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Byrnes, James F. (James Francis), 1882-1972

President Truman congratulates Secretary of State James F. Byrnes after presenting him with the Distinguished Service Medal

Left to right: President Harry S. Truman, Genera George C. Marshall, Secretary of State James F. Byrnes, and General Hap Arnold. President Truman congratulates Secretary of State James F. Byrnes after presenting him with the Distinguished Service Medal for three years of service as Director of the Office of War Mobilization. General George C. Marshall, U. S. Chief of Staff, and General H. H. Arnold, Commanding General, Army Air Forces, seem elated over the award.

James F. Byrnes with President Truman, after being sworn in as Secretary of State

James F. Byrnes, after being sworn in as Secretary of State, is shown kissing the Bible. Left to right, Chief Justice Richard Whaley; Mrs. James Byrnes; James Byrnes; President Harry S. Truman. In the background are President of the Senate Kenneth McKellar, Postmaster General Robert Hannegan and Secretary of Labor Lewis Schwellenbach. From: Beth Gore.

President Truman Reads to the Press Announcement of the Japanese Surrender

President Harry S. Truman in the Oval Office, reading to the assembled members of the press his announcement of the Japanese surrender, officially signaling the war's end. Behind the President seated just to his right are Admiral William D. Leahy, Presidential Chief of Staff, Secretary of State James F. Byrnes and directly behind them, Attorney General Tom Clark. Journalist Vivianne Lovell of Agence France-Presse stands in the striped dress on the left.