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Dean
Acheson
 Dean
Acheson (1893-1971) worked very closely with both Presidents
Herbert Hoover and Harry S. Truman while serving as
the vice-chairman of the first Hoover Commission from
1947-1949. Acheson's first government post was that
of Under Secretary of the Treasury, a position he accepted
in 1933. Acheson held this post for less than a year
before he resigned in protest of Roosevelts's monetary
policy and returned to the private sector to practice
law.
Acheson was again called up for public service in 1941
when he became Assistant Secretary of State, later becoming
the Under Secretary of State in 1945 under Truman. It
was during these next two years that Acheson and Truman
developed a strong personal relationship, with the President
often consulting Acheson in the area of foreign policy.
Following 6 ½ years of service in the State Department,
Acheson resigned on June 30, 1947, intending to return
to his law practice.
Within three weeks of his resignation, Acheson accepted
an appointment to the newly created Commission on the
Reorganization of the Executive Branch, better known
as the Hoover Commission after its chairman, Herbert
Hoover. Acheson was one of four appointments made by
Truman to the twelve-member bipartisan commission. As
a trusted friend and advisor, Truman expected that Acheson
would represent the administration's interests on the
commission, a cause that would be furthered by his selection
as the vice-chairman.
During the next two years, Acheson worked very closely
with Hoover and the other members of the commission.
Despite their political differences, Acheson developed
a strong sense of respect for Hoover. In 1949, as the
commission was completing its work, Acheson was named
Truman's Secretary of State, a position he held until
Truman left office in 1953.
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