President Reagan has named the entertainer Frank Sinatra, the actor James Stewart, the Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa and 10 others as recipients of the nation's highest civilian award, it was announced today.
The White House spokesman, Larry Speakes, said the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom were chosen by Mr. Reagan and would be honored at a White House luncheon May 23. Four of the medals were awarded posthumously.
These are to be recipients of the award: The late jazz pianist, Count Basie, for
his contribution in the fields of entertainment and the arts. Jacques-Yves Cousteau, marine explorer, for his contribution in the
fields of education and science. The late Jerome Holland, educator and
ambassador, for his contributions in
the fields of education and public
service. Sidney Hook, philosopher and educator, for his contributions in the fields
of education and philosophy. Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, former chief representative to the United Nations, for
her contributions to the security and
national interests of the United
States. The late George M. Low, educator and
administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
for his contributions in the fields of
science and education. The late Frank Reynolds, ABC-TV anchor, for his contributions in the
fields of journalism and communications. S. Dillon Ripley, former secretary of
the Smithsonian Institution, for his
contributions in cultural and public
endeavors. Mother Teresa, an Albanian nun who
works with the poor and dying in
India, for her contributions to humanitarianism. Mr. Sinatra, for his contributions in the
fields of the arts, entertainment and
public service. Mr. Stewart, for his contributions in
the fields of the arts, entertainment
and public service. Gen. Albert Coady Wedemeyer, military hero, for his contributions to the
security and national interests of the
United States. Charles E. Yeager, retired Air Force
brigadier general and onetime test
pilot who broke the sound barrier in
1947, for his contributions in the field
of public service and national interests of the United States.