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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Richard B. Cheney
RICHARD B. CHENEY
Awarded by
President George Bush
July 3, 1991
As Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney has been responsible for preserving America's defenses at a time of great change around the world. In the Persian Gulf, Secretary Cheney worked to bring together a formidable military coalition in response to Iraq's aggression against Kuwait and arranged for one of the largest overseas deployments of troops in American history. At home, he worked with Congress to ensure the broadest possible support for our actions in the Gulf. When war came, his superb leadership of all our armed forces helped speed the way to victory. The United States honors a vigilant defender of our Nation's interests and a firm friend of freedom.
Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, meet His Holiness Pope John Paul II in the Vatican in Rome Jan. 27, 2004. The visit was part of a five-day trip through Switzerland and Italy for consultations with European allies on national security and economic matters. White House photo by David Bohrer
Biography
Vice President Richard B. Cheney
Vice President Richard B. Cheney has had a distinguished career as a businessman and public servant, serving four Presidents and as an elected official. Throughout his service, Mr. Cheney served with duty, honor, and unwavering leadership, gaining him the respect of the American people during trying military times.
Mr. Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941 and grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He earned his bachelor's and master's of arts degrees from the University of Wyoming. His career in public service began in 1969 when he joined the Nixon Administration, serving in a number of positions at the Cost of Living Council, at the Office of Economic Opportunity, and within the White House.
When Gerald Ford assumed the Presidency in August 1974, Mr. Cheney served on the transition team and later as Deputy Assistant to the President. In November 1975, he was named Assistant to the President and White House Chief of Staff, a position he held throughout the remainder of the Ford Administration.
After he returned to his home state of Wyoming in 1977, Mr. Cheney was elected to serve as the state's sole Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was re-elected five times and elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 1981 to 1987. He was elected Chairman of the House Republican Conference in 1987 and elected House Minority Whip in 1988. During his tenure in the House, Mr. Cheney earned a reputation as a man of knowledge, character, and accessibility.
Mr. Cheney also served a crucial role when America needed him most. As Secretary of Defense from March 1989 to January 1993, Mr. Cheney directed two of the largest military campaigns in recent history - Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East. He was responsible for shaping the future of the U.S. military in an age of profound and rapid change as the Cold War ended. For his leadership in the Gulf War, Secretary Cheney was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush on July 3, 1991.
Mr. Cheney married his high school sweetheart, Lynne Ann Vincent, in 1964, and they have grown daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, and three granddaughters.
Richard Cheney swearing in as Vice President of the United States January 20, 2001
DICK CHENEY AND DON RUMSFELD JOINT RECIPIENTS OF THE 2004 GERALD R. FORD MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE
Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld, will be the joint recipients of the 2004 Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service. The medals will be presented by President Ford at a dinner at the U.S. Capitol Building celebrating the 30th anniversary of President Ford taking the oath of office as 38th President of the United States on August 9, 2004.
“Dick and Don exemplify what public service is all about. I was fortunate to have them both serve in my administration as part of their public service careers,” stated President Ford. Ford went on to say that “they have had distinguished careers which in many ways have paralleled each other.” “Both served in the House of Representatives, as Chiefs of Staff in my administration, and as Secretary of Defense. Both had successful careers in the private sector as business executives and returned when called to public service in the current Bush Administration as Vice President and Secretary of Defense,” Ford said.
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The medal is given annually to an individual who has served the public good in the private and public sector and was established by the Board of Trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation. According to the Board Chairman, Martin J. Allen, Jr., “the criteria for the recipient are based on characteristics that President Ford demonstrated in his public service. They include strength of character; diligence; decisiveness; sound judgment; and integrity all of which have been characteristic of Vice President Cheney and Secretary Rumsfeld’s careers. Having served as President Ford’s Chiefs of Staff, it is most appropriate that they receive this award at a dinner honoring the beginning of the Ford Presidency.”
The Gerald R. Ford Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation whose primary mission is to support the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum through historical exhibits, educational programs, conferences, research grants and awards. In fulfilling its mission, the Foundation seeks to honor the principles and values demonstrated by President Ford throughout his public service career. The Foundation also seeks to educate Americans about the unique history and significant events of the Ford presidency. Finally, the Foundation seeks to enhance public understanding of American history and government, particularly the presidency.
Dick Cheney is sworn in for a second term as Vice President by Speaker of the House of Representatives Dennis Hastert during an inaugural ceremony Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005. Lynne Cheney, Mary Cheney, and Liz Cheney listen as he takes the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol.
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Medal History
