Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman, (1884-1972). US statesman; 33rd president of the US. The names of both his grandfathers began with “S”, hence his middle initial, which stood for neither name in particular. He served as Democratic vice-president following Roosevelt’s nomination for a fourth term as president and took office on Roosevelt’s death just 82 days later. In 1945 he authorized the use of the first atom bomb (1945) against Japan, which ended the Pacific war. After the war he introduced the ‘Truman Doctrine’ to contain communist expansion. Truman was unexpectedly re-elected in 1948 and his second term of office was occupied chiefly by the Korean War.
