John Rous

President Harry S. Truman (seated at desk) announces that Russia has declared war on Japan. Secretary of State James F. Byrnes is seated in the foreground, and Harry Vaughan is to the right of President Truman. Newsmen are grouped in front of the desk. Donor: New York Herald Tribune.

President Harry S. Truman is shown bestowing the Congressional Medal of Honor on Sergeant Ralph G. Neppel, 21, Glidden, Iowa. Sergeant Neppel is one of 28 soldiers who received this award in the East Room of the White House on this day. Sergeant Neppel lost his legs below the knee in action in Germany, December, 1944. This photo was submitted by the photographer to the third White House News Photographers Photo Contest and is titled "Nation's Highest Honor."