Award presentations

Secretary of State James Byrnes, Mrs. Maude Byrnes, and Secretary of the Treasury John Snyder at a White House ceremony in which President Harry S. Truman awarded Presidential Unit Citations to eight U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. The aircraft carriers honored were the BELLEAU WOOD, BUNKER HILL, CABOT, ESSEX, HORNET, LEXINGTON, SAN JACINTO, and YORKTOWN.

President Harry S. Truman (center) posing on the White House lawn with eight U.S. Navy officers from eight U.S. Navy aircraft carriers receiving Presidential Unit Citations for their heroic service during World War II. The aircraft carriers honored were the BELLEAU WOOD, BUNKER HILL, CABOT, ESSEX, HORNET, LEXINGTON, SAN JACINTO, and YORKTOWN. Others in the photo are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (center) shaking hands with guests on the White House lawn in a ceremony in which he presented Presidential Unit Citations to eight U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. The aircraft carriers honored were the BELLEAU WOOD, BUNKER HILL, CABOT, ESSEX, HORNET, LEXINGTON, SAN JACINTO, and YORKTOWN. Others in photo are unidentified.

A military band playing and troops standing at attention on the South Lawn of the White House, with the Washington Monument in the background, during a ceremony at which President Truman awarded Presidential Unit Citations to eight U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. The aircraft carriers honored were the BELLEAU WOOD, BUNKER HILL, CABOT, ESSEX, HORNET, LEXINGTON, SAN JACINTO, and YORKTOWN.

Ceremony on the South Grounds of the White House in which President Harry S. Truman awarded the Presidential Unit Citations to eight U.S. Navy aircraft carriers for their heroic service during World War II. The aircraft carriers were the BELLEAU WOOD, BUNKER HILL, CABOT, ESSEX, HORNET, LEXINGTON, SAN JACINTO, and YORKTOWN

President Harry S. Truman (center) on the White House lawn with eight United States Navy officers from eight aircraft carriers that received Presidential Unit Citations for their heroic service during World War II - the BELLEAU WOOD, BUNKER HILL, CABOT, ESSEX, HORNET, LEXINGTON, SAN JACINTO, and YORKTOWN. Officers are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (center) with eight U.S. Navy officers from eight aircraft carriers receiving Presidential Unit Citations for their heroic service during World War II (the BELLEAU WOOD, BUNKER HILL, CABOT, ESSEX, HORNET, LEXINGTON, SAN JACINTO, and YORKTOWN). Officers are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (left) shaking hands with Admiral Marc Mitscher (right), commander of the 8th Fleet and wartime commander of Task Force 58, during a ceremony taking place at the White House in which President Truman awarded Presidential Unit Citations to eight U.S. Navy aircraft carriers for their heroic service during World War II.

President Harry S. Truman shaking hands with Lieutenant Donald A. Gary as he presents him with the Medal of Honor. Others in the background are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman joining hands with four servicemen he has just decorated with the Medal of Honor: (left to right) Sergeant John R. McKinney, First Lieutenant Daniel W. Lee, President Truman, Lieutenant Donald A. Gary, and Commander Joseph T. O'Callahan.