Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum



Most Recently Declassified Material from the
Harry S. Truman Papers

Opened April, 2003

The Truman Library released approximately 1,100 pages of previously declassified material from the Harry S. Truman Papers in early 2003.

The newly available documents date primarily from the later years of Truman administration. The majority of the documents were generated by the National Security Council. However, researchers will also find correspondence between the White House and the Secretary of Defense's office, budget information (FY 1953, 1954), briefing books from conferences (e.g. Truman-Attlee talks, 1950), and Cabinet memoranda.

All of the documents are from Truman Papers: President's Secretary's Files (PSF). This collection was created by President Truman's personal secretary, Rose Conway, to keep several categories of documents, including the most sensitive ones that came to his desk, in a special file near the Oval Office. The series (or subseries) below are the same as those used in the President's Secretary's Files.

President's Secretary's Files: Subject File:


DOCUMENT DESCRIPTIONS

PAGES

PSF: Subject File: Agencies (italized entries are folder titles)

Congress -- Messages to
  Memorandum from Omar Bradley and others to the Secretary of Defense, July 17, 1950
1
  Memorandum from the Secretary of Defense to the President, undated
1
  "Suggested Language for Insertion in the President's Message," with attachment, undated
4
Economic Cooperation Administration-Increase in Defense Expenditures in France and Italy in FY 1952, Etc.
  "Increase in Defense Expenditures in France and Italy in Fiscal Year 1952," undated
7
  "Projection of Internal Accounts With and Without Economic Assistance" and "Estimated Military Expenditures," August 15, 1951
4
Stockpiling
  Letter from William Hassett to the Secretary of Defense, November 6, 1951, with attachments
5
   
PSF: Subject File: Bureau of the Budget (italized entries are folder titles)
Budget-FY 1953
  Letter from Robert Lovett to Frederick Lawton, December 17, 1951
2
  Memorandum from Frederick Lawton to the President, December 28, 1951, with attachments
5
  "Department of the Air Force-Fiscal Year 1953 Budget"
1
  "Department of the Navy-Fiscal Year 1953 Budget"
1
  "Department of the Army-Fiscal Year 1953 Budget"
1
Budget-Preview-1954-New Obligational Authority
  "1954 Budget Preview-New Obligational Authority," undated
3
(oversize)
Budget-Table XIX-Summary of 1954 Budget Recommendations-Mutual Security Program
  "Table 19-Summary of 1954 Budget Recommendations, Mutual Security Program," undated
3
(oversize)
  "Key Issues Between BOB and DMS on Mutual Security Program," undated
3
   
PSF: Subject File: Cabinet (italized entries are folder titles)
Defense, Secretary of-Reports
  "Report of the Secretary of Defense's Ad Hoc Committee on Biological Warfare," July 11, 1949
41
Army, Secretary of the
  "British and Turkish Views on International Situation" by William H. Draper, Jr., undated
2
War, Secretary of
  Memorandum from James Webb to the President on military expenditures, undated
2
State, Secretary of [2 of 2]
  Memorandum by Dean Acheson on Korea, Germany, and Other Topics, October 9, 1950
3
  Memorandum from Dean Rusk to the Secretary of State, January 19, 1951
4
   
PSF: Subject File: Conferences (italized entries are folder titles)
Truman-Attlee Talks, December 1950-Briefing Book
  "Korea"
2
  "Truman-Attlee Talks-Korea"
3
  "Korea"
2
  "Briefing Book for Prime Minister Attlee's Visit-Table of Contents"
2
  "Prime Minister Attlee's Visit-Schedule of Arrangements"
4
  "Suggested Agenda," December 3, 1950
1
  "Overall Statement of Problem Involved," undated
5
  "The Political Situation in Great Britain," undated
2
  Telegram from Holmes to the Secretary of State, December 3, 1950
6
  "Soviet Objectives in the Current Situation," undated
2
  "Soviet Intentions in the Current Situation," undated
3
  "Korea," undated
2
  "China," undated
3
  "Formosa Question in the United Nations General Assembly," undated
1
  "Indochina-Implications of Chinese Action," undated
3
  "Japan-To Be Discussed," undated
1
  "Japan-Background," undated
3
  "Use of Atomic Bomb," undated
1
  "Effect of Far East on Western European Defense Preparations," undated
1
  "European Defense Arrangements Including German Participation," undated
1
  "Acceleration of North Atlantic Defense Preparations," undated
1
  "Great Britain's Expanded Military Program," undated
2
  "Raw Materials Problems," undated
4
  "Raw Materials Problems-Summary," undated
3
  "Raw Materials Problems," undated
6
  "Suspension of ECA Aid to the United Kingdom," undated
3
  "Soviet Proposal for a Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers," undated
5
  "UK Delegation-Background Sketches: Clement Attlee, Robert Hall, Sir Roger Makins, Sir Edwin Plowden, Robert Scott, Field Marshal Sir William Slim," undated
6
  Telegram from Holmes to the Secretary of State, December 3, 1950
4
   
