Oral Histories

Contents: Listed by last name: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X-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.

• IRVIN, ROBERT L. Investigator, Special Committee of the Senate to Investigate the National Defense Program (Truman Committee), 1942. 134 pages.

• JESSEE, MR. and MRS. RANDALL. Kansas City friends of President and Mrs. Harry S. Truman. 53 pages. Also an interview with Mr. Jessee, conducted by the William Jewell Oral History Project, 39 pages.

• JOHNSON, JENNIE. Participant in Jackson County politics in the 1930s and following; acquaintance of Harry S. Truman. 65 pages.

• JOHNSON, JOSEPH E. Chief, Division of International Security Affairs, Department of State, 1945-47; member, Policy Planning Staff, Department of State, 1947; Deputy U.S. Representative, Interim Committee, U.N. General Assembly, 1948. 125 pages.

• JOHNSON, U. ALEXIS. Consul, Manila, Philippines, 1945; detailed to General Headquarters, Supreme Commander, Allied Powers, Tokyo, Japan, August 1945; consul, Yokohama, Japan, April 1946, consul general, 1947-49; Deputy Director, 1949-51, Director, 1951, Office of Northeast Asian Affairs, Department of State; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, 1951-53. 81 pages.

• JONES, JOHN WESLEY. Foreign Service officer, 1930-71; First Secretary, U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy, 1945-48, and U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain, 1949-53. 102 pages.

• JONES, MARVIN. U.S. War Food Administrator, 1943-45; Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Claims, 1947-64. 397 pages.

• JONES, ROGER W. Assistant Director, Bureau of the Budget, 1945-59. 125 pages.

• JUDD, WALTER H. Member of Congress from Minnesota, 1943-62; U.S. delegate, 12th General Assembly of the United Nations, 1947. 123 pages. Also an interview conducted by the Former Members of Congress Oral History Project, 49 pages.

• KAISER, PHILIP M. Assistant Secretary of Labor for International Affairs, 1949-53. 145 pages.

• KATZ, MILTON. U.S. Special Representative in Europe with rank of Ambassador, 1950-51. 136 pages.

• KAYLE, MILTON P. Special Assistant in the White House Office, 1951-53. 162 pages.

• KEECH, RICHMOND B. Administrative Assistant to the President, 1945-46. 49 pages.

• KEELEY, MARY PAXTON. Journalist and friend of President and Mrs. Harry S. Truman. 58 pages.

• KEENAN, JOSEPH D. International secretary, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 61 pages.

• KELLY, FRANK K. Writer and journalist, speechwriter in the Research Division, Democratic National Committee, 1948. 114 pages.

• KEMPTON, GRETA Portrait painter; creator of official White House portraits of President Harry S. Truman and First Lady Bess Truman. 19 pages.

• KENNEDY, JOHN A. Naval liaison officer with the Special Committee of the Senate to Investigate the National Defense Program (Truman Committee). 71 pages.

• KENNEDY, ROBERT P. Personal chauffeur for Harry S. Truman on Veteran's Day and at the rededication of the Liberty Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri, November 10-11, 1961. 11 pages.

• KENNEY,