The Rarely Recognized Courage of Harry S. Truman

A look at President Truman as he alienates many voters in an election year by standing up for the rights of minority groups.

President Harry Truman (Wikimedia Commons)

The courage and leadership of President Harry S. Truman (D-Missouri) is an aspect about him that is not discussed often enough. Historians seem to talk about three things when it comes to Truman:

1. He was the third Vice President of Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-New York) who ascended to the presidency when FDR died.
2. He made the controversial decision to drop the atom bombs on Japan.
3. He fired General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War.

But I really want to discuss his leadership and one outstanding example of his courage.

Early leadership in WWI

After being rejected for entry to the United States Military Academy at West Point due to his poor eyesight, Harry Truman joined the Missouri National Guard in 1905, at the age of 21, and only passed the eye exam because he memorized the eye chart and thus passed with flying colors. He served in an artillery regiment for several years and ultimately gained the rank of corporal.