WASHINGTON (November 6, 2009)--President Barack Obama spent nearly two hours Friday visiting wounded U.S. soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Mr. Obama met with 19 soldiers being treated there, as well as the families of three soldiers in intensive care, and hospital staff.

He also awarded two Purple Hearts.

The president's visit came a day after an Army psychiatrist who once trained at Walter Reed hospital killed 13 people at Fort Hood.

The White House said the hospital visit was planned before the shootings.

Friday's visit was Mr. Obama's first to Walter Reed since he took office, although he visited as a presidential candidate.