James E. Burke, former Johnson & Johnson chairman and CEO, has died at the age of 87. Burke’s extraordinary career in the private and public sectors earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. While at J&J, the company’s sales grew threefold, to $9 billion.

“Jim Burke was among the greatest leaders in the history of American business,” said Alex Gorsky, Johnson & Johnson’s CEO. “His commitment to the values expressed in Our Credo served as the foundation for everything Jim did throughout his remarkable career. He will forever inspire the people of Johnson & Johnson.”

William C. Weldon, Johnson & Johnson’s chairman, stated: “Jim was a courageous leader, who defined the very essence of corporate and civic responsibility. His passion and commitment to children and families benefited not only Johnson & Johnson, but our country as well.”

Lifelong friend, Thomas S. Murphy, former chairman and chief executive officer of Capital Cities / ABC, met Burke at Harvard Business School. He said: “Jim Burke believed 100 percent in the Johnson & Johnson Credo, as he exemplified when he took Tylenol off the shelves (in 1982 and 1986).” He continued: “Jim also was a great believer in America. To me, he was a wonderful friend.”

After retiring from Johnson & Johnson in 1989, Burke assumed the chairmanship of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (now The Partnership at Drugfree.org), a non-profit organization founded by the American Association of Advertising Agencies. Under Burke’s leadership, the Partnership would grow to become one of the most effective organizations combating substance abuse in the United States. It created compelling advertising campaigns designed to change social attitudes about illicit drugs.

Burke rallied thousands of media and communications professionals to support the cause. Ad agencies worked pro-bono, while media companies donated millions of dollars in broadcast time and print space to carry the campaigns.

At a ceremony held in the East Room of the White House on August 9, 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Burke the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his outstanding corporate and civic leadership. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian award.

In a letter to President Bill Clinton offered in support of Burke’s nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President George H. W. Bush said: “Jim deserves the award not only for his tireless and unselfish work in the fight against drugs, but also for his exemplary business leadership when he was CEO of Johnson & Johnson.”