I have seen the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal both referred to as our nation’s highest civilian honor. So which one is? Or is it comparing apples and oranges because the Medal of Freedom is a decoration (can be worn on one’s person) and the Gold Medal is more of a commemorative? Either way they are both “honors” and the Gold Medal is much rarer than the Medal of Freedom.
I think the highest award in America is the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb. Well over 14000 ft (4267 [sup]o[/sup]C).
The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award; the Medal of Honor is the highest military award. I’ve never heard of the Congressional Gold Medal. I’ve heard of the Girl Scout Gold Award. But that’s different 
LL
The U.S. Mint will sometimes be ordered by Congress to strike medallions honoring certain people or events, but I forget the proper name for them. I’m pretty sure they are not Freedom Medals, though, so they might be the “Gold Medals” you are referring to.
Oh, and I drove to the top of Pike’s Peak with a co-worker and can assure you it’s much less than 4267 degrees Celsius at the top. 14,110 ft, IIRC.
Congressional Gold Medal
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Looks like the Pres. Medal of Freedom is the big one. The CGM is simply a recognition of accomlishment by Congress.
For some reason, my link to the CGM is appearing. Try this:
Rosa Scores the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.
It would appear as if this particular medal is of a unique design: “Congressional lawmakers gave Mrs. Parks an artist’s drawing of the medal, which is not yet finished.”
According to this article, “[t]he Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can bestow on a civilian. Recipients include Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, Frank Sinatra, Billy Graham and George Washington.”
That actually resolves a little question I had rattling around in the can. I was under the mistaken impression that Ron Reagan had pushed through a Congressional Medal of Honor for Ol’ Blue Eyes. I feel a little better knowing that it was the civilian version instead.
Nonono. The highest medal in America is the coveted Humbolt award.
comeon, somebody had to do it. I just got here first.
Interesting fact - there is no such military award as a “Congressional Medal of Honor” - the proper name for the US Military’s highest award for valor is simply the “Medal Of Honor.” I believe (and my memory could be playing tricks on me tonight) that candidates for the award are approved by Congress, hence the confusion.