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Oral History Interviews

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T V W Y Z

The Truman Library has approximately 500 interviews supplementing the written record of Harry S. Truman's life and times. The interviews are available in transcript form and range in length from fewer than 10 to over 1,000 pages, with most being between 20 and 200 pages. Most of the interviews include a name and subject index attached to the transcript. There is a cumulative index for the entire oral history collection available in the research room at the Library.

The list below gives the name of the person interviewed, his or her principal positions, and the number of pages in the transcript. This list does not include information about specific copyright or donor restrictions. This information is included with the individual interview transcripts. Interviews that were conducted by an oral history program other than the Library's are properly accredited. Interviews with friends, neighbors, and personal associates of Harry S. Truman have been conducted by the National Park Service, and transcripts can be found on their website.

WALLACE, MAY (MARY FRANCES). Sister-in-law and neighbor of Harry S. and Bess Truman. 95 pages.
WALSH, ROBERT K. Reporter, Washington, (D.C.) Evening Star, 1946-69. 208 pages.
WARNE, WILLIAM E. Assistant Secretary of the Interior, 1947-51; Minister in Charge of Technical Cooperation, Iran, 1951-55. 113 pages.
WARREN, EARL. Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, 1948; Chief Justice of the United States, 1953-69. 65 pages.
WARREN, GEORGE L. U.S. representative, General and Executive Committees, International Refugee Organization, 1948-52. 28 pages.
WARREN, WILLIAM FLETCHER. Ambassador to Nicaragua, 1945-47; Ambassador to Paraguay, 1947-50; Director, Office of South American Affairs, Department of State, 1950; Ambassador to Venezuela, 1951-56. Interview conducted by the Oral History Program of East Texas State University, 297 pages.
WEAR, WILLIAM. Springfield, Missouri, attorney; friend and political supporter of Harry S. Truman; son of Sam M. Wear, longtime Truman friend and supporter. 61 pages.
WEATHERFORD, ROBERT P., JR. Mayor of Independence, 1950-58. 51 pages.
WEDDLE, MARGARET Grandview, Missouri, friend of the Truman family. 51 pages.
WEIGLE, RICHARD D. Executive Officer, Office of Far Eastern Affairs, Department of State, 1946-49. 31 pages.
WERTS, LEO R. Director, Manpower Division, U.S. Military Government, Germany, 1945-49; Associate Director, Office of International Labor Affairs, Department of Labor, 1949-50; Deputy Executive Director, Defense Manpower Administration, 1950-53. 66 pages.
WESTPHALL, POVL. Journalist, Denmark. 29 pages.
WESTWOOD, PAUL "MIKE." Member of the Independence Police Department, 1937-73; chauffeur and bodyguard for former President Harry S. Truman, 1953-72. Interview conducted by the William Jewell College Oral History Project, 23 pages.
WHITE, IVAN B. Foreign Service officer, 1935-65; financial officer, U.S. Embassy in Paris, France, 1944-48; Director, Finance and Economics, Allied Military Government, Trieste, Italy, 1948-50. 44 pages.
WIKBORG, ERLING. Member of Parliament, Norway, 1945-49. 31 pages.
WILKINS, FRASER. Foreign Service officer; Assistant Chief, Division of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State, 1946-47; Officer in Charge, Palestine-Israel-Jordan Affairs, Department of State, 1949; Officer in Charge, Arabian Peninsula Affairs, Department of State, 1950; Director, Office of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State, 1950; First Secretary and consul, U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, 1950-52. 85 pages.
WILLIAMS, MAXINE Tenant on the Truman family farm, Grandview, Missouri, 1954-83. 24 pages.
WILSON, EVAN M. Foreign Service officer, 1937-67; Assistant Chief, Division of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State, 1946-47; Second Secretary and vice consul and First Secretary and consul, U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, 1947-49. 84 pages.
WILSON, KEITH, JR. City manager of Independence and acquaintance of Harry S. Truman. 42 pages.
WOOD, C. TYLER. Deputy U.S. Special Representative in Europe, 1950-52; Associate Deputy Director, Mutual Security Agency, 1952-53. 98 pages.
WOODEN, McKINLEY. Member, Battery D, 129th Field Artillery during World War I. Two interviews, 191 pages.
WRIGHT, EDWIN M. Foreign Service officer; Special Assistant to the Director, Bureau of Near Eastern and African Affairs, Department of State, 1946-48. 440 pages.
WYATT, ROBERT B. Grandview, Missouri, friend of the Truman family. 65 pages.