PSF: Subject File: Foreign Affairs (italized entries are folder titles)
Sweden
  Memorandum from Dean Acheson to the President on the Visit of Prime Minister Erlander, April 11, 1952, with attachments
5
   
PSF: Subject File: National Security Council (italized entries are folder titles)
Determinations-No. 1
  Memorandum from the President to the Executive Secretary of the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Latin America, September 29, 1951, with attachments
37
  Memorandum from the President to the Executive Secretary of the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Latin America, September 29, 1951, with attachments
6
  Memorandum from Acting Executive Secretary S. Everett Gleason to the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Latin America, June 27, 1951, with attachments
7
  Memorandum from the President to the Executive Secretary of the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Egypt, September 13, 1951, with attachments
15
  Memorandum from the President to the Executive Secretary of the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Indonesia, September 13, 1951, with attachments
10
  Memorandum from the President to the Executive Secretary of the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Iran, September 13, 1951, with attachments
19
  Memorandum from the President to the Executive Secretary of the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Israel, September 13, 1951, with attachments
10
  Memorandum from Executive Secretary James S. Lay, Jr. to the NSC regarding Soviet-bloc trade with Jordan, September 27, 1951, with attachments
6
  Memorandum from the President to the Executive Secretary of the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Libya, September 13, 1951, with attachments
9
  Memorandum from the President to the Executive Secretary of the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Pakistan, September 19, 1951, with attachments
11
  Memorandum from the President to the Executive Secretary of the NSC regarding Soviet- bloc trade with Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, September 27, 1951, with attachments
24
Determinations-2-6
  Second Supplement to NSC Determination No. 5, regarding India, undated
6
Determinations-7-17
  Supplement to NSC Determination No. 7, regarding Burma, undated
5
  NSC Determination No. 11, regarding Iceland, September 10, 1951, with attachments
25
Determinations-18-21
  Supplement to NSC Determination No. 18, regarding NATO, undated
2
  Supplement to NSC Determination No. 19, regarding the Federal Republic of Germany and Western Berlin, undated
3
  Supplement to NSC Determination No. 21, regarding Soviet-bloc trade with Latin America, undated, with attachments
32
Memorandum Approvals-604
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the President, January 18, 1952
1
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC, January 18, 1952
1
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC regarding congressional publication of information of advantage to foreign governments, December 12, 1951, with attachments
4
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC regarding congressional publication of information of advantage to foreign governments, December 12, 1951, with attachments
5
Memorandum Approvals-622
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC regarding public statements with respect to certain American weapons, March 28, 1952
1
Memorandum Approvals-637
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC regarding stockpiling of aviation gasoline in Turkey, April 18, 1952, with attachments
11
Memorandum Approvals-696
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC regarding an early warning system, December 16, 1952, with attachments
4
  Letter from Acting Administrator J. J. Wadsworth of the Federal Civil Defense Administration to James Lay, Jr., December 18, 1952
1
  Memorandum from Mutual Security Director W. A. Harriman to the Executive Secretary of the NSC, December 22, 1952
1
  Memorandum from Secretary of State Dean Acheson to the Executive Secretary of the NSC, December 22, 1952
2
  Memorandum from William C. Foster to the Executive Secretary of the NSC, December 23, 1952, with attachments
7
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the President, December 24, 1952
1
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the President, December 24, 1952, with attachments
5
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the President, December 29, 1952, with attachments
3
  "Changes Recommended by Defense to Proposed Statement of Policy on An Early Warning System," undated
1
Miscellaneous Data
  Note from Albert Chow, undated
1
