Two cannons donated to Ike Skelton Training Center

Charles Machon, director of the Museum of Missouri Military History, and Adjutant Gen. Steve Danner look at the engraving on one of the museum's recent acquisitions. This is an 1890s-type cannon used by a St. Louis unit during the Spanish-American War. It had been housed at the now-closed Kemper Military School in Boonville.
Charles Machon, director of the Museum of Missouri Military History, and Adjutant Gen. Steve Danner look at the engraving on one of the museum's recent acquisitions. This is an 1890s-type cannon used by a St. Louis unit during the Spanish-American War. It had been housed at the now-closed Kemper Military School in Boonville.

The last push against the Germans in the summer and fall of 1918 found Capt. Harry Truman placed in command of an "ornery" artillery battery, which had taken pride in driving off its previous commanders.

According to the last surviving member of that unit, bets were even placed that they'd run off Truman within 90 days.

But the young Truman proved himself to be a great leader with a good attitude and a get-it-done approach, said Charles Machon, director of the Museum of Missouri Military History.

Truman led Battery D, 129th Field Artillery, 35th Division, which used the popular French 75 mm cannons.

The museum on the Ike Skelton Training Site received a similar type French cannon this week.