Symington, Stuart, 1901-1988

President Harry S. Truman is seated 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 (center) shaking hands with General Hoyt Vandenberg, as Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington (third from right) looks on. President Truman is attending an air show at Andrews Air Force Base. In the background are Admiral Robert Dennison (second from left, back to camera) and General Harry Vaughan (third from left). All others are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (center) using binoculars to observe an aerial display during an air show at Andrews Air Force Base. Standing on the left is Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington. Standing on the right, foreground, is Attorney General Tom Clark. All others are unidentified.

From left to right, unidentified, General Robert Landry, General Wallace Graham (partly obscured by Truman), President Harry S. Truman, unidentified civilian, General Harry Vaughan, Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington, and unidentified others at an air show at Andrews Air Force Base.

President Harry S. Truman at Andrews Air Force Base attending an air show. From left to right, unidentified, Admiral Robert Dennison (mostly obscured), President Truman, General Harry Vaughan, Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington, General Wallace Graham (background, behind Symington), General Robert Landry, two unidentified military officers. All others unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (center) with Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington (second from right) at an air show at Andrews Air Force Base. Standing beside the car are, left to right, General Robert Landry, unidentified, and Admiral Robert Dennison (partly obscured). All others are unidentified.

Secretary of the Army Kenneth C. Royall with former and present members of his staff. Seated, left to right: General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower, Army Chief of Staff; Mr. Royall and William H. Draper, Under Secretary of the Army. Standing, left to right: Mr. W. Stuart Symington, Secretary of Air (Former Assistant Secretary of War for Air); Lieutenant General J. Lawton Collins, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army; and Mr. Edwin W. Pauley, Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. Pentagon Building, Washington, D.C.

President Harry S. Truman in the oval office with four men who received the Medal of Merit. L to R: W. John Kenney, Undersecretary of the Navy; W. Stuart Symington, Secretary of the Air Force; President Truman; James Forrestal, Secretary of Defense; and John L. Sullivan, Secretary of the Navy. Standing in the back on the left is Admiral William D. Leahy. Standing in the back on the right is Eben Ayers. Others are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (middle, third from the right) presenting Medal of Merit to top officials. Standing with President Truman are (from left to right) W. John Kenney, Under-Secretary of Navy; W. Stuart Symington, Secretary of the Air Force; James Forrestal, Secretary of Defense; and John L. Sullivan, Secretary of the Navy. Standing in the back row are Secretary of the Interior Julius Krug (fourth from left); Secretary of State George Marshall (fifth from left); and Admiral William D. Leahy (sixth from left). All others are unidentified.

Missouri Senator Stuart Symington (left) shown talking with three unidentified men at a political gathering for "Christopher for Congress."