  "Reports Referred to the National Security Council for Information," undated
1
  Memorandum from Sidney Souers to the President and Others, November 17, 1948
1
  "Catalog of Commitments Involving the Use or Possible Use of United States Armed Forces," September 1, 1948
42
  Memorandum from Sidney Souers to the Chairman of the National Security Resources Board, November 25, 1949
1
  Memorandum from Bureau of the Budget Director Frederick Lawton to the President, July 10, 1951, with attachments
6
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC, December 20, 1950
1
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the Secretary of State, July 25, 1952
1
  Letter from the President to James Lay, Jr., September 22, 1952
1
Report-"Military Program-Air Readiness and Development"
  "Commanding Officers' Estimates of the Combat Readiness of USAF Groups and Separate Squadrons," February 10, 1952
2
  Memorandum on U.S. Military Plane Production, March 5, 1952
2
  "Monthly U.S. Military Airplane Production," undated
2
  Memorandum on Air Programs, March 27, 1952
1
  Report to the President on airplane procurement, April 10, 1952
1
  Report to the President on inventory of Air Force and Navy airplanes, July 1, 1952
6
  Report to the President on "first line" and "second line" planes, July 3, 1952
2
  Report to the President on age of airplane inventory, July 7, 1952
2
  Report to the President on jet airplane inventory, July 7, 1952
2
  Report to the President on airplane inventory losses, July 14, 1952
2
  Report to the President on air readiness and deployment, July 23, 1952
3
Reports-Miscellaneous
  Memorandum from Robert Landry to the President, April 25, 1952
2
  Report to the President on Navy ship construction and conversion, May 28, 1952
5
  Report to the President on recent allocation of plane production, July 10, 1952
2
  Report to the President on U.S. military plane production, July 10, 1952
3
Reports-To NSC for Information
  Memorandum from Executive Secretary Sidney Souers to the NSC regarding Shanghai, January 13, 1949, with attachment
2
  Memorandum from Executive Secretary Sidney Souers to the NSC regarding Japan, February 11, 1949, with attachments
8
  Memorandum from Executive Secretary James Lay, Jr. to the NSC regarding a Czechoslovakian steel mill, January 21, 1952, with attachments
6
Reports-To NSC for Information (Progress Reports)
  NSC Progress Report by the Acting Secretary of State on NSC 11/3, "U.S. Armed Forces at Tsingtao," June 8, 1949
2
  NSC Progress Report by the Department of State on the position of the United States with respect to Korea, August 18, 1949
2
  NSC Progress Report by the Acting Chairman of the National Security Resources Board on NSC Action 126, concerning mobilization planning for foreign economic measures, October 31, 1949
3
  NSC Progress Report by the Under Secretary of State on NSC 31, "Equipment for Three French Divisions," January 25, 1950
2
  NSC Progress Report by the Under Secretary of State on NSC 42/1, "U.S. Objectives with Respect to Greece and Turkey to Counter Soviet Threats to U.S. Security," March 6, 1950
7
  NSC Progress Report by the Under Secretary of State on NSC 14/1, "The Position of the United States with Respect to Providing Military Assistance to Nations of the Non-Soviet World," March 31, 1950
3
  NSC Progress Report by the Under Secretary of State on NSC 24/3, "Possible U.S. Courses of Action in the Event the USSR Reimposes the Berlin Blockade," and on NSC 24/4, "Phase-Out of the Berlin Airlift," May 4, 1950
4
  NSC Progress Report by the Acting Secretary of State on NSC 45/1, "Airfield Construction in the United Kingdom and the Cairo-Suez Area," May 22, 1950
3
  NSC Progress Report by the Deputy Under Secretary of State on NSC 67/1, "The Position of the United States with Respect to Communism in Italy," July 17, 1950
2
  NSC Progress Report by the Deputy Under Secretary of State on NSC 56/2, "United States Policy Toward Inter-American Military Collaboration," July 18, 1950
2
  NSC Progress Report by the Department of State on NSC 8/2, "The Position of the United States with Respect to Korea," August 3, 1950
2
  NSC Progress Report by the Department of State on NSC 42/1, "United States Objectives with Respect to Greece and Turkey to Counter Soviet Threats to United States Security," July 26, 1951
2
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC regarding potential Soviet attack on essential communications systems and organizations, February 26, 1952, with attachments
6
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC, December 4, 1952, with NSC 134, "Implications of Continued Hostilities in Korea,"
11
Senior NSC Staff Meetings
  Summary of Meeting of Senior NSC Staff, August 24, 1951
3
   
