Sixty-six years ago today, the world changed forever. On August 6, 1945 President Harry S. Truman authorized the dropping of the first ever atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, on August 9, a second bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki leading to the unconditional surrender of Japan, and the end of World War II. Truman's decision to use atomic weapons against the Japanese has been one of the most debated issues of the twentieth century. I will never forget my grandfather (who served in World War II) telling me that President Truman's decision undoubtedly saved his life. Had Truman not made the decision that he did, my grandfather, along with thousands of other U.S. soldiers would have had to go in on the ground. If that particular scenario would have played out, my grandfather told me that there was no way he would have made it out alive. My grandfather said he owed his life to President Truman, and was forever grateful for the decision that he made. Like my grandfather, I also believe that President Truman made the right decision. I hate to think of how many more American soldiers would have died if Truman didn't take the decisive action that he did. Critics of the decision will say that thousands of innocent lives were lost in the bombings. They will also argue that Truman essentially ushered in the atomic age as we know it, leading to standoffs in the future with nuclear powers such as the Soviet Union, Iran, and North Korea. I have heard it said many times that history will be the judge of the greatness of one's presidency. Being viewed as one of America's greatest presidents, I think it is safe to say that history has validated the decisions of President Harry S. Truman.
I agree. A most difficult decision had to be made and I think most reasonable people would say although it may not necessarily have be the decision we want to look back on 60+ years later, it WAS the correct decision and really the ONLY decision given the circumstances. It is easy for critics to second guess at this point in time. President Truman was faced with a decision and made a tough call. Not a common trait among our current leaders.
ReplyDeleteOr as Truman was reminded every day, "The BUCK stops here."
ReplyDeleteThere are presidents that I rank higher than Truman in a lot of areas. Washington and Lincoln had historic presidencies. Reagan was a president who will forever be a favorite of mine. I don't think any president executed the office itself, made the hard decisions, and stayed focused on the country better than Harry Truman. He may have been the last man who considered the White House a responsibility rather than a prize.