Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jordan Among Star-Studded List Of Medal Of Freedom Recipients

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The White House announced the list of 21 individuals that will be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom this year and it is a star-studded group of individuals. The list includes some very familiar names from the worlds of music, television, movies and sports.

The award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a civilian in the United States. It is given to those who benefit the country in the areas of security or national interest to the country, world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

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President Barack Obama released a statement about those receiving the award saying:

"The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation's highest civilian honor - it's a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better.  From scientists, philanthropists, and public servants to activists, athletes, and artists, these 21 individuals have helped push America forward, inspiring millions of people around the world along the way."

Some of the names on the list that you might have heard before include Michael Jordan, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Ellen DeGeneres, Vin Scully, Cicely Tyson and Bruce Springsteen.

Other recipients include, Richard Garwin, a polymath physicist, Bill and Melinda Gates, for their leadership of The Gates Foundation, Frank Gehry, one of the world's leading architects, and Margaret Hamilton, who led the team that created the on-board flight software for NASA's Apollo command modules and lunar modules.

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The other recipients are Diana Ross, Robert Redford, Eduardo Padrón, Newt Minow, Lorne Michaels, Maya Lin, Grace Hopper, Elouise Cobell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.