Tom Brokaw to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Tom Brokaw will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced earlier Monday. He becomes the fourth TV anchor to get this award — which will be bestowed Nov. 24. 

Per the White House:

“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

  And the line about Brokaw: 

 “For decades, Mr. Brokaw has reached millions of Americans in living rooms across the country to provide depth and analysis to historic moments as they unfold, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the terrorist attacks of 9-11.”

 Other TV anchors so anointed (and no female anchors, which is an oversight that will hopefully be corrected by another occupant of the White House): 

 Walter Cronkite, '81; Frank Reynolds, '85; David Brinkley, '92; and Edward R. Murrow (not an anchor precisely, but ...), '64. 

  Congrats to Brokaw: A huge honor, richly deserved. 

  Here's a list of the other recipients, who include Marlo Thomas.