Born at Lamar, Barton County, Missouri. In 1888 the family moved to Independence, Missouri. Served in the National Guard 1905 to 1911. Worked on the family farm 1906 to 1917.

In 1917 he was commissioned first lieutenant in the Missouri National Guard. He went to France as a captain and took part in offensives in 1918. He was discharged in 1919 with the rank of major.

Married Elizabeth Virginia "Bess" Wallace. Mary Margaret Truman was their only child.

Elected judge of the Jackson County Court and served 1922 to 1924. Elected to the United States Senate and served January 3, 1935, to January 17, 1945. Truman was nominated for Vice President in 1944 and won under President Franklin Roosevelt. He was inaugurated Vice President January 20, 1945. Roosevelt died and Truman succeeded him as 33rd President April 12, 1945.

Germany surrendered ending the war in Europe May 8, 1945. Truman ordered the bombing of Hiroshima August 5, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9. The Japanese surrender was signed September 2, 1945.

Truman was nominated for reelection in 1948. The opinion polls showed him behind Governor Thomas Dewey of New York. Early returns and newspapers gave the victory to Dewey. When the final votes were counted, Truman won reelection. Although the constitution would have allowed a third term, on March 29, 1952, Truman announced that he would not run for reelection. He died in Kansas City, Missouri.

Truman appears on the Presidential Medal (USM 132). The obverse was by John Ray Sinnock and reverse by Gilroy Roberts.

Truman appears on the Assay Commission Medal for 1948 (AC-93). The obverse was by John Sinnock; reverse was by Frank Gasparro.

In 1984 a medal was produced honoring the 100th anniversary of the birth of Truman. The gold medal was presented to Margaret Truman Daniel March 26, 1985. Bronze copies of the 1.5 inch medal (USM 681) were sold by the mint. The obverse was designed by Mathew Peloso; reverse was by John Mercanti. Truman appears on the presidential dollar coin released February 5, 2015. The obverse was sculpted and engraved by Don Everhart.

bio:BDC; BDEB; ConAut 37R; EAB; Failor; NCAB 57; WAB; WWWA-5

obit: CW 1/10/73