"Getting Harry In The 50's"

Author: Jeff Little

The beginning of the 1950's was, to say the least, quite harry (a.k.a. stressful, tense, nerve-racking). Fortunately, the United States had a Harry. Harry S. Truman, thirty-third President of the United States.

Born May 8, 1884 in Lamar, Missouri, Truman had already made several indelible marks on the pages of history long before the 50's had begun. Stepping up from Vice President to President upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt (April 12, 1945), Truman added to his already impressive list of achievements.

● 1917 - Became Captain of 129th Field Artillery during World War I (later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel).

● 1922 - Elected Judge of the Jackson County (Missouri) Court.

● 1926 - Elected Presiding Judge of the Jackson County (Missouri) Court.

● 1934 - Elected to the United States Senate.

● 1940 - Re-elected to the United States Senate. Appointed chairman of Senate Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program (where he was appropriately tough on corporate profiteers).

● 1941 - 1942 - Sought to return to active military duty after the outbreak of World War II (was refused due to his age).

● 1945 - Became thirty-fourth Vice President of the United States.

And after becoming President he:

● 1945 - Concluded the war in Europe. Ordered the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan (ending World War II).

● 1947 - Approved "The Marshall Plan" to re-construct Europe. Aided in reconstructing Japan. Adopted "The Truman Doctrine" in order to "contain" communist aggression (began the "Cold War").

● 1948 - Was re-elected President of the United States (despite some premature reports from press sources that he had been defeated).

All before 1950.

And as the 50's began, it soon became apparent that Truman was far from done. Harry still had some notes to add to the history books.

Our then President started the decade with a bang (or several) by revealing, on January 31, 1950, that he had ordered the Atomic Energy Commission to develop the hydrogen bomb . Then, in June, 1950, Truman gave us a preview of coming events (like Vietnam) by fostering U.S. involvement in The Korean War, which lasted until July of 1953 (ending under President Dwight D. Eisenhower) and signaled the end of President Harry S. Truman's public life.

But before he mostly left our sight, Truman still (all in 1950):

● Relieved General Douglas MacArthur as commander of American and U. N. forces in the Far East on April 11.

● Proclaimed a state of national emergency following the entry of Communist China into the Korean "conflict" on November 6.

● Proved that a world leader is still a human being by writing a personal letter to music critic Paul Hume concerning his "lousy review" of a recital given by Truman's daughter Margaret. The president's strong language caused public controversy. (The majority of the opinions were in Harry's favor.)

A tumultuous life? Yes.

A history-changing existence? Yes.

A set-up for the tepid Eisenhower Administration (when Americans yearned for a chance to just catch their breath)? Ohhh, yes.

For right or wrong, Truman's life affected millions (if not billions) of others.

"Give 'em Hell Harry."