General Richard Myers retired Friday as chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff after four years in office, and General Peter Pace was sworn in as his replacement.

"He led our military to historic achievements in some of the most trying times America has known. And today, he retires with the pride and appreciation of our entire nation," President George W. Bush said at the ceremony.

Richard, who served in the Vietnam War, became chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Before that, he served two years as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commanded the US Space Command, led US air forces in the Pacific, and worked as an assistant to General John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under former President Bill Clinton.

Pace, who had served almost four years as Joint Chiefs of Staff vice chairman before stepping down in August, was the first Marine to serve as US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman.

Source: Xinhua