Presidential aircraft

President Harry S. Truman's airplane, the "Sacred Cow," on the snowy runway at Washington's National Airport before it departed to carry the President home to Independence, Missouri for Christmas.

President Harry S. Truman waves his hat from the door of his airplane, the "Sacred Cow," as he prepares to leave Washington's National Airport for a Christmas trip home to Independence, Missouri.

President Harry S. Truman's airplane, the "Sacred Cow," on the snowy runway of Washington's National Airport before its departure for a Christmas trip to Independence, Missouri.

President Harry S. Truman waves his hat at spectators in the National Airport in Washington, as he is about to board an Army airplane for his trip to the West Coast of the United States.

From left to right, Rear Admiral James Foskett, Brigadier General Harry Vaughan, and President Harry S. Truman exiting the presidential plane after returning from a vacation in Key West, Florida. From: Harry H. Vaughan.

President Truman accompanied by Mrs. Truman, wave as they pause while boarding the Chief Executive's personal plane, the Sacred Cow, at National Airport for the start of the flight to Independence where they will vote next Tuesday in the Democratic Primary. Same as 59-971, 77-2729. This photo was used by the Trumans' as 1946 Christmas gifts to the White House staff. From: Charles Ross Papers, 12x18 Metal Album.

Waller Field, Trinidad en route to Rio de Janeiro. Shown left to right are: Unidentified lady in white hat, Mrs. Bess Truman in the black hat, Clark Clifford, Margaret Truman and Press Secretary Charles Ross. The presidential airplane Independence can be seen in the background. From: Charles Ross Papers, 12x18 Metal Album.

The aircraft "Sacred Cow" was in service from June 1944 to June 1947 and used by former Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. It was a C-54, piloted by Colonel Henry Myers. The name Sacred Cow was not the official name and the army only used numbers in the naming of planes. The origin of the name is not known.

Captain Cecil C. Adell (right) welcomes Bess, Margaret, and Harry S. Truman to Key West, Florida. Same as photo 64-460. From: Charles Ross Papers, 12x18 metal album.

President Harry S. Truman and General Harry Vaughan boarding the Independence to leave from Washington for Key West, Florida. From: Album from Rear Adm. Robert L. Dennison.