National Park Service

Senator Tom Connally of Texas speaking at an airport ceremony marking the departure of Secretary of State James Byrnes for the Paris Peace Conference, as Secretary Byrnes (back of platform) and others look on. The Paris Peace Conference will consider treaties ending World War II.

Secretary of State James Byrnes speaking at the airport ceremony marking his departure for the Paris Peace Conference, as President Harry S. Truman (rear of platform, left), Senator Tom Connally of Texas (rear of platform, right), and others observe.

President Harry S. Truman speaking at the airport ceremony marking the departure of Secretary of State James Byrnes for the Paris Peace Conference, as Senator Tom Connally of Texas (rear of platform, left), Secretary Byrnes (rear of platform, right), and others observe.

Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan speaking at the airport ceremony marking the departure of Secretary of State James Byrnes for the Paris Peace Conference, as President Truman, Senator Tom Connally of Texas, Secretary Byrnes (back of platform, left to right), and others look on. The Paris Peace Conference will consider treaties ending World War II.

President Harry S. Truman speaking at the airport ceremony marking the departure of Secretary of State James Byrnes for the Paris Peace Conference, as Secretary Byrnes (rear of platform, right), Senator Tom Connally (rear of platform, left) of Texas, and others look on. The Paris Peace Conference will consider treaties ending World War II.

Secretary of State James Byrnes making a statement as he prepares to board an airplane and depart for the Paris Peace Conference in which treaties ending World War II will be considered. President Harry S. Truman (back of platform, left) Senator Tom Connally of Texas (back of platform, right), and others observe.

President Harry S. Truman (left) on the White House lawn shaking hands with Admiral Marc Mitscher (right), commander of the 8th Fleet and wartime commander of Task Force 58, during a ceremony in which the President 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 reading a citation during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in which he 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 Lawn of the White House in which President Harry S. Truman awarded Presidential Unit Citations to eight U.S. Navy aircraft carriers 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.

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.