On this day in 1973, President Richard Nixon presented film director John Ford with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest awards given to civilians. “In his life and in his work,” reads the award citation, “John Ford represents the best in American films, and the very best in America.” The presentation took place at the first ceremony for the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, which Ford also received.

John Ford is one of four directors who will be honored later this year on the Great Film Directors stamp pane. The others are Frank Capra, Billy Wilder, and John Huston. Have a favorite John Ford movie? Tell us about it in the comments.

The use of the name and likeness of John Huston by permission of the Huston Family.