Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: Truman Smith papers
Date (inclusive): 1893-2002
Collection Number: XX071
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
29 manuscript boxes, 3 oversize boxes, 4 microfilm reels
(16.4 Linear Feet)
Abstract: The Truman Smith papers (in part, photocopies) relate to the German army between World Wars I and II, national socialism in
Germany, American military intelligence activities before and during World War II, and post-war American military policy.
The collection is comprised of correspondence, memoirs, diaries, speeches and writings, intelligence reports, service records,
printed matter, personal documents, photographs, and postcards; it also includes the papers of Katharine Alling Hollister
Smith, wife of Truman Smith, and other family papers.
Creator:
Smith, Truman
Creator:
Smith, Katharine Alling Hollister, 1898-1992
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1969, with increments added in 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980,
1981, 1993, 2010, and 2013.
[Identification of item], Truman Smith papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Existence and Location of Originals note
In part, originals in: Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
| 1893 August 25 | Born, West Point, New York |
| 1915 | Bachelor of Arts, Yale College |
| 1916 | Joined 12th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard |
| 1916 June | Ordered to the Mexican border to defend against Pancho Villa's army |
| 1917 July 14 | Married Katherine Alling Hollister |
| 1917-1918 | Commander, 4th Infantry, Company B (later Company A) in World War I, in France |
| 1918 | Instructor, U.S. Infantry School, Langres, France |
| 1919-1920 | Political advisor to the Officer in Charge of Civil Affairs at Koblenz, Germany |
| 1920-1924 | Assistant military observer and assistant military attaché, U.S. Mission and U.S. Embassy, Berlin, Germany |
| 1928-1932 | Instructor, Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia |
| 1931-1935 | Commanded 2nd Battalion of the 27th Infantry at the Schofield Barracks, Hawaii |
| 1935-1939 | Military attaché, U.S. Embassy, Berlin, German |
| 1939-1946 | German Specialist in Intelligence, General Staff (G-2), War Department |
| 1948 | Military Advisor to the Eberstadt (Armed Forces) Committee on the Hoover Commission |
| 1970 October 3 | Died, Fairfield, Connecticut |
Scope and Content of Collection
The Truman Smith papers were received in several increments and are retained as they were originally received, with the exception
of oversize photographs that were rehoused. Also included are the papers of Truman Smith's wife, Katharine Alling Hollister
Smith, who accompanied her husband in his stays in Koblenz, Berlin, and elsewhere. A prolific writer, Katharine's memoirs,
diaries, and correspondence provide insight into the family's interactions with German officials, life in Berlin between the
wars, and her relationship with Smith.
Among the original documents in the
Correspondence,
Speeches and Writings,
Subject File, and
1980-1993 Increments series are photocopies of Truman Smith's papers at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa.
Some of these copies are printed from the microfilm, which is also available in the collection.
Of particular note in the
Correspondence series are original letters written by Charles Lindbergh to Truman Smith. Having come to Germany at Smith's invitation to
observe the development of German aviation, Lindbergh's letters offer his frank impressions of the Luftwaffe and their capabilities.
More formal analysis is available in Smith's reports to the War Department.
Among the original materials in the
1980-1993 Increments is a photo album containing postcards from the 1936 Berlin Olympics depicting Hitler, American athlete Jesse Owens, and other
scenes from the newly built stadium. This increment also includes Katharine A. H. Smith's unpublished memoirs.
While stationed on the Mexican border during General Pershing's Mexican Expedition and as a commander of the 4th Infantry
in German-occupied France during World War I, Smith wrote constantly to his family and to Katharine (
2010 Increment). Although often personal in nature, these letters offer insight into Smith's understanding of the historical events which
surrounded him and provide researchers with context to his future military career.
The papers also include manuscript copies of Smith's memoir "The Facts of Life" which was published in
Berlin Alert: The Memoirs and Reports of Truman Smith (1984), edited by Robert Hessen as part of the Hoover Archival Documentaries series.
Throughout the collection, notes and annotations by Katharine Alling Hollister Smith and daughter Katharine T. Coley (née
Smith, but known mostly as Kätchen) accompany photographs and correspondence to provide historical context to the documents.
Original folders and folder titles were retained.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Officers
Germany -- History -- 1933-1945
Secret service -- United States
National socialism
World War, 1939-1945 -- Secret service
Military attachés
United States -- Military policy
Women -- United States
Army spouses -- United States
Germany. Heer
United States. Army
Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei