Missouri Leadership

Harry S. Truman was born May 8, 1884, in Lamar, Barton County, Missouri. Truman received a formal education in the public schools of Independence, Missouri. Upon graduating, Truman attended the Kansas City School of Law for two years. However, his family faced financial hardships that caused Truman to leave school. Although not graduating with a degree, Truman’s extensive reading taught him about history and the problems of government both locally and nationally.

On July 14, 1905, Harry enlisted with the National Guard, Battery B, Artillery. He was promoted to corporal and then sergeant. By 1917, he was made First Lieutenant of Battery F. In April 1917, America entered World War I.

In March 1918, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, left New York on the Steamship George Washington, and arrived at Brest, France. He was placed in command of Battery D near Rennes, and was made regimental artillery instructor. Captain Truman and his command rendered distinguished service the battle at St. Mihiel and the drive of Meuse-Argonne. Captain Truman participated in the final phase of battle at Meuse-Argonne. On November 11, 1918, his battery fired its last gun at Hammeville at 10:45, fifteen minutes before the official armistice became effective.

It was in Independence, Missouri that he found the love of his life – Elizabeth Virginia Wallace. Elizabeth, known as Bess, married Truman on June 28, 1919. They had one child, a girl they named Mary Margaret.

Upon returning home from the war, he briefly went into business opening a men’s clothing store in Kansas City, Missouri. The agricultural recession that impacted the Midwest devastated many small businesses, including the Truman and Jacobson Haberdashery, causing them to close the store. Harry cut a new path and began a life in politics.

Truman’s political career began locally. His reputation of high moral standards, unselfish public service, and efficiency in using public dollars became well known. While many considered him a candidate for Governor, Truman instead turned his sights to the 1934 election for the open seat in the Senate. He was re-elected in 1940 for a second term.

During the Presidential race in 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt found himself in need of a new Vice President. During the Democratic Convention, Truman was asked to be Vice President. He indicated he appreciated the consideration, but he was happy in the Senate. President Roosevelt was not one to be told “no”. His response, “you tell him that if he wants to break up the Democratic Party in the middle of a war, that’s his responsibility.” Truman’s stunned response, “I’ll do what the President wants.”

Truman took his oath of office to become Vice President of the United States of America on January 20, 1945. Less than three months later,

President Roosevelt died on April 12. Truman became the 33rd President of the United States of America.

On May 7, 1945, Germany signed the documents of unconditional surrender. However, the war with Japan was not done. President Truman made the decision to deploy the atomic bomb, a decision that would be forever discussed, scrutinized, and debated. On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb stuck Hiroshima destroying the city. The second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Five days later, Japan accepted the Allied terms of an unconditional surrender.

Having studied history and lived through wars, Truman was determined not to repeat the past mistakes. He believed that America could provide aid and assistance to those who were defeated. By helping those countries rebuild and become stronger again in peace time efforts, nations could rebuild to become allies beginning what would be known as the Truman-Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe.

After WWII, President Truman would be forced to deal with a new kind of conflict – the Cold War. As Russia tightened its grip, President Truman was also warning of the spread of Communism. When North Korea invaded South Korea, President Truman intervened with U.S. troops.

President Truman decided not to run for President again. Harry and Bess would return to their home in Independence, Missouri. He focused his attention on the creation of the Truman Library and Museum. Truman passed away on December 26, 1972.

Truman was raised in Belton Lodge No. 450, March 9, 1909. In 1911, he helped organize Grandview Lodge No. 618, was Master under dispensation, and was Master under charter. He was elected Grand Master in 1940, while serving as a United States Senator.