PSF: Subject File: National Security Council -- Meetings (italized entries are folder titles)
Numerical List of NSC Meetings
  NSC 26-26/5
1
Meeting 4-December 17, 1947
  Minutes
6
Meeting 5-January 13, 1948
  Minutes
7
Meeting 6-February 12, 1948
  Memorandum for the NSC, February 9, 1948
1
  Memorandum for the NSC, February 9, 1948, with attachment
4
Meeting 7-March 11,1948
  Minutes
6
  Memorandum from Sidney Souers to the President, March 11, 1948
1
  NSC 1/2 (as amended): "The Position of the United States With Respect to Italy," March 12, 1948
12
  NSC 1/3 (as amended): "Position of the United States With Respect to Italy in the Light of the Possibility of Communist Participation in the Government by Legal Means," March 12, 1948
11
  Note by the Executive Secretary Regarding NSC 1/2
1
  Note by the Executive Secretary Regarding NSC 1/3
1
  Note from Ina Holtzscheiter to George Elsey, March 12, 1948
1
Meeting 26-November 3, 1948
  Memorandum from Sidney Souers to the Secretary of Defense, October 29, 1948, with attachment
2
Meeting 35-March 3, 1949
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 8/2, "The Position of the United States with Respect to Korea," May 18, 1949
3
Meeting 36-March 22, 1949
  Memorandum from Sidney Souers to the NSC on NSC 17/3, "A Report to the National Security Council by State, Army, Navy, Air Force Coordinating Committee on Internal Security," November 26, 1948, with attachments
7
Meeting 38-April 21, 1949
  NSC Status of Projects, April 18, 1949
9
Meeting 39-May 5, 1949
  NSC 46: "Understandings on Export Control in East-West Trade," May 3, 1949
10
Meeting 41-June 2, 1949
  NSC Status of Projects, May 27, 1949
10
Meeting 42-June 16, 1949
  NSC Status of Projects, June 13, 1949
10
Meeting 43-July 7, 1949
  NSC Status of Projects, July 1, 1949
10
Meeting 44-August 4, 1949
  NSC Status of Projects, July 29, 1949
12
Meeting 45-September 15, 1949
  Memorandum from Sidney Souers to the President, September 16, 1949, with attachment
2
Meeting 46-September 29, 1949
  NSC 52/2: "Governmental Programs in National Security and International Affairs for the Fiscal Year 1951," September 26, 1949
2
  Memorandum from Sidney Souers to the NSC on NSC 52/2, September 28, 1949, with attachment
4
Meeting 47-October 20, 1949
  NSC Progress Report on the Austrian Treaty Negotiations, October 17, 1949 [two copies of this document in folder]
7
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC, October 21, 1949, with attachments
5
Meeting 48-November 17, 1949
  NSC 18/3: "United States Policy Toward the Conflict Between the USSR and Yugoslavia," November 10, 1949
20
  NSC 18/4: "United States Policy Toward the Conflict Between the USSR and Yugoslavia," November 17, 1949
21
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 38/4, "Future Courses of U.S. Action with Respect to Austria," January 3, 1950
7
Meeting 49-December 8, 1949
  NSC 58: "United States Policy Toward the Soviet Satellite States in Eastern Europe," September 14, 1949
23
Meeting 50-December 29, 1949
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to Dean Rusk and Others, October 26, 1949, with attachment
38
Meeting 57-May 18, 1950
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on NSC 26/2, May 9, 1950, with attachment on the removal and demolition of oil facilities and supplies in the Middle East
2
Meeting 65-August 17, 1950
  Memorandum from Sidney Souers to the NSC, May 25, 1949
3
  Memorandum from Sidney Souers to the NSC, June 21, 1949
16
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC, June 29, 1950, with NSC 26/3
8
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the President, August 18, 1950
1
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on NSC 26/3, August 14, 1950, with attachments
4
  NSC 26/4: "Demolition and Abandonment of Oil Facilities and Fields in the Middle East," August 18, 1950
2
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on NSC 26/2, September 1, 1950
3
Meeting 67-September 7, 1950
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 38/4 and 38/6, "Future Courses of U.S. Action with Respect to Austria," and NSC 63/1, "U.S. Policy in the Event of a Blockade of Vienna," August 28, 1950
18
Meeting 68-September 29, 1950
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on U.S. objectives and programs for national security, September 6, 1950, with attachment
