1. Truman Gibson discusses his early life and some of his achievements in his Oral History interview in the Harry S Truman Library and Museum website.
16 Facts About Truman Gibson
1. 2.
Truman Gibson graduated from the University of Chicago in 1932 and obtained a degree from its law school in 1935.
3.
Truman Gibson helped organize Chicago's American Negro Exposition in 1940, marking the 75th anniversary of emancipation.
4.
In 1940, Gibson was appointed as an assistant to this newly named adviser, William H Hastie.
5.
Truman Gibson's tasks included investigating complaints from black soldiers facing indignities, and sometimes violence, during their stateside training.
6.
On one occasion, Truman Gibson was instrumental in obtaining a decision for several black Officer Candidate School candidates from Fort Riley, KS, whose OCS applications had been inexplicably delayed for several months.
7.
In 1943, Truman Gibson acceded to the position of Chief Civilian Advisor to Secretary Stimson on Hastie's resignation.
8.
At Truman Gibson's prodding, the film was screened to all new recruits and played in cinemas across the country.
9.
In December 1946, Gibson was named to President Harry S Truman's nine-member, civilian commission studying the future of universal military training; he was the panel's only black member.
10.
Fourteen months later, Truman Gibson issued Executive Order 9981, which led to desegregation of the armed forces.
11.
Truman Gibson returned to private law practice in Chicago after the war.
12.
Truman Gibson became secretary and later president of the International Boxing Club, which promoted important title fights and arranged national television coverage of the sport during the 1950s.
13.
In 1959, Truman Gibson became one of the three original directors of the Chicago-based National Boxing Enterprises, the company that brought the legendary Friday night fights to television.
14.
Truman Gibson served on the boards of directors of the Chicago Community Fund and Roosevelt University and remained a member of the Cook County Bar Association.
15.
Truman Gibson continued to reside in Chicago and practiced law up until his death on December 23,2005.
16.
Truman Gibson is honored with a sidewalk plaque near the Victory Monument in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood; he shares the plaque with his father.