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US president Barack Obama has awarded the retiring US secretary of defence, Robert Gates, the Presidential Medal of Freedom - the highest civilian honour.
Mr Gates, a Republican, was appointed by then-president George W Bush in 2006, and in an unusual move, Mr Obama retained him.
Mr Obama made the presentation at an outdoor ceremony at the Pentagon as a surprise for Mr Gates on his last day in office.
"Bob, today you're not only one of the longest-serving secretaries of defence in American history but it's also clear you've been one of the best," Mr Obama said.
"As president, the highest honour I can bestow on a civilian is the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It speaks to the values we cherish as a people and the ideals we strive for as a nation."
Mr Obama said Mr Gates loved the troops and rose above bitter political divisions to protect the country's interests.
"The integrity of Bob Gates is also a reminder, especially to folks here in Washington, that civility and respectful discourse, and citizenship over partisanship are not quaint relics of a bygone era," Mr Obama said.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who opened the ceremony, paid tribute to Mr Gates as "impenetrably" honest, with a sharp wit and a penchant for asking hard questions.
"He tells it straight, no bull, no fancy words," Mr Mullen said.
Mr Gates stepped down after four-and-a-half years dominated by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and global turmoil that has tested American power.
His departure marks a reshuffling of Mr Obama's national security team.
Mr Gates will be succeeded by another Washington veteran, Leon Panetta, who is leaving the CIA director's job.
Mr Panetta said on Thursday it had been "one hell of a ride" leading the spy agency and called the killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden a highlight of his tenure.
The Senate has approved General David Petraeus, the outgoing commander in Afghanistan, as the next head of the CIA.
General Petraeus is credited with salvaging the US effort in Iraq, where he led the 2007 surge of US forces, and improving the security situation in Afghanistan during the US military surge there in the past year.
Throughout his career of 37 years in the military, he also has earned a reputation for brains and political savvy.
- ABC/Reuters
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/07/01/3258231.htm
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