4
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on U.S. objectives and programs for national security, September 28, 1950, with attachment
3
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on U.S. objectives and programs for national security, January 12, 1951
1
Meeting 69-October 12, 1950
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 42/1, "U.S. Objectives with Respect to Greece and Turkey to Counter Soviet Threats to U.S. Security," September 19, 1950
10
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC, September 25, 1950, with attachment on the removal and demolition of oil facilities and supplies in the Middle East
3
Meeting 70-November 2, 1950
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 69 Series, "Export Controls and Security Policy," October 11, 1950
9
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on Irish membership in NATO and military assistance to Ireland, November 3, 1950
1
Meeting 71-November 9, 1950
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on the position of the U.S. with respect to the Philippines, November 9, 1950, with attachment
2
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on the security of strategically important industrial operations in foreign countries, November 20, 1950, with attachment
2
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 29, "Security of Strategically Important Industrial Operations in Foreign Countries," October 30, 1950
5
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 40/1, "The Position of the United States with Respect to United States and North Atlantic Security Interests in Iceland, October 31, 1950
3
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 56/2, "United States Policy Toward Inter-American Military Collaboration," November 2, 1950
3
Meeting 72-November 22, 1950
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on East-West trade, November 24, 1950, with NSC 91/1
13
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the President on East-West trade, November 24, 1950, with attachments
12
Meeting 75-December 14, 1950
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on U.S. objectives and programs for national security as stated in NSC 68/3, December 14, 1950, with attachments
9
Meeting 77-January 4, 1951
  NSC 67/2: "The Position of the United States with Respect to the Communist Threat to Italy," December 29, 1950
6
Meeting 82-February 1, 1951
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 29, "Security of Strategically Important Industrial Operations in Foreign Countries," January 19, 1951
5
  Memorandum from S. Everett Gleason to the NSC on port security, January 31, 1951, with attachments
4
  Memorandum from S. Everett Gleason to the NSC on U.S. policy toward Spain, January 31, 1951, with attachment
2
  Memorandum from S. Everett Gleason to the President on U.S. policy toward Spain, February 2, 1951
1
  Memorandum from S. Everett Gleason to the NSC on port security, February 1, 1951
1
  Memorandum from S. Everett Gleason to the NSC on defense production policy, February 1, 1951, with attachment
4
  Memorandum from S. Everett Gleason to the NSC on U.S. policy toward Spain, February 2, 1951
1
  NSC 78/2: "Port Security," September 4, 1951
35
Meeting 83-February 14, 1951
  NSC 103: "The Position of the United States with Respect to Greece," February 6, 1951
15
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on U.S. policy toward Greece, February 12, 1951
1
  NSC Progress Report on NSC 13/3, "Recommendations with Respect to U.S. Policy Toward Japan," January 26, 1951
4
  Memorandum from S. Everett Gleason to the NSC on East-West trade, January 29, 1951, with attachment
7
  Agenda for Meeting, February 9, 1951
1
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on U.S. policy toward Greece, February 14, 1951, with attachment
2
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the President on U.S. policy toward Greece, February 15, 1951, with attachment
5
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on U.S. policy toward Greece, May 24, 1951, with attachment
3
  Memorandum from James Lay, Jr. to the NSC on U.S. policy toward Greece, February 15, 1951
1

 

 

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;
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