Bush, Australian leader meet

President Bush at the Washington Navy Yard

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. President George Bush praised the United States' longstanding relationship with Australia on Monday, and presented Prime Minister John Howard with a gift that symbolizes the U.S.-Australia military alliance -- the ship's bell of the USS Canberra, an American vessel named in honor of an Australian warship lost in World War II.

The gift comes as both countries commemorate the 50th anniversary of their military alliance. Monday morning's ceremony took place at the Washington Navy Yard.

"It's a fine bell with a great history," said Bush, calling it "a sign of the unbounded respect" Americans have for Australia. "This bell that you're going to receive has traveled for almost 25 years aboard the only American ship every commissioned in honor of an ally's fallen vessel, the USS Canberra. She no longer sails, but she gave faithful service. And this bell is a reminder of a faithful partner in times of crisis and in times of calm."

The USS Canberra, commissioned in October 1943 in Boston, was called to action in February 1944 in the South Pacific. It was struck in 1944 by an aerial torpedo, killing 23 men.

It later saw action in Vietnam.

The ship was to be named the USS Pittsburgh, but it was instead christened the USS Canberra in honor of the Australian ship HMAS Canberra. That vessel was lost in the battle of the Savo Islands on Aug. 9, 1942.

Bush said the Canberra received its name at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"The president had received word of an exceptional action in battle by the Australian Navy, which was steaming alongside American vessels at Guadalcanal.

"His Majesty's Australian Ship Canberra did not survive the battle, disappearing into the depths where she rests today. There was a great loss of life and much heroism amongst the Australian sailors and marines on board. As a sign of gratitude to those men and to their country, the USS Canberra was commissioned the very next year."

Howard called the gift "a potent symbol of affection" and "a warm gesture" marking the close World War II relationship between the two countries.

"It is not only, therefore, an occasion to recognize the symbolism and importance placed by that symbolism on the association between the two nations, but it is also an opportunity for me to reaffirm on behalf of the Australian government and on behalf of the Australian people," Howard said.

"We value the common things we believe in," such as freedom, democracy, and the idea of an open society, Howard continued.

The Australian prime minister enjoys what he calls a 'special relationship' with the United States, and that relationship is on solid ground despite a few recent trade disputes. He has been largely supportive of the United States' proposed missile defense scheme.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell earlier this year said Australia was one of America's "very, very best friends in the world," partly because the United States has regularly drawn on Australian support over the years.

In 1990, Australia was one of the first nations to lend its support to the U.S.-led military buildup and then intervention in the Persian Gulf, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

Australia sent several naval vessels for non-combative roles to the Gulf, further reinforcing its record of going to war in far away places.

That support continued the military alliance that since World War II has seen Australian soldiers fighting alongside U.S. troops in both Korea and Vietnam.

Australian and U.S. forces were also reunited for peacekeeping duties under a U.N. umbrella in Somalia in 1992.

Currently, the military alliance -- on the surface at least -- amounts to little more than occasional joint naval or military exercises, in addition to Australia providing the real estate for some strategic American listening posts.

The Australian-led international intervention force effort in East Timor in 1999 showed Australia is prepared to have a military role in the region, without the United States calling the shots.