The leader visited Brooke Army Medical Centre in San Antonio after spending New Year's Eve at his Texas ranch with his wife, First Lady Laura Bush.
He met with 51 wounded soldiers at the centre.
"I'm just overwhelmed by the great strength of character of not only those who have been wounded, but of their loved ones, as well," said Mr Bush.
The president is expected to embark on a less ambitious political agenda in 2006.
In his final weekly radio address of 2005, Mr Bush outlined his goals for the new year, including the establishment of a free and independent Iraq and maintaining US economic growth.
"I've been thinking long and hard about 2006. My hopes, of course, are for peace around the world. I'll continue to work as hard as I can to lay that foundation for peace," Mr Bush said following the visit to the injured soldiers.
Goodbye 2005
The ongoing unrest in Iraq, the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, a probe into whether his White House outed a CIA agent and sliding poll ratings all plagued the president during 2005.
In recent weeks the leaked revelation that Mr Bush authorised a secret eavesdropping and wiretapping program in 2002 has also caused controversy on Capitol Hill.
This year his Republican party faces key congressional elections in which it hopes to retain its grip over Congress.
He is likely retain control over the Republican agenda, but, according to The Los Angeles Times, has been "chastened by the experience and eager to play it safe … Republicans now are preparing for a new year of thinking small."