Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler met with Obama in the Oval Office on Thursday.
President Obama called the three young Americans who thwarted an attack on a Paris-bound train "the very best of America" as he hosted them at the White House on Thursday.
Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler met with Obama in the Oval Office.
Read: 3 Americans Honored For Stopping Gunman in Paris Attack: 'It Was Either Do Something or Die'
"Because of their courage, because of their quick thinking, because of their team work, it's fair to say a lot of people were saved and a real calamity was averted," the president said.
"They represent the best of America, American character and it's these kinds of young people that make me extraordinarily optimistic and hopeful about our future."
He added: "We just wanted to say thank you to them not only for saving so many lives but also for making America look so good."
The trio has been widely praised for their actions to stop the attack on the passenger train last month.
With the help of a British businessman and a French-American, the three friends subdued a man who allegedly boarded the train with a Kalashnikov, a pistol and a box cutter.
Read: Hero Who Stopped Terrorist Attack in France Wows on 'Dancing With the Stars' With Fox Trot
They have appeared on late-night talk shows, earned France's highest honor from President Francois Hollande and Skarlatos is now appearing on Dancing With the Stars.
Watch Below: American Hero Who Stopped French Terrorist Joins Dancing With the Stars
