35th Infantry Division Belgium

A study group of the US 35th Infantry Division

137th Infantry Regiment and President Harry S. Truman

In July 1945, President Harry S. Truman was on a trip throughout Europe before he went to the Conference in Potsdam. On July 15, 1945, he visited Antwerp and Brussels. The 137th Infantry Regiment was chosen to act as Honor Guard at the Airfield of Melsbroek and in the city of Brussels. The 35th Division was chosen because President Truman was a veteran of the Division. He fought during World War 1 with the 129th Field Artillery Regiment.

President Truman arrived around 11 o'clock in Antwerp on July 15. A delegation of Belgian politicians was waiting for him at the harbor. A couple of minutes later, the President stepped into a car and drove from Antwerp to Brussels. He had the opportunity to see how Belgium was destroyed because of the war and he also saw Breendonk (he did not visit it). Around 12:30pm, President Truman arrived at Airfield B-58, the airfield of Melsbroek, accompanied by General Eisenhower, General Lee and other prominents.

A mixture of men from Camp Lucky Strike (137th Infantry Regiment) had the honor to welcome and be the Honor Guard for President Truman. Other parts of the 137th were in Brussels (near the Palace of Justice) when the President passed. The President took his time to talk to the men of the 137th before he got in his plain to go to Berlin. Around 13:00pm, President Truman's plane departed for Berlin. The plane was a C-54 "Sacred Cow" and was the second of three planes to leave. 

We have several witnesses about what happened that day.

Chester Powell, veteran of the 137th Infantry Regiment was on the airfield as a member of the Honor Guard. This is what he remembers of that special day.
"We were on training for something that was coming up, but they wouldn't tell us what it was. We were all given new uniforms and helmet liners with our names on them. Then, two days before, they told us we would be meeting Harry Truman at the Brussels airport. We were pretty shook up.
Being an airplane nut, I was very lucky to be at the airport right next to the plane. The plane was a C-54, the same plane that President Roosevelt used. It was the largest plane of its time. It touched down at 12:30pm, and the president looked real nice. He was on his way to Berlin.
Also at the airport was Patton, Marchall and Montgomery. We were told not to move our heads, just roll our eyes, but if we did move our head move it very, very slowly. There were a lot of pictures taken of the president, and then he inspected the troops. We were known as the honor guard. What a thrill!"

Harold Schaefer, veteran of the 137th Infantry Regiment, also remembers the day and said the following about it.
"When Truman came over after the war our company was picked as the honor guard at the airport. Many of my buddies were standing along the steps when Truman stepped out. I remember George McQueen as being one of them. I was stuck back in the airport guarding a railroad. All I saw was the plane fly over."

John H. Pilcher, veteran of the 137th Infantry Regiment, still remembers this about Truman's visit.
"We had to stand at attention for such a long time that several men fainted, including me."

William McWha, veteran of the 137th Infantry Regiment, was reviewed by President Truman.
"I remember being reviewed by President Truman, Ike and so forth. Truman asked me what state I come from."

On this link you can see a small movie about President Harry S. Truman's arrival in Antwerp, his trip from Antwerp to Brussels and his arrival at the Airport of Melsbroek.

These are some pictures of President Truman at the airport of Melsbroek, talking to soldiers of C Company, 137th Infantry Regiment.

President Truman talking to Staff Sergeant Ernie Atkin.

President Truman chatting with Staff Sergeant Frank P. Galis.

President Truman and Lt. Elwin I. Shopteese having a conversation.

Captain Clyde R. Mills shaking the hand of President Truman.

Honor Guard of the 137th Infantry Regiment in Brussels in front of the Palace of Justice.

In the Life Magazine of August 6, 1945, there is also a small part about the trip of President Truman to Antwerp, Brussels and Berlin.