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| Harry S. Truman in World War I Uniform (77-4) |
Last month, Over There project staff visited the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, and gained insight into the modest background of one of the United States’ most notable presidents.
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| Portrait of Harry S. Truman as a baby (72-3413) |
Harry Truman remained an only child until 1886, when his brother, John Vivian, was born. Truman became a brother again in 1889, with the birth of his sister Mary Jane. The expansion of the family did not hinder the relationship Truman had with his mother; though Truman got along with everyone, he and his mother were especially close. Mattie would do anything to benefit Truman, even when it proved expensive. Around the age of five, it became apparent to Mattie that her eldest son had poor eyesight. Mattie insisted on correcting Truman’s sight and took him to an optometrist in Kansas City where she agreed to purchase eyeglasses for $10, an expensive transaction for the time.
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| Harry with glasses, age 13 (62-412) |
Shortly after the procurement of his glasses, Truman’s family moved to Independence where he could attend a proper school. Truman was a happy child who was interested in school and received decent marks. However, in 1894, diphtheria interrupted Truman’s education. Though his brother John Vivian contracted the disease and recovered quickly, over time, Truman’s condition deteriorated. David McCullough writes in his biography, Truman, “[Truman] became paralyzed in his legs and arms and could only lie helplessly.” After several months of concern, Truman made a phenomenal recovery and returned to his normal way of life. Besides the anxiety over Truman’s health, his progress at school halted because of his absence. With extensive tutoring through the summer, Truman covered so much material that he not only advanced to the third grade but was able to skip it.
Truman continued his trend of being bright and interested. Unlike many boys of his age, Truman attended high school where he was well liked but not exceptionally studious. In 1901, Truman graduated from high school but thoughts of attending a college were quickly smothered. After making some poor business decisions, Truman’s father could not recover from a loss. To provide for his family, John Truman moved his family to Kansas City where he took a job as a watchman at a grain elevator. With the family under financial strain, Truman worked at the mailroom at the Kansas City Star to supplement their income. After a short time in the newspaper’s mailroom, a construction timekeeper position at the Santa Fe Railroad became available; Truman took advantage of the vacancy.
In 1903, Truman was presented with another job opportunity, one he seemed better suited for, at the National Bank of Commerce where he was hired as a clerk in the vault. Truman spent his days clearing checks drawn on country banks and keeping notations. His supervisors described him as bright and dedicated; in time, these qualities helped him earn $40 a month, a wage double what his father was earning at the grain elevator.
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| Harry S. Truman in His National Guard Uniform (79-25) |
In 1917, with the entrance of the United States in World War I, Truman joined the Missouri National Guard and became an officer. After federalization, the regiment, then known as the 129th Field Artillery Regiment of the Thirty-fifth Division, began training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in September of the same year. While at Fort Sill, Truman ran a successful canteen that ultimately won him a promotion.
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| Harry S. Truman, in World War I Uniform (82-362-05) |
As Captain, Truman landed in France in April 1918 and completed rigorous training at the School of Fire in Montigny-sur-Aube. Upon conclusion of the program, Truman rejoined his regiment and took command of Battery D. In this capacity, Truman proved his natural ability as a leader. In late August 1918, Truman demonstrated his leadership skills in the Vosges Forest. The encounter is referred to as the "Battle of Who Run". While in an area designated as a quiet sector, soldiers came under enemy fire and fled. Because of his ability to take control in the calamitous situation, the remaining soldiers immediately gave him the respect and attention he deserved.
The Battle of Who Run gave Truman’s military experience a jumpstart but it would not reach its apex until late September 1918. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive began on the morning of September 26 and 129th Field Artillery was there to take part. Truman’s main task was to direct barrages from forward observation posts while advancing with Battery D. Truman later described the combat experience during the offensive as “terrific.” As the war ended, the 129th Field Artillery, positioned near Verdun, continued firing barrages until November 11.
