1H.R. 7482 designated 650 gold-plated Congressional Gold Medals to be presented to the entire 1980 Summer Olympic Team by the President of the United States. The large striking necessitated the creation of gold-plated medals.