President Obama Awards Senator Inouye with the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Washington, DC - Today, Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i), who was at the White House for the Medal of Freedom ceremony, applauded President Obama for awarding Senator Daniel K. Inouye with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. 

“No one is more deserving of this honor than Senator Inouye,” said Senator Brian Schatz.  “Senator Inouye is Hawai‘i’s hero, he is an American hero, and great leader who served with incredible bravery, compassion, and humility.  This is an honor for everyone in Hawai‘i that he is being recognized in this way.”

President Obama said at the ceremony, “Daniel Inouye was a humble man and didn’t wear his Medal of Honor very often, instead he liked to wear a pin representing the good conduct medal he earned as a teenage private. ‘To behave yourself takes special effort,’ he said.  ‘And I did not want to dishonor my family.’ Danny always honored his family and his country, even when his country didn’t always honor him.  After being classified as an enemy alien, Danny joined a Japanese American unit that became one of the most decorated in World War II.”

Senator Inouye was previously awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Cross, Medal of Honor, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and Purple Heart.

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