Presidents

President Harry S. Truman (center) shakes hands with Howard Bruce (left), Elk Ridge, Maryland, and Harry Hopkins (right), presidential advisor, after he had decorated them with the Distinguished Service Medal during a ceremony on the White House lawn. They are last civilians to receive this honor, bestowed for their part in the war effort. Donor: Clinton A. Brown

President Harry S. Truman (left) turns to comment to daughter, Margaret, as they exit the car outside their home in Independence, Missouri. Donor: Clinton A. Brown

President Harry S. Truman (left) receives a new telegraph key, to be used for absentee opening of distant expositions, celebrations, bridges and such from the White House, during presentation by A. N. Williams (right) President of Western Union Telegraph Company. Donor: Clinton A. Brown

President Harry S. Truman (left) speaks with reporters upon his return from a weekend on Jefferson Island in Chesapeake Bay. He told the unidentified newsmen gathered on the South Portico of the White House that he takes full responsibility for future development and use of the atomic bomb. Donor: Clinton A. Brown

President Harry S. Truman (left) talks with Henry Laussucq, 62-year-old Pittsburgh artist (right), during an interview at the White House. Also present is Major General William J. Donovan (center), Office of Strategic Services chief for whom Laussucq operated as advance underground agent in France in preparation for D-Day. The President gave Laussucq his personal congratulations on a job well done.

President Harry S. Truman (right) waves as he boards the "Sacred Cow," the special presidential plane, for a trip to Independence, Missouri. From left to right: Senator Alben W. Barkley, First Lady Bess W. Truman, Representative Noble J. Gregory, and President Truman. Donor: Clinton A. Brown

President Harry S. Truman (standing, foreground)prepares to throw out a baseball at a baseball game between the St. Louis Browns and the Washington Senators. Also present is President Truman's Press Secretary, Charles Ross (seated, right). All others are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (right), accepts a farewell kiss from his mother, Mrs. Martha E. Truman (92) as he prepares to leave Grandview, Missouri for Washington, D.C. Donor: Clinton A. Brown

President Harry S. Truman (seated, waving hat) acknowledges greetings from the shore as the USS Augusta arrives in Antwerp, Belgium. President Truman and his party are en route to the Potsdam Conference. Seated on President Truman's left is Press Secretary Charles Ross. Standing behind President Truman, from left to right, are Captain James Vardaman, Secretary of State James Byrnes (partly obscured), and Admiral William Leahy. All others are unidentified.

Left to right: Secretary of State James Byrnes, General Harry Vaughan (standing), and President Harry S. Truman on the USS Augusta, approaching Antwerp, Belgium. They are en route to the Potsdam Conference. Others in the background are unidentified.