Mr Howard was hailed by US President George W Bush as a hero before waving to the crowd from the balcony above the South Lawn.
Ceremonial guards from all six of the US military forces lined the South Lawn to welcome Mr Howard and his wife Janette.
The Howards were greeted by US President Bush and his wife Laura before being presented to Vice-President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Mr Howard and Mr Bush then stood to attention as the US Marine Band played the national anthems of both countries, before an inspection of the guard.
During the ceremony, Mr Bush praised Australia's cooperation with the US in the fight against terrorism, global warming, free trade, and security issues including Iran and North Korea.
"The two nations are closer than ever and Americans admire Australia's strong leader," Mr Bush told the crowd.
"Prime Minister John Howard has confirmed our common values. He's strengthened our alliance. He's built on our long history of partnership. I value his counsel. I admire his courage.”
President Bush may be unpopular with the American people at the moment, with opinion polls putting his approval rating at only 29 percent, but Mr Howard described him as a great leader.
"I thank you again, Mr President, for your personal friendship," Mr Howard said.
"I admire the leadership and the courage and the commitment that you have brought to your responsibilities and to your office.
"You have presented a firm leadership to the free world against terrorism."
"I salute your courage and your commitment, your personal decency and your personal leadership of this great democracy and this great country, and I thank you very warmly for all the Australians present for the grace and dignity and genuineness of your welcome."
’He ain't pretty’
During a joint press conference at the White House, Mr Bush outlined the reasons for his close friendship with the Australian prime minister.
In the space of one answer, the president described Mr Howard as bald and no oil painting -- but a terrific leader.
"Somebody said, 'gosh, you and John Howard appear to be so close, don't you have any differences?', and I said, yeah, he doesn't have any hair."
Mr Bush said he did not agree with Mr Howard on everything, but he trusted him.
"He may not be the prettiest person on the block, but when he tells you something you can take it to the bank. He is a reliable partner."
Indonesia discussed
During their talks the two leaders spoke about the crucial role of Indonesia in the fight against terrorism.
"We did have an opportunity to talk extensively about some of the challenges in our immediate region," Mr Howard said after the talks.
"I spoke about the ... the importance of the role of Indonesia, the symbolism and also the tactical consequence of Indonesia being the largest Islamic country in the world," Mr Howard said at a joint press conference with President Bush.
Indonesia has been the epicentre of terrorist attacks in the Asia region, with more than 240 people dying over the past four years in operations blamed on the regional extremist network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and its affiliates.
Aside from terrorism, the two leaders discussed the Iranian and North Korean nuclear crises, the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, the recent violence in East Timor as well as issues such as energy and trade.
'No need for wheat probe'
President Bush also said he's confident there'll be no need for an American parliamentary inquiry into the A$300-million in kickbacks paid to the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein paid by Australian wheat exporter AWB.
Australia’s Cole Inquiry has heard that Australian diplomats in Washington launched a massive lobbying effort on AWB's behalf to head off a US Congressional inquiry into alleged AWB kickbacks.
Mr Bush said he believed the Cole inquiry would be enough.
"My only judgment is that the Howard administration is plenty capable of investigating," the president told reporters.
Mr Howard said the Cole inquiry was likely to report by June 30.
"What the United States Congress does in relation to this is a matter for the United States Congress. Clearly if it decides to do something then we will respond in the appropriate fashion,” Mr Howard said.