Harry S. Truman

USA, 1884-1972

Harry S Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, was in office when North Korean forces invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950. During the Truman administration, the US armed forces had contracted following World War II. Therefore, with the United Nations resolution to support South Korea, American troops were committed steadily, but without adequate armour and artillery support in the early stages. Truman led the drive for intervention in Korea under the United Nations banner, but as the war stalemated, his popularity waned in the US. Truman is best remembered for firing General Douglas Macarthur during their dispute over the conduct of the war.