Buffett gets Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama on Tuesday praised Warren Buffett for amassing one of the world's largest fortunes — and for pledging to give nearly all of it away.

Buffett was one of 15 people to receive the Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor, during an East Room ceremony at the White House. The honorees included artists, athletes, world leaders and civil rights activists.

“For all the money he's earned, you don't see Warren Buffett wearing fancy suits or driving fancy cars,” Obama said before hanging the medal around the Oracle of Omaha's neck. “Instead, you see him devoting the vast majority of his wealth to those around the world who are suffering or sick or in need of help.”

Buffett entered Tuesday's ceremony between Maya Angelou and George H. W. Bush. When asked about being honored alongside the renowned poet and respected former president, Buffett pointed instead to two other medal recipients.

“The ones you should compare me with are Bill Russell and Stan Musial,” Buffett told The World-Herald, laughing.

He then conceded he would have a hard time matching up against Russell, the Boston Celtics low-post great, or Musial, the Hall of Fame first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.

“There was a lot of athletic talent up there, and when I left there was still as much as there was before,” he said.