Donald Dawson
Encyclopedia
Donald S. Dawson enjoyed a long career as a Washington, D.C.
lawyer
but is perhaps best remembered as the presidential aide who marshaled Harry S. Truman
's crucial whistle-stop tour
in the 1948 election campaign
.
Dawson was perhaps the first modern American political advance man, able to gauge the political climate and provide appropriate advice.
Donald Shelton Dawson was born in the small community of El Dorado Springs, Missouri
, graduated from the University of Missouri
in 1930 and received his law degree from George Washington University
in 1938.
He retired from the United States Air Force Reserve as a Major General
in 1970.
He died at his home in Bethesda, Maryland
aged 97. His interment was located in Arlington, Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery
near his wife, Ilona Massey
.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
but is perhaps best remembered as the presidential aide who marshaled Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
's crucial whistle-stop tour
Whistle stop train tour
A whistle stop or whistle-stop tour is a style of political campaigning where the politician makes a series of brief appearances or speeches at a number of small towns over a short period of time...
in the 1948 election campaign
United States presidential election, 1948
The United States presidential election of 1948 is considered by most historians as the greatest election upset in American history. Virtually every prediction indicated that incumbent President Harry S. Truman would be defeated by Republican Thomas E. Dewey. Truman won, overcoming a three-way...
.
Dawson was perhaps the first modern American political advance man, able to gauge the political climate and provide appropriate advice.
Donald Shelton Dawson was born in the small community of El Dorado Springs, Missouri
El Dorado Springs, Missouri
El Dorado Springs is the largest city in Cedar County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,775 at the 2000 census. The name is commonly shortened to El Dorado or just El Do.-Geography:El Dorado Springs is located at ....
, graduated from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1930 and received his law degree from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in 1938.
He retired from the United States Air Force Reserve as a Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
in 1970.
He died at his home in Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
aged 97. His interment was located in Arlington, Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
near his wife, Ilona Massey
Ilona Massey
Ilona Massey was a film, stage and radio performer.-Early life and career:...
.