The President - Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Lieutenant Commander Rigdon served as Secretary for the Presidential party during the
visit at Key West.
Agent Usher was in charge of advance security arrangements at Key West. He was
assisted by Mr. McDavid and Mr. Jackson.
Chief Photographer's Mate John T. McCrosson, U.S.N., on temporary duty from the U. S.
Naval Photographic Center, Anacostia, D. C., served as photographer for the Presidential
party.
Seven sedans - a Lincoln convertible, two Lincoln four-doors and four Ford four-doors,
had been sent down to Key West from Miami for the use of the Presidential party and the
Secret Service. This courtesy was extended by Mr. Cecil Holland, president of the All-
Miami Motors Company. This pool was augmented as necessary by automobiles drawn
from the Naval Base.
A 10-place Naval transport plane (R-5-0-Z Lockheed Lodestar) had been sent to Key
West from the Naval Air Station, Anacostia, to perform special missions for the President
and members of his party. This plane was under the command of Lieutenant (jg) John R.
Morse, U.S.N., Lieutenant (jg) William D. Ellis, U.S.N., was the co-pilot.
Mrs. Farrell, wife of Captain J. A. Farrell, Commanding Officer of the Naval Station, was
most thoughtful and helpful during the visit. She came in each morning, while members
of the party were at the beach, and replenished the beautiful floral decorations.
Monday, 7 March.
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Key West was visited by a rain squall during the early morning. The weather had cleared
by 9.30 a.m., however, and the remainder of the day was clear with bright sunshine.
At 8 a.m., the Naval Station fired a 2l-gun salute in honor of the President.
General Vaughan and General Landry were the fishing enthusiasts of the vacation party.
They left the White House at 9.30 a.m., on the first of several ventures into the waters
around Key West which have become known as one of the great deep sea fishing grounds
in the world. They used the "Big Wheel," a. 65-foot former torpedo retrieving boat
which has been converted to a fishing boat.
The President did not put in his appearance until 9.40 a.m., this morning. He came
downstairs at that hour and admitted that he had slept until 9.30 a.m. When asked if the
gun salute had disturbed him, he remarked that he had heard only the last four guns and
had then turned over and gone back to sleep. Mr. Connelly stole party honors from the
President, however, as he did not arise until later.