Task Force 68, The Truman Mission

On 7 Jul, Task Force 68 departed from Norfolk carrying President Truman to Europe for the Potsdam Conference. Heavy cruiser AUGUSTA carried the president escorted by light cruiser PHILADELPHIA. Upon arrival in English waters they were joined by an honorary escort consisting of British Home Fleet light cruiser BIRMINGHAM and destroyers SERAPIS, OBDURATE, OBEDIENT, ZEALOUS, ZEPHYR, and ZODIAC.

AUGUSTA landed at Antwerp on 15 Jul; President Truman was met by General of the Army Eisenhower and a score of dignitaries.

On 27 Jul Task Force 68 departed for Plymouth, England, arriving 28 Jul. Battle Cruiser, HMS RENOWN was already in port. On 2 Aug, President Truman (having flown to England) and King George VI traded formal visits. They lunched on RENOWN and then disembarked for AUGUSTA.

Task Force 68 departed Plymouth on the evening of 2 Aug and arrived Norfolk on 7 Aug having made the Atlantic Crossing in 5 days and 5 hours.