Stephen Early

Stephen Tyree Early (August 27, 1889 – August 11, 1951) was a U.S. journalist and government official. He served as White House Press Secretary under President Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1933 to 1945 and again under President Harry Truman in December, 1950.

Early began his career as a reporter for the Associated Press. He first met Franklin D. Roosevelt at the 1912 Democratic National Convention, and maintained ties to Roosevelt while covering the Navy department. He served during World War I, and became an advance man for Roosevelt's 1920 Vice President campaign. When Roosevelt was elected President in 1932, he asked Early to be one of three press secretaries. He held the position throughout Roosevelt's lengthy presidency, leaving government service in June, 1945. He returned to the government as Under Secretary, later Deputy Secretary of Defense from April 1949 to June 1950, during the Truman Administration. He became the Press Secretary again in December, 1950 after the sudden death of Charlie Ross. His second term was only a matter of weeks, lasting from December 5 through December 18, 1950. He died the following August of a heart attack.

Stephen Early in The Hot War
Stephen Early briefly came out of retirement to become Press Secretary again in December, 1950 after the unexpected death of Charlie Ross. He stayed in the position until the following year. He was present when President Harry Truman announced to the country that he'd authorized the use of atomic weapons in Manchuria on Januar 23, 1951.