Truman Smith (officer)

Truman Smith (1893 – 1970) was a U.S. Army officer, military attaché, and intelligence officer. He is primarily known for his pre-World War II observations of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany, and for his later role in the "Brown Scare" period of anti-communist investigations.

Smith graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1915. During World War I, he served in France. In the interwar period, he held various staff and intelligence positions, including tours of duty as a military attaché in Berlin in the late 1920s and early to mid-1930s.

While stationed in Germany, Smith gained notoriety for his reports on Adolf Hitler. Initially skeptical of Hitler, Smith gradually formed the opinion that Hitler, while possessing dangerous tendencies, could potentially be a useful tool for Western powers against the perceived threat of Soviet communism. He met with Hitler on several occasions and reported on his charisma and political skills. Smith's reports were met with mixed reactions in Washington D.C., with some officials dismissing his assessments as overly optimistic.

Following his service in Germany, Smith held various intelligence positions throughout World War II.

After the war, Smith became involved in anti-communist activities. During the 1950s, he was associated with investigations into alleged communist influence in the United States, including the "Brown Scare," which focused on communist infiltration of educational institutions.

Smith retired from the Army with the rank of Brigadier General. His legacy remains controversial, with some viewing him as a prescient observer of Hitler's rise to power and others criticizing his perceived naiveté regarding the dangers of Nazism and his later involvement in the anti-communist movement.