THE PRESIDENCY: Deep Dunker

The 48-starred flag of the President of the United States, redesigned by Harry Truman himself, flew at an unlikely place: the stubby mast of a Nazi submarine. The U-2513 was a U.S. prize from the surrendered German Navy, under study because of its revolutionary Schnorkel breathing device (TIME, Feb. 19, 1945). Now, with an all-American crew commanded by Lieut. Commander James Barr Casler, the U-boat was at Key West.

As he was piped aboard, the President wore a short-sleeved pink shirt, tan slacks and a white sulky cap. He stood on the...

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