World War, 1939-1945

Commander Joseph T. O'Callahan, right, of the United States Navy's Chaplain Corps is congratulated by President Harry S. Truman after the President awarded him the Congressional Medal of Honor. This sailor Catholic priest, the first chaplain ever to receive the award, was cited for his efforts after the aircraft carrier USS Franklin was bombed near Japan in March, 1945.

President Harry S. Truman (center at podium) is shown preparing to present the Congressional Medal of Honor to Commander Richard H. O'Kane, Dover, New Hampshire, for bravery shown as commander of the submarine the USS Tang during battle near the Philippine Islands on October 23-24, 1944. The event was held on the White House lawn. Standing on the left is President Truman's Military Aide Harry Vaughan. Standing directly behind Truman is Captain James Vardaman, Naval Aide and to his right is Admiral William Leahy.

In ceremonies held on the White House lawn, President Harry S. Truman, center, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to the two men standing on either side of him. They include U.S. Army Master Sergeant Charles L. McGaha, Cosby, Tennessee, on the left, and U.S. Navy submarine skipper Commander Richard H. O'Kane, Dover, New Hampshire, on the right. The two wounded soldiers in wheelchairs were invited guests to the ceremony. They include left to right: Private First Class Robert Gordon, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Sergeant Joseph Segar, McLean, Virginia.

President Truman is shown awarding the Congressional Medal of Honor to Sergeant Jake Lindsey, Lucedale, Mississippi during an award ceremony held during a joint session of Congress. Sergeant Lindsey is the 100th soldier to receive the award. Watching the ceremony standing on the right behind President Truman is General of the Army George C. Marshall. On the rostrum is Kenneth McKellar, far left, President Pro Tempore of the Senate and on the right Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House. Others in view are not identified.

President Harry S. Truman (center) is shaking hands with U.S. Army Master Sergeant Charles L. McCaha, Cosby, Tennessee, after he presented him the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery shown during battle at Luzon, Philippine Islands on February 7, 1945. The event was held on the White House lawn. Standing to the back left of President Truman is Naval Aide Captain James K. Vardaman and directly behind Truman is Admiral William D. Leahy.

President Harry S. Truman (front row, second from left) awards the Congressional Medal of Honor to World War II veteran Colonel Justice M. Chambers, United States Marine Corps Reserve for gallant action on Iwo Jima, February, 1945. Also present are Secretary of Defense George Marshall (front row, left); Secretary of the U.S. Navy Francis P. Matthews, front row, far right; Marine Commandant General Clifton B. Cates, second row, second from the right; and Presidential Military Aide Harry Vaughan standing in background on far left.

Marine Corps Reserve Colonel Justice M. Chambers of Rockville, Maryland, holds his seven month old twins, Peter and Paul, while President Harry S. Truman (left) is shaking hands with one of the youngsters. President Truman awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to Col. Chambers for gallantry at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, February 19-22, 1945, during World War II. On the right is Mrs. Chambers with their two sons standing beside her and a daughter beside her father directly behind the twin on the left. Behind her is General Clifton B. Cates, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

This is a portrait of Admiral of the Fleet, Osami Nagano of the Japanese Navy. He was charged with Class A war crimes before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo. He died of a heart attack from complications by pneumonia in prison before the conclusion of his trial.

President Harry S. Truman is shown presenting the Congressional Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Sergeant John D. Hawk, Bremerton, Washington. The award ceremony took place during Truman's visit to Washington state. Sergeant Hawk was given this award for bravery in France, August 20, 1944. The award ceremony took place at the state capitol in Olympia, Washington. Washington Governor Monrad C. Wallgren is standing just behind Sgt. Hawk and slightly to the right. Presidential Aide Harry H. Vaughan is partially visible behind them and just behind Truman's hand. Others in view are not identified.

President Harry S. Truman, third from right, is shaking hands and congratulating a group of five Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The nation's highest award for bravery in battle was given to four U.S. Army men and a U.S. Marine Lieutenant in a ceremony on the White House south grounds. The men received the honor for bravery in fighting either on Okinawa, Iwo Jima or in the Philippines during World War II. From left to right: Sergeant Alejandro R. Ruiz, Barstow, Texas; Sergeant Beauford T. Anderson, Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin; Private First Class Dirk J.