President Nixon recorded a memorandum detailing his reflections on the death and funeral arrangements of former President Harry S. Truman. The President recounted his personal experiences surrounding the transition, including his trip to the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, to pay respects and meet with the Truman family. He evaluated Truman's character and historical legacy while outlining the logistics of the official mourning process and state proceedings.
On December 28, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:08 am and 11:56 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 380-006 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 380-6
Date: December 28, 1972
Time: Unknown between 11:08 am and 11:56 am
Location: Executive Office Building
The President dictated a memorandum for the file.
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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift during
chronological review 2007-2013]
Death of Harry S. Truman
-Date of previous memorandum
-Return to Washington, DC
-Notification
-Funeral service
-Body in state at Truman Library
-The President’s trip to Truman Library
-Wreath, poem
-Capitol
-[Thomas] Woodrow Wilson
-Grandson
[Pause]
-The President’s trip to Truman Library
-Kansas City
-Recollections
-State house
-Meeting with Truman family
-Margaret Truman Daniel, Clifton Daniel
-Sons
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-16-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. Dec.-07)
[This memorandum continues as Conversation No. 380-8]This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.