President Barack Obama greets military personnel who have recently returned from Afghanistan, Friday, May 6, 2011, at Fort Campbell, Ky. – Photo by AP

FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky: US President Barack Obama on Friday met and decorated the “full assault force” behind the clandestine raid that killed Osama bin Laden, a White House official said.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden held a series of closed door meetings with special operations troops, then decorated the entire force handing out Presidential Unit Citations, the highest unit award he has the power to grant.

“First, the president and vice president met with some of the Special Operations forces who conducted the successful operation against Osama bin Laden,” the White House official said.

Obama was briefed about the daring raid led by Navy SEAL special operations troops deep into Pakistani territory early on Monday morning, which killed the Al-Qaeda chief in his hideout, after a 10-year manhunt.

“The president and vice president then met with the full assault force that carried out the operation.

“The president awarded the units involved a Presidential Unit Citation -- the highest such honor that can be given to a unit -- in recognition of their extraordinary service and achievement.

The official said that in each meeting, Obama was able to speak and offer his “personal admiration and gratitude” to the secretive special troops. – AFP