This series consists of correspondence with Harry S. Truman and correspondence with other persons concerning Harry S. Truman. The correspondence is primarily personal in nature, consisting of birthday and Christmas greetings, acknowledgments of gifts, congratulatory letters and messages concerning reunions. Some of the correspondence relates to requests for special consideration for certain Air Force personnel, requests which the former President received from friends and passed on to Landry.
Also included in the series is a report that Landry prepared, at the President's request, on the subject of mass hysteria and "witch-hunting" in American history. Written by Robert Landry with the assistance of other Air Force personnel, the report was submitted to the President on October 31, 1949. Subsequently, the report was revised by Ken Hechler, a Special Assistant in the White House Office; this revised version can also be found in the series. According to Hechler, President Truman frequently used historical information from the "witch-hunting" report in his speeches against McCarthyism.
The series also includes scrapbooks, photocopies of photographs, certificates, handwritten notes, memorabilia, military orders, and World War II related documents. The clippings and photocopies of photographs primarily document the activities of Landry and other members of the Truman White House staff, especially their participation in the President's trips, vacations, and ceremonial functions, as well as matters pertaining to the U.S. Air Force.
