What medals does Joe Biden have?

The Prestigious Honors of Joe Biden

Throughout his decades in public service, Joe Biden has accumulated several notable awards recognizing his dedication to government and public safety. Beyond his long tenure as a senator, vice president, and president, his national honors highlight key moments of his long-standing career in Washington.

His highest domestic honor came on January 12, 2017, when President Barack Obama surprised him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. As the nation's highest civilian honor, receiving it with distinction is a rare privilege reserved for exceptional contributions to national security, peace, or cultural endeavors.

In addition to this civilian accolade, Biden's foreign policy work and defense contributions earned him further recognition. On January 16, 2025, he received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, an honor presented by the military establishment to recognize civilian leaders who provide extraordinary service to national defense.