National Park Service

President Harry S. Truman (third from left) at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia with other unidentified dignitaries.

President Harry S. Truman at his desk in the Oval Office, displaying the National Security Act Amendments of 1949, which he had just signed.

President Harry S. Truman at his desk in the Oval Office, signing H.R. 5632, the National Security Act Amendments of 1949, which converted the National Military Establishment into a new Department of Defense and made other changes in the national security system.

President Harry S. Truman smiles and points to his watch upon arrival in Miami, Florida. He traveled to Miami aboard the presidential airplane, "The Independence," to deliver a speech at the Golden Jubilee Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Others are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman, seated behind his desk, distributes pens he used to sign the National Security Act Amendments bill to assembled on-lookers. From left to right: Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson, unidentified, Congressman Dewey Short, Congressman Carl Vinson, Secretary of the Army Gordon Gray, unidentified, Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington, Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Early, and Secretary of the Navy Francis Matthews.

President Harry S. Truman smiling and pointing to his watch upon his arrival in Miami. He traveled to Miami to deliver a speech at the Golden Jubilee Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The bottom of the photo is inscribed by President Truman: "To Abbie Rowe, a good, careful "one more club" member with kindest regards. Harry S. Truman."

President Harry S. Truman (seated) signs a proclamation declaring into effect the 12-nation North Atlantic Pact. They are in the Oval Office. Witnessing the signing are, from left to right: Sir Frederic Hoyer-Millar of the United Kingdom; Ambassador Henrik de Kauffmann of Denmark; Canadian Embassy Counselor W. D.

President Harry S. Truman (foreground, right) showing Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson (foreground, left) the inside of a book. President Truman and Secretary Johnson were in Miami for the Golden Jubilee Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. All others are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman at his desk in the Oval Office, signing the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 which converted the National Military Establishment into a new Department of Defense and made other changes in the national security system. Standing, from left to right: unidentified Army officer, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson (leaning on desk) General Omar Bradley (mostly obscured by Johnson), unidentified Army officer, Congressman Dewey Short, Congressman Carl Vinson, Secretary of the Army Gordon Gray, unidentified, Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington.

President Harry S. Truman (right) is shown shaking hands with Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson as the president arrives in Miami, Florida to speak at the Golden Jubilee Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Standing directly in back of the two is Under Secretary of Defense Stephen T. Early. Others are unidentified. The presidential airplane, "Independence" is in background.