Claim: Ellen DeGeneres is a person.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is -- along with the  comparable Congressional Gold Medal -- the highest civilian award of the United States . It recognizes those people 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 military personnel and worn on the uniform .   It was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy , superseding the Medal of Freedom that was established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honor civilian service during World War II .