An original collection of eight historical black-and-white World War II press photographs documenting U.S. President Harry S. Truman’s historic voyage aboard the heavy cruiser USS Augusta (CA-31) en route to the "Big Three" Potsdam Conference in July 1945. The photographs prominently capture the Commander-in-Chief inspecting the ship, interacting with the crew, and traveling alongside key figures like Secretary of State James F. Byrnes and Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy.

All eight photographs feature full typed descriptive captions on the reverse and are explicitly credited as "Official U.S. Navy Photographs" issued by the Navy Department Office of Public Information in Washington, D.C.

The individual reverse captions include:

• File Number 700079 (Released July 24, 1945): "The President Exhibits First American Flag to Fly Over Berlin" – Capturing Major General F. S. Parks presenting the first American flag to fly over Berlin to President Truman at the Commanding General U.S. Headquarters, Berlin District. A note on the caption explicitly clarifies that this flag is not the same one that flew over the Capitol on December 7, 1941.

• File Number 49927 (Released July 15, 1945): "En Route to the Potsdam 'Big Three' Meeting" – Documenting President Truman on the bow of the USS Augusta alongside Secretary of State James F. Byrnes (left) and Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy (right).

• File Number 49925 (Released July 15, 1945): "Aboard the USS Augusta Redoute to Antwerp: The Crew Rates Their Commander-in-Chief a 'True-Up' Sailor" – Depicting President Truman standing in a mess hall food line with a tray, serving himself alongside crew members including Albert Rice, J. M. Matchunis, J. H. Burns, and Russell P. Wagner.

• File Number 49932 (Released July 15, 1945): "Aboard the USS Augusta Redoute to Antwerp" – Showing President Truman during a thorough inspection of the heavy cruiser's engine room, with machinery being explained by Lt. Comdr. R. T. King, the ship's Engineering Officer.

• File Number 49928 (Released July 15, 1945): "Aboard the USS Augusta: The Crew Rates Their Commander-in-Chief a 'True-Up' Sailor" – Featuring President Truman enjoying a mess hall meal at a table with crew members, including Richard Russell and Albert L. Rice.

• File Number 700076 (Released July 24, 1945): "The President Attends Divine Services" – Documenting President Truman taking time off from the conference on Sunday, July 22, to attend both Catholic and Protestant church services. He is shown walking with Colonel S. Curtis Thomas, Father Edmund Walsh, and Captain H. McTikeat.

• File Number 49931-1 (Released July 15, 1945): "Aboard the USS Augusta: The Crew Rates Their Commander-in-Chief a 'True-Up' Sailor" – Showing Secretary of State James F. Byrnes (left) with President Truman on the bow of the USS Augusta, with their escort ship, the light cruiser USS Philadelphia (CL-41), visible ahead in the background.

• File Number 49929 (Released July 15, 1945): "Aboard the USS Augusta Redoute to Antwerp" – Documenting the President's arrival in Europe, where he is greeted by units of the British Fleet. As a British destroyer passes in salute, President Truman and Secretary of State Byrnes acknowledge the greeting with spontaneous waves.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 inches

USS Augusta CA-31, Potsdam Conference 1945, President Harry Truman voyage, Official US Navy photographs, WWII press prints, Secretary of State James Byrnes, Fleet Admiral William Leahy, USS Philadelphia CL-41, heavy cruiser military history, vintage gelatin silver prints, Berlin occupation flag, Truman mess hall line.