Obama to award Tutu medal of freedom. Staff Reporter. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will accept the Medal of Freedom award from US President Barack Obama next week, his office said on Friday. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will accept the Medal of Freedom award from United States President Barack Obama in Washington, DC next week, his office said on Friday. âI am overwhelmed, deeply honoured, humbled and I am something that I donât often get to be, speechless,â Tutu said in a statement.