The Boy Scouts of America have presented their highest honor to U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Rumsfeld accepted, saying, "I'm very honored to accept scouting's Silver Buffalo Award. Since its earliest days, the Boy Scouts have cultivated leadership and good citizenship, a service that has been recognized since the United States Congress first chartered the Boy Scouts back in 1916."

Rumsfeld joins an elite group of recipients, such as Charles A. Lindbergh, Norman Rockwell, Gen. Colin Powell, Walt Disney, Hank Aaron, Bob Hope, Vince Lombardi, Neil Armstrong, Charles M. Schulz and 14 U.S. presidents.

According to the Pentagon, Rumsfeld became a Cub Scout in 1941 and rose to Eagle Scout in 1949. In 1975, he received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, an award that acknowledges Eagle Scouts who have distinguished themselves in business, professions and service to their country.