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What would Truman think of Obama's Japan trip?

Posted at 2:56 PM, May 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-25 18:19:56-04

Thousands of miles from Hiroshima, Japan lies the man who dropped the bomb there.

But what would former President Harry Truman think about President Barack Obama's visit to the city?

Truman's grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel, told 41 Action News in a statement:

"I think my grandfather would have considered it appropriate for President Obama to visit... the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have the courage to speak out against nuclear proliferation. President Obama can honor their courage."

Obama's decision to visit Hiroshima did bring some criticism, just like Truman's decision to drop the bombs did, except of course on a much larger scale.

"Just as Harry Truman made his decision about the use of the bomb in the context of his time to achieve ends that he felt were important for the nation, obviously president Obama is making decisions based on what he feels is best for the nation," said Kurt Graham, director of the Truman Presidential Library & Museum in Independence.

The museum tells the story of Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb, first on Hiroshima then on Nagasaki -- the only way Truman believed he could end World War II quickly.

"He was the only person at that time or since then even who knew what it was like to put over 100,000 people to their death at once. That's not an easy thing," said Graham.

Obama believes his trip will promote peace -- a message Truman's family believes he would believe in, no matter where it's being delivered.

"What's interesting about Harry Truman is he had fought in World War I, he ended World War II and he spent the rest of his presidency determined not to start World War III," said Graham.

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Justin Wilfon can be reached at justin.wilfon@kshb.com.

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