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NBC's Matt Lauer says he was reduced to tears when he watched President Obama surprise Vice President Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday. "I'm glad there were no cameras in my apartment yesterday because I was just sitting there weeping ... I just burst out crying when I saw that moment. It was incredible,” Lauer, who recently signed a reported $20 million per year contract extension through 2018, said Friday on "Today." The waterworks were on for Biden himself as well on Thursday when Obama shocked his vice president with the Medal of Freedom. Biden had to...

From President Poseur, for President Poseur. Go to 0:57:00 to view the award ceremony.

Lt. Col. Charles S. Kettles, an Army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, will be awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony later this month for an act of heroism almost 50 years ago. At the time he was given the Distinguished Service Cross, but a dedicated amateur historian finally talked the Department of Defense into reviewing the matter. Following an act of Congress and a Presidential signature (required for Medal of Honor awards), Kettles will receive his new medal in a July 18 ceremony at the White House.

A U.S. airman who helped disarm a gunman on a Paris-bound train last month will receive a Purple Heart medal, the U.S. Air Force leader said on Monday, in an unusual award of the honor to a serviceman wounded while not in a combat zone. (snip) In addition to the Purple Heart, Stone will receive the Airman’s Medal, the Air Force’s highest non-combat award for bravery. The medals will be awarded at a ceremony at the Pentagon this week.

Three Americans received France’s highest honor from its President this morning after risking their lives to stop a terror attack on a train before it could get in motion. The three quick-thinking Americans, joined by a British businessman who helped in rendering the terrorist immobile, received high praise from Francois Hollande. “We are giving you the highest distinction of the country to show you how much we appreciate what you did,” declared François Hollande:CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO Three Americans who helped thwart an attack by an AK-47-toting gunman on a high-speed train received France’s highest honor on...

While the overall reaction to Caitlyn Jenner's introduction has been overwhelmingly positive, restoring our faith in the world and making Caitlyn herself feel 'humbled' and extremely happy, there are some who haven't reacted quite so well. In fact, a shocking petition has now been started urging the International Olympic Committee to actually REVOKE her incredible 1976 Olympic gold medal, as they claim she was "in violation of committee rules." Yes, really. The 65-year-old won the medal for the decathlon in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, but now some are suggesting that she should give back the medal. And by some, we...

WASHINGTON (AP) — They were heroes who didn't get their due. On Tuesday, 24 mostly ethnic or minority U.S. soldiers who performed bravely under fire in three of the nation's wars finally received the Medal of Honor that the government concluded should have been awarded a long time ago. The servicemen were identified following a congressionally mandated review to ensure that eligible recipients of the country's highest recognition for valor were not bypassed due to prejudice. Only three of the 24 were alive for President Barack Obama to drape the medals and ribbons around their necks. "Today we have the...

Today's TopClip features a remarkable tribute for a legendary man. Radio legend Mark Levin remembered the life and heroism of Walter Ehlers, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from D-Day in WWII, who died late last week at the age of 92. Rest in peace, Staff Sergeant Ehlers. - TRNWATCH/LISTEN:

President Barack Obama opened a day of tributes to former President John F. Kennedy on Wednesday by bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom on prominent Americans, 50 years after Kennedy was assassinated weeks short of the medal’s first award ceremony. Obama presented the medal — the highest award the U.S. gives a civilian — to Oprah Winfrey, former President Bill Clinton...Gloria Steinhem...

<p>WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom on more than a dozen prominent Americans 50 years after the death of the award's founder, President John F. Kennedy.</p>

But would they drink beer together? President Obama will award former President Bill Clinton the Medal of Freedom on Wednesday at the White House, a public display of admiration belied by the enduring tensions between the two men. Mr. Obama will bestow the nation’s highest civilian honor on Mr. Clinton for the work during his presidency and, more recently, as head of the Clinton Global Initiative. Fifteen other honorees will attend the ceremony in the East Room, but all eyes will be on the president and his sometime nemesis, the former president. It will be their first face-to-face encounter since...

President Barack Obama will give the Presidential Medal of Freedom ("PMF") to former President Bill Clinton, a man who was found by a federal judge to have lied to her face while under oath, at the same time his job description required him to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. The judge found Clinton in contempt of court. Obama now has the same job as Clinton did, so Obama must know something about the importance of national security. Yet Obama is giving the PMF to a man who endangered national security for his personal gain. During the investigation...

The Pentagon is cancelling a controversial medal designed to recognize contributions of unmanned aerial vehicle pilots and cyber troops, according to a Monday memorandum signed by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel obtained by USNI News.

The creation of the new medal honoring unmanned vehicle pilots and cyber troops, “is a telling and sad commentary on the judgment of those who are responsible for the creation and approval of this award,” Jack Jacobs, Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam veteran, told USNI News on Wednesday.

<p>Israel will award President Barack Obama the country's Presidential Medal of Distinction during his upcoming visit.</p> <p>Israeli President Shimon Peres' office said Monday that Obama will be recognized for his "unique and significant contribution to strengthening the State of Israel and the security of its citizens."</p>

WASHINGTON (AP) — They fight the war from computer consoles and video screens. But the troops that launch the drone strikes and direct the cyberattacks that can kill or disable an enemy may never set foot in the combat zone. Now their battlefield contributions may be recognized. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Wednesday that for the first time the Pentagon is creating a medal that can be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations, but do it from afar.

A Marine who was killed after his unconscious body fell on a live grenade during the Iraq War will not receive a posthumous Medal of Honor, it was revealed today. Sgt Rafael Peralta was 25 years old when he fell on the grenade in Fallouja, Iraq in 2004. Though he perished, his body shielded other American soldiers and saved the lives of other Marines. The Pentagon told Rep. Duncan Hunter it supports the decision of former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who honored Sgt. Rafael Peralta with the Navy Cross instead of the military´s highest honor.

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Mens' double trap event; 1 Peter Wilson 2 DAHLBY Hakan 3 MOSIN Vasily

When Olympic medalists return to the United States, they're in high demand. Everyone, from Michael Phelps to a bronze medalist in judo will be sitting for television interviews, talking to newspapers, going to assemblies at local schools and celebrating with friends, family and young athletes. They'll also draw some unwanted interest from everyone's favorite bureaucrats: the IRS. Medalists will have to pay hefty taxes for standing on the podium in London. It's not the value of the medal itself that will require a separate line on this years tax returns, it's the tax on the prize money that comes with...