Missouri Over There

Truman, Harry S. Papers

Harry S. Truman served as Captain of Battery D, 129th Field Artillery, 35th Division. He was born in Lamar, Missouri on May 8, 1884 and later moved to Independence, Missouri. Truman first served in the Missouri National Guard from 1905 to 1911. When the United States entered World War I in 1917, he helped organize the 2nd Regiment of Missouri Field Artillery. The 2nd Regiment was quickly called into Federal service as the 129th Field Artillery and sent to France. Battery D saw action in the Vosges, Saint Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne campaigns during the war. Under Truman’s command, the battery did not experience a single casualty. Truman’s WWI service stimulated his leadership qualities and provided him with the leadership experience which contributed to his postwar political career. He climbed the political ladder eventually serving as the 33rd President of the United States.

The “Dear Bess Letters” refer to the letters Harry S. Truman wrote to his wife Bess Wallace throughout their courtship and marriage. Truman recalls first falling for Bess when he was six years old at Sunday school. Despite this and attending the same school from fifth grade to high school graduation, Harry and Bess did not start their romance until meeting again in 1910. At that time, Truman lived in Grandview while Bess lived in Independence. He made the trip to visit her often, but many letters were sent to maintain their relationship. The sampling of letters provided are from Truman’s service in World War I. After Truman enlisted in 1917, he wrote to Bess frequently from his training camp in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and later from France. Harry waited to marry Bess until after he returned and the two were finally married on June 28, 1919. Throughout their nine year courtship and 53 years of marriage, Harry sent a total of 1,300 letter to his wife Bess.

Collection contributed by:

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

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