Lived

May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972

Home State

Missouri

Party

Democratic

Vice President

Alben W. Barkley

Harry S. Truman became President upon FDR's death and made the fateful decision to use atomic weapons against Japan, ending World War II. He launched the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine, desegregated the armed forces, recognized Israel, and led the United States into NATO and the Korean War. His seizure of the steel mills in 1952 was struck down in Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer. He left office deeply unpopular over Korea but is now credited with building the postwar international order. Missouri farmer, artillery captain in World War I, county judge, U.S. Senator (led the Truman Committee investigating war-production waste), Vice President under FDR for 82 days.

No college; briefly attended Kansas City Law School.

Authorized the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Signed the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine. Signed Executive Order 9981 desegregating the armed forces. Recognized the State of Israel eleven minutes after its founding. Led the U.S. into NATO and the Korean War. Fired General MacArthur, reasserting civilian control of the military. Signed the National Security Act (1947), the Marshall Plan / Economic Cooperation Act (1948), and the McCarran Internal Security Act (1950, over his veto).

The use of atomic weapons remains historically contested. Seized the steel mills in 1952 — struck down in Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer. Left office deeply unpopular over Korea.