US President Barack Obama surprised Vice President Joe Biden by presenting him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in the State Dining Room of the White House on Thursday. /REUTERS photo

Obama hugs Vice President Joe Biden after giving him the medal. /REUTERS photo

Biden was stunned, wiping tears from his eyes, after Obama announced that he would receive the honor, and said he had no “inkling” it was going to happen. /REUTERS photo