Truman’s regiment remained in France until the next spring and returned to the United States in May 1919, but Truman’s military connections did not cease when he returned to civilian life. Truman joined the Officers Reserve Corps where he rose to the rank of Colonel. Like his younger days with the National Guard, he attended encampments into the 1930s. At the advent of World War II, Truman even offered to return to active duty but Army Chief of Staff, General George C. Marshall declined his offer due to his age. In addition, Truman was an active member of the American Legion in Independence.
Following nine years of courtship, one month after returning from the war, Truman married Elizabeth Wallace. Truman had met Wallace as a six-year-old in Independence at the First Presbyterian Church Sunday School but it was not until 1910 that the courtship began. Their only child, Margaret, was born in February 1924.
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| Harry and Bess Truman Wedding (73-1668) |
Much like the military, Truman’s excitement over politics started at a young age. Politics were the foundation of Truman’s relationship with his father, a staunch democrat. Truman’s military experience also heavily influenced his political career. From the honing of his leadership skills to the development of his associates, Truman credited the military for his political success. The first political position held by Truman was a judgeship of the Jackson County Court, which he obtained in 1922. In 1924, Truman was defeated for re-election but he later regained the position in 1926.
In 1934, Truman began receiving state and national recognition with his election to the United States Senate. As a senator, Truman served on committees responsible for military appropriations and policy. His knowledge of the military contributed to the success of the Senate Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program during World War II and gave him the national boost necessary to obtain the nomination of Vice President with President Franklin Roosevelt.
On January 20, 1945, Truman took the vice-presidential oath. Eighty-two days later, upon the death of President Roosevelt, Vice President Truman took the oath of office as the thirty-third President of the United States. During his presidency, Truman once again relied on the leadership credentials discovered and developed by his role as officer in combat. His stance on certain aspects of politics and his position on proposed legislation reflected his ties with the American Legion and his military experience. These positions were popular enough for President Truman to win reelection in 1948.
In January 1953, President Truman retired from politics and left Washington for his home in Independence. In 1957, President Truman founded his Presidential Library, a repository developed for the preservation of his books, documents, and photographs. On December 26, 1972, President Truman died. He was laid to rest in the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum Courtyard.
On January 20, 1945, Truman took the vice-presidential oath. Eighty-two days later, upon the death of President Roosevelt, Vice President Truman took the oath of office as the thirty-third President of the United States. During his presidency, Truman once again relied on the leadership credentials discovered and developed by his role as officer in combat. His stance on certain aspects of politics and his position on proposed legislation reflected his ties with the American Legion and his military experience. These positions were popular enough for President Truman to win reelection in 1948.
In January 1953, President Truman retired from politics and left Washington for his home in Independence. In 1957, President Truman founded his Presidential Library, a repository developed for the preservation of his books, documents, and photographs. On December 26, 1972, President Truman died. He was laid to rest in the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum Courtyard.
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| Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum |
For more information regarding the life of Harry S. Truman, please visit the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, in Independence, Missouri.
Bibliography
Bibliography
Huston, James A. A Historical Sketch of Captain Harry S. Truman C.O. of Battery D, 129th Field Artillery, 35th Division, in World War I. Horton, KS: 35th Division Association, 1949.
Kirkendall, Richard S., ed. The Harry S. Truman Encyclopedia. 2 vols. Boston: G K Hall, 1990.
Lee, Jay M. The Artilleryman. Kansas City, MO: Press of Spencer Printing Company, 1920.
McCullough, David. Truman. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.
Truman, Harry S. “Harry S. Truman, Full-length, in World War I Uniform, by Stafford Car.” 1917. 82-262-05. Harry S. Truman Presidential Library andMuseum, Independence, MO.
Truman, Harry S. “Harry S. Truman in his National Guard uniform.” 1905. 79-25. Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Independence, MO.
Truman, Harry S. “Harry S. Truman in World War I Uniform.” 1918. 77-4. Harry S. Truman Presidential Library andMuseum, Independence, MO.
Truman, Harry S. “Harry with glasses, age of thirteen.” 1897. 62-412. Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Independence, MO.
Truman, Harry S. “Portrait of Harry S. Truman as a baby (toe in hand).” 1884. 72-3413. Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Independence, MO.
