• Harry S Truman National Historic Site

    Harry S Truman

    National Historic Site Missouri

Oral Histories: O

Reathel Odum

Reathel Odum

Odum, Reathel
Interviewed October 10, 1988

Reathel Odum was Bess W. Truman's personal secretary from 1945 to 1953. Odum discusses living in the White House, Madge Gates Wallace, guests of the Trumans during the presidency, and visiting the Truman home in Independence.

Interview Not Transcribed

 

Did You Know?

The President eats with the crew of the U. S. S. Augusta. Credit: Truman Library

Harry Truman was an ordinary man, but not an average man.  He was an ordinary man in the sense that he was not born into a position of wealth or influence.  His becoming president, however, suggests he was anything but average.