Presidential assassination attempts

White House Police Force members Private Joseph Downs, left, and Private Donald Birdzell, right, are shown seated in wheelchairs while recovering in a Washington, D.C. hospital. They were wounded protecting President Harry S. Truman from an assassination attempt while he was staying at Blair House. Joseph Downs was hit in the chest, abdomen, and thigh; Donald Birdzell was shot in both legs.

Funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery for former U.S. Army Private Leslie Coffelt, who at the time of death was a White House Police Force guard who was killed while protecting President Harry S. Truman from an assassination attempt at Blair House on November 1, 1950.

President Harry S. Truman (center, right) and First Lady Bess W. Truman (center, left) attend the funeral services for White House Police Force guard and former U.S. Army draftee Leslie Coffelt at Arlington National Cemetery. Coffelt was killed while protecting President Harry S. Truman from an assassination attempt at Blair House on November 1, 1950. All others unidentified.

Oscar Collazo, one of two armed men who tried to force their way into the Blair House, President Truman's home, lies sprawled at the entrance after being shot by White House guards. This is an 11 x 14 photo.

Entrance to Blair House where Oscar Collazo fell wounded at the foot of the steps (1); (2) shrubbery where Griselio Torresola was killed; (3) and (4) sentry boxes from which fire was exchanged with attackers; (5) spot where a White House policeman fell fatally wounded. This photos shows the steps of the attempted assassination of President Harry S. Truman. Donor: New York Herald Tribune.

One of the men who tried to force his way into Blair House in an attempt to assassinate President Harry S. Truman, Griselio Torresola, is shown on the ground with his German Luger pistol at his feet. He was killed in the attempt. Donor: New York Herald Tribune.

One of the two armed men who tried to force their way into Blair House, President Harry S. Truman's residence, lies sprawled at the entrance after being felled by White House Guards. He is Oscar Collazo. The other gunman also was felled and three guards wounded (one died) in the exchange of gunfire. Donor: New York Herald Tribune.

President Harry S. Truman (center group, front) and First Lady Bess W. Truman (center group, center) at Arlington National Cemetery, attending funeral services for Private Leslie Coffelt of the White House Police, who was killed while protecting President Truman from an assassination attempt on November 1. Walking behind President and Mrs. Truman are (left to right) General Robert Landry, General Harry Vaughan, and General Wallace Graham. All others are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman (center, right) and First Lady Bess W. Truman (center, left) attend the funeral services for Private Leslie Coffelt at Arlington National Cemetery. Coffelt was killed while protecting President Harry S. Truman from an assassination attempt at Blair House on November 1, 1950. All others unidentified.

Unidentified people attend the funeral services for Private Leslie Coffelt at Arlington National Cemetery. Coffelt was killed while protecting President Harry S. Truman from an assassination attempt at Blair House on November 1, 1950.