The photographs in the National Archives capture some of the most dramatic and defining moments in America’s story. Here at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum – one of 13 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives – we have more than 113,000 images in our collection, many of which depict pivotal moments in the life of one of our greatest presidents, Harry S. Truman.
For the president’s 125th birthday this year, we pored over this collection to find 125 of our favorites, and they are now on display in the exhibit Truman125: A Life in Photographs.
One of my favorite photos in the exhibit appears on his identification badge as a captain in the 129th Field Artillery. The photo was taken in 1918. “Captain Harry” was in France with the American Expeditionary Force.
In the ID photo, Captain Truman appears proud, confident and determined. It is one of the few pictures in which he is not smiling, although he does look rather pleased with himself. Perhaps this is because he had recently fooled the medical examiners who had checked his eyesight.
Like most good photographs, there’s a good story behind the picture.
At a young age, it was discovered that Harry had very poor eyesight. The astigmatism barred him from his dream of attending West Point or Annapolis. Now, after being elected an officer by the men in the Missouri National Guard, he wasn’t going to let his poor vision deny him the opportunity to serve and lead overseas. So he passed the eye exam the only way he could – he cheated.
From a letter to his younger brother, John Vivian, we learn that Harry Truman memorized the entire eye chart prior to his medical examination. Of course, a perfect score on the eye exam didn’t change the fact that Harry couldn’t see without his glasses, and he knew it. Therefore, he took the precaution of purchasing several new pairs of glasses at a New York City optometrist’s office before sailing with his unit for Europe.
You can see Truman’s military ID in Truman125: A Life in Photographs. The exhibit shows our 33rd president from infancy through his final years of retirement in Independence. We see young Harry with his classmates in Independence schools, working on the family farm in Grandview, and campaigning – both for Bess Wallace’s hand and for elective offices.
We also see the president working with cabinet members such as George C. Marshall, Dean Acheson and James Forrestal, meeting with world leaders like Churchill and Stalin, and relaxing with staff and Secret Service personnel at the Little White House in Key West, Fla. Along with the photos in the exhibit are many of the artifacts pictured, including one of Bess Truman’s inaugural gowns.
Next Saturday at the Truman Library, archivist Pauline Testerman will lead our monthly Talkin’ Truman program and share more stories behind “Our Favorite Photos of HST.” The event will take place at 11 a.m. July 11. While you’re visiting, explore Truman125: A Life in Photographs to find your own favorite photos of Harry Truman. The exhibit is on display through Oct. 8.
