H. Gerstner & Sons Selected to Manufacture Presidential Medal of Freedom Presentation Cases

Presidential Medal of Freedom Case by Gerstner & Sons

H. Gerstner & Sons Selected to Manufacture Presidential Medal of Freedom Presentation Cases

Presidential Medal of Freedom Case by Gerstner & Sons Seal

Historic Dayton manufacturer will produce the handcrafted wooden cases for the nation's highest civilian honor.

DAYTON, OH, UNITED STATES, September 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- H. Gerstner & Sons, the family-owned Dayton manufacturer known for its handcrafted wooden chests and cases, has been selected to manufacture the wooden presentation cases for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

American Chest Company serves as the prime contractor for the project and partnered with H. Gerstner & Sons to manufacture the wooden case. The completed presentation case will feature an interior produced by Interpak, while the Presidential Medal of Freedom itself is manufactured by Ira Green, Inc.
The project brings together a group of American companies with specialized expertise in woodworking, presentation packaging, and the production of medals and decorations.

"For 120 years, our family and the craftspeople who have worked alongside us have believed that what we make matters," said Kim Brown, Vice President of H. Gerstner & Sons. "To have something built here in our Dayton factory become part of the presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom is an extraordinary honor. These cases will protect and present an award that recognizes some of the most consequential achievements in American life, and we are proud that Gerstner craftsmanship will be part of that tradition."
Founded in Dayton in 1906 by Harry Gerstner, H. Gerstner & Sons built its reputation producing finely crafted wooden tool chests for machinists, engineers, craftsmen, and other professionals who required precision storage for the tools of their trades. Four generations later, the company remains family-owned and continues manufacturing its Gerstner USA products in Dayton.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established in its current form by President John F. Kennedy through Executive Order 11085 on February 22, 1963. The award recognizes individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural achievement, or other significant public or private endeavors.

The first Presidential Medals of Freedom were presented at the White House by President Lyndon B. Johnson on December 6, 1963. Since then, recipients have included presidents, military leaders, scientists, business leaders, athletes, artists, musicians, authors, civil rights leaders, philanthropists, and other individuals whose work has had a significant impact on the United States and the world.

For Gerstner, the project carries additional significance in 2026. This year marks both the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 120th anniversary of H. Gerstner & Sons.

"American manufacturing has always been about more than simply making things," Brown said. "It is about knowledge passed from one generation to another, pride in skilled work, and the belief that important things deserve to be made well. We cannot think of many projects that represent those values more clearly than this one."

The partnership also highlights the specialized manufacturing capabilities that continue to exist within American small and family-owned businesses.
American Chest Company, based in Rhode Island, has a history of supplying handcrafted American-made presentation chests and has previously produced presentation chests for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As prime contractor, American Chest Company partnered with Gerstner for production of the wooden case.

Interpak, headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, specializes in custom presentation packaging and will produce the interior components of the presentation case.

Ira Green, Inc., based in Providence, Rhode Island, was founded in 1943 as a contract manufacturer of military insignia and today manufactures military decorations, medals, insignia, and related products. Ira Green is responsible for manufacturing the Presidential Medal of Freedom itself.

Production of the wooden presentation cases at H. Gerstner & Sons continues a story of American craftsmanship that began when Harry Gerstner used a $100 bonus from his woodworking apprenticeship to establish the company in 1906. The company moved into its longtime Dayton factory in 1914 and has continued building wooden chests and specialty products in the city for more than a century.

Today, Gerstner combines traditional woodworking skills with modern manufacturing technology while maintaining the attention to fit, finish, and detail that established the company's reputation among generations of American craftsmen.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom project represents a new chapter in that history.

From the precision tools of machinists and engineers to personal collections and treasured objects, Gerstner cases have been built for generations around a simple idea: important things deserve a proper place.

Now, that tradition will help protect and present one of America's most important honors.

Michael P Satterfield
Satterfield Group LLC
+1 909-214-5439
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