The Gourgas Medal:
(The Little Known Story)
 
The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, 
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, established 
its highest honor in 1938. It named it "The 
Gourgas Medal" to honor John James 
Joseph Gourgas, considered the "Conservator
of the Scottish Rