USS Harry Truman (CVN 75) - Naval Cruise Book

“" •• " h,. i PRESIDENT OF THE ' UNITED STATES and poll takers, who had almost unanimously predicted his overwhelming defeat. He pulled off the most celebrated upset in American political history. NATO One of Truman ' s first acts during his second term was the signing of the North Atlantic Pact on April 4, 1949. The United States, Canada, and 10 Western European countries signed this defense pact which said, in effect, that an attack on one member would be seen as an attack on all members. In addressing Congress, President Truman announced that " our faith and our strength must be made unmistakably clear to the world. " He considered NATO one of the greatest achievements of his administration, ranking in importance only with the Marshall Plan. Trouble in Korea On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces crossed the 38 " ' parallel into South Korea. Truman met with his new secretary of state Dean Acheson to discuss sending troops into another conflict. The next day, a U.N. force under the charge of General Douglas MacArthur were sent in to aid South Korean forces in repelling the Communist forces. At first, things went badly for the South Korean troops, but aggressive tactical moves by MacArthur aided in pushing the North Koreans back into their own territory. ilm, imTiTni ' i Truman flew to Wake Island in the Pacific to discuss strategies with MacArthur. He made it clear that he wanted the conflict resolved as quickly as possible. MacArthur promised the president " the boys will be home by Christmas. " ^^^ ■ " " " " " ™™ " »^ 1 lopes of a quick end to the conflict were dashed when China entered the war in October. General MacArthur made no secret of his differences with the administration on restrictions placed on him in conducting the war. Truman saw this as a test of his authority as commander-in-chief He relieved MacArthur of command. While the decision was an unpopular one at the time. Congressional hearings and historical analysis of the move vindicated Truman and underscored the courage to stick by his beliefs. responsible for the conflict in Korea. He put his support behind the Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson, who was running against retired general Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower swept the elections and was inaugurated as the 34 " ' president of the United States on Jan. 20, 1953. Shortly after the ceremony, Truman and his wife left by train for Independence. Retirement Years ! In the nearly two decades after he lefit office, Truman devoted much of his time to the founding of the Harry S. Truman Library, just a few blocks from his home in Independence. On the day af\er Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 1 972, Harry S. Truman passed away at a hospital in Kansas City, Mo., at 88. Among the tributes to Truman was one by Mississippi Senator John C. Stennis, who wrote, " He was a man of great strength of character and dedication, and with these qualities he combined an uncommon amount of common sense. He had a fine instinct to sense the right decision. He made sound judgments and carried them out with Going Home Truman made the decision that he would not run for another term. Reporting; home — President Truman returns home to 219 N. There was public Delaware in Independence, Mo., after one of his constitutionals, perception that he was or morning walks. ”