Military ceremonies, honors, and salutes

President Harry S. Truman, center, decorates a soldier during a Congressional Medal of Honor presentation ceremony in the East Room of the White House, as other recipients and guests look on. In the background, standing directly in front of the candelabra, is Press Secretary Charles Ross. Standing in front of the flag, leaning over the table of medals is Major General Harry Vaughan. All others are unidentified.

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."

President Harry S. Truman, center, is shown awarding the Congressional Medal of Honor to one of the 28 recipients (left) who received the award in the East Room of the White House in front of family and dignitaries. The man standing behind the desk is Major General Harry Vaughan. The dignitaries seated in the front row on the right are (from right to left): Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal; Secretary of War Henry Stimson; unidentified man; General George C. Marshall; Fleet Admiral William Leahy; and General Henry "Hap" Arnold. A group of photographers are visible behind the President.

Leadership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (HATO) participate in a military review in Naples, Italy. Standing alone in front is Admiral William Morrow Fechteler, Commander in Chief, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Southern Europe. He and others salute as the colors go by. All others are unidentified.

Commander in Chief Admiral William M Fechteler, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Southern Europe (second from left) reviews an honor guard with soon-to-be replacement Admiral Robert P. Briscoe (third from left) during a change of command ceremony. All others are unidentified.

Military and civilians officials are gathered on the grounds at NATO's SHAPE, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Southern Europe, in Naples, Italy. All are unidentified.

Commander in Chief Admiral William M Fechteler, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Southern Europe (second from left) reviews an honor guard with soon-to-be replacement Admiral Robert P. Briscoe (third from left) during a change of command ceremony. All others are unidentified.

Members of the Italian Army march in review for Commander in Chief Admiral William Fechteler, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Southern Europe (standing foremost among military on the left) and others in Italy. Also present is Major General Frank N. Roberts (in dark glasses directly behind him). All others are unidentified.