Harry S. TRUMAN (1884 – 1972) An enormous photograph, 19 1/2 x 15 1/4 in. (black & white) on a 24 x 20 in. mount captioned “THE WHITE HOUSE… The President signs the ‘National Security Act Amendments of 1949’ with invited guests attending the ceremony in his office.” Signed on the mount below the caption, ”Harry Truman” as President. Together with a second mounted photograph of similar dimensions depicting an alternate view of the signing ceremony.

National Security Act of 1947 created the cabinet post of Secretary of Defense and combined the Department of the Army and Department of the Navy into the combined National Military Establishment. However, the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal did not enjoy sufficient power to be effective as the Secretaries of the Army and Navy still enjoyed quasi-cabinet level . The amended act of 1949, signed into law by Truman on 10 August 1949 aimed to rectify this situation, created the Department of Defense which unified the several service branches in one federated structure. The modernization of the structure of the armed forces was a key component in Truman’s Cold War strategy.

Minor glue remnants and toning, photographs slightly lifting from mount, else very good condition. Together, two pieces.

(EXA 3886) $1,450