Marshall tells Truman ‘no’ to World War II service

I came across an interesting record of conversation while watching a documentary on Gen. George C. Marshall. Harry S. Truman, who fought on the front lines during World War I, was serving as a United States Senator when the United States was preparing for a potential role in World War II. Truman was also a colonel in the Officers Reserve Corps (today’s Army Reserve) and decided he wanted to serve the country on active duty, so he put on his uniform and went into Gen. Marshall’s office.

“General, I would like very much to have a chance to work in this war as a field artillery colonel,” Senator Truman informed the Army’s Chief of Staff.

Gen. Marshall, who served as Gen. John J. Pershing’s aide-de-camp during the Great War, pulled his glasses down to the tip of his nose and looked up at Truman. “Senator, how old are you?”

“I’m 56 years old,” Truman replied.

“Senator, you’re too damned old. You go on back and stay in the Senate.”

“But I’m four years younger than you are.”

“Yes, but I’m already in.” Marshall went back to his work and Truman back to the Senate. In five years, Truman would be president and Marshall would serve as his Secretary of State, and later, Secretary of Defense.

Truman had enlisted in the Missouri National Guard in 1905 and served until 1911, reaching the rank of corporal. When the United States joined World War I, he rejoined his old unit and was made a first lieutenant. Truman would remain in the Officers Reserve until 1953.