(CNN) President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Freedom to retired US Army Gen. Jack Keane on Tuesday evening, shaking his hand and then placing the medal around his neck.

Trump said Keane "demonstrated unflinching courage" and called him a "visionary and brilliant strategist and an American hero" as he awarded him the nation's highest civilian honor.

"Jack, I have to say, has been giving me great advice, too," Trump added.

Keane served in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for valor.

He was also at the Pentagon when it was attacked on 9/11.

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