Abbie Rowe

President Harry S. Truman speaking from the deck of the Coast Guard cutter Courier, a floating radio transmitter used by the Voice of America. President Truman's speech regarding the Soviet Union and Communism was broadcast over the Voice of America and translated into 45 different languages.

Secretary of State Dean Acheson (front row, left) and Secretary of the Interior Oscar Chapman (front row, right) attending a speech given by President Harry S. Truman from the Coast Guard cutter Courier. President Truman gave a speech transmitted over the Voice of America and directed to countries behind the Iron Curtain. All others are unidentified.

Members of the Coast Guard with the cutter Courier, a floating radio transmitter used to air messages from the Voice of America. President Harry S. Truman gave a speech that was transmitted in part through the Courier.

General Omar Bradley and his wife, Mary E. Bradley. General Bradley had just been sworn in as the Army Chief of Staff.

President Harry S. Truman (middle, third from the right) presenting Medal of Merit to top officials. Standing with President Truman are (from left to right) W. John Kenney, Under-Secretary of Navy; W. Stuart Symington, Secretary of the Air Force; James Forrestal, Secretary of Defense; and John L. Sullivan, Secretary of the Navy. Standing in the back row are Secretary of the Interior Julius Krug (third from the right); Secretary of State George Marshall (second from the right); and Admiral William D. Leahy (right).

The children of Under Secretary of the Navy W. John Kenney and Secretary of the Navy John L. Sullivan in the Oval Office while their fathers receive the Medal of Merit from President Harry S. Truman. Secretary of State George Marshall is on the far right. Others are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (third from the left) with Medal of Merit recipient W. John Kenney (right), Under Secretary of the Navy and his family. With Mr. Kenney are his children Elinor M., Priscilla, and David, and his wife, Elinor (second from the right).

President Harry S. Truman (third from the left) presenting medal of merit to John L. Sullivan (right), Secretary of the Navy. With the President and Secretary Sullivan are Mr. Sullivan's family: children Patricia, Charles, and Deborah, and his wife Priscilla. Standing on the right in the background is General Harry Vaughan.

President Harry S. Truman (left) presenting Medal of Merit to James Forrestal, Secretary of Defense. In the background are Secretary of the Interior Julius Krug (far left) and Admiral William Leahy (between President Truman and Secretary Forrestal).

President Harry S. Truman presenting Medal of Merit to top officials. L to R: W. John Kenney, Under-Secretary of the Navy; W. Stuart Symington, Secretary of the Air Force; President Truman; James Forrestal, Secretary of Defense; and John L. Sullivan, Secretary of the Navy.