- Charlie Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump
- The award ceremony was announced at the Pentagon during 9/11 memorial services
- Charlie Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University during a Q&A session and later died
Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was shot dead, will be honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour, posthumously, US President Donald Trump announced at the Pentagon on Thursday.
Trump was speaking during memorial services marking the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Trump said that Kirk, shot dead during a Q&A session at Utah Valley University, was an inspiration to millions, a "giant of his generation, and a champion of liberty."
He expressed sympathy for Kirk's family, saying, "Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika, and his beautiful children; they are fantastic people," reported The Guardian.
What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour in the US. It is awarded by the President to recognise a lifetime of exceptional contributions in the arts, public service, science, or other fields, according to Congress.Gov.
The medal was first established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 as the Medal of Freedom. Later, in 1963, President John F. Kennedy renamed it the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
It features a white star on a red pentagon, surrounded by five gold eagles. At the centre of the star is a blue circle with 13 gold stars, representing the original 13 US states.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom comes in two levels. The standard version is awarded to most recipients, while the more prestigious version, known as the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, is reserved for individuals whose contributions are considered truly exceptional.
It has also been referred to as "the highest civil award that can be presented by the President of the United States" and "the civilian equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor."
Over the decades, the medal has been awarded to a diverse group of people, from civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. to artists like Ella Fitzgerald and astronauts like Neil Armstrong.
Who was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk was a prominent American conservative activist and a founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
He was shot in the neck during a public event at Utah Valley University. He was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery but succumbed to his injuries.
The FBI is currently investigating the case as an apparent political assassination. The shooter is still at large.
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