The Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction

The medal is composed of a  three-inch badge in the form of a star of five white enamel points with a gold eagle with wings spread between each pair of points on the star.  Each eagle stands on a red enamel triangle.  In the center is a constellation of 13 gold stars set in a field of blue, surrounded by a gold rim.  The reverse of the medal bears the unique serial number D-X-15 and is inscribed Presidential Medal of Freedom. Together with: Blue and white striped grosgrain shoulder sash with pinked edges finished at the hip with a rosette to which is affixed a circular medal bearing a constellation of 13 gold stars set in a field of blue enamel. The medals are accompanied by a ribbon bar in blue and white surmounted with a gold eagle, a miniature medal pendant with a blue and white ribbon surmounted by a gold eagle for wear on a mess dress, and a blue velvet lapel badge secured at one end by a gold eagle pin for wear on civilian clothes. Housed within a satin and velvet lined wooden presentation box inset with a brass medallion of the seal of the United States. And with: Printed document signed ("Lyndon B. Johnson"), the White House, 28 February 1968, being Robert S. McNamara's citation for the medal. And with:  A black-and-white photograph of McNamara receiving the award; a 7-page photocopy list of recipients of the Medal of Freedom from the Truman through the Carter administrations; and a 5-page photocopy of Executive Order 11085.

LBJ awards the Presidential Award of Freedom with Distinction to McNamara a day before his announced departure from office. In his citation, LBJ declares: "For seven years, you have administered our complex Defense establishment—unifying our strength so that we might respond effectively wherever the security of our free world was challenged.

"You have understood that while freedom depends on strength, strength itself depends on the determination of free people." May your selfless service—spent in defending freedom—bring even greater rewards in the larger work you now undertake to promote freedom throughout the world.

"By 1966, McNamara was becoming increasingly controversial and his differences with the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff over Vietnam policy fueled rumors that he would resign. The increasing intensity of the anti-war movement in the United States and the approaching presidential campaign, in which Johnson was expected to seek re-election, figured heavily in reasons for McNamara's departure, as did McNamara's objections to the bombing of North Vietnam and to the increased number of U.S. ground troops. On 29 November 1967 President Johnson announced that McNamara would resign to become president of the World Bank.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom represents the supreme civil decoration in the United States. It was established by President Kennedy in 1963 through Executive Order 11085, replacing the earlier Medal of Freedom created by President Truman in 1945 to honor civilian service during World War II. The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes those 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."  The award is not limited to U.S. citizens, and while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to members of the military. The Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction is a special grade of the medal, having a larger execution of the medal, and includes a sash with an additional medal affixed to it. The ordinary Medal of Freedom is worn around the neck on a blue ribbon with white edge stripes; and itsother accoutrements (smaller pendant, ribbon bar, and lapel badge) are surmounted with silver rather than gold eagles.