  a congressional gold medal is an award bestowed by the united states congress; the congressional gold medal and the presidential medal of freedom are the highest civilian awards in the united states. it is awarded to persons "who have performed an achievement that has an impact on american history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement." american citizenship is not a requirement. ==history==  since the american revolution, congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. the medal was first awarded in 1776 by the second continental congress to general george washington.congressional gold medal recipients although the first recipients were military figures who participated in the american revolution, the war of 1812 and the mexican-american war, congress broadened the scope of the medal to include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in aeronautics and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public servants, and foreign recipients. the medal normally is awarded to persons, but in 1979 the american red cross became the only organization to be honored with a gold medal.  four people had been awarded more than one gold medal: winfield scott (1814 for war of 1812 and 1848 for mexicanâamerican war), zachary taylor (1846, 1847, and 1848 for mexican-american war), lincoln ellsworth (1928 and 1936 for polar exploration), and hyman g. rickover (1958 for the "nuclear navy" and 1982 for his entire career).  ==process of awarding==  the gold medal and the presidential medal of freedom are generally considered to carry the same level of prestige (though significantly fewer gold medals have been awarded). the chief difference between the two is that the freedom medal is personally awarded by the president of the united states, and congressional gold medals are awarded by a
Civil_awards_and_decorations_of_the_United_States Legislative_branch_of_the_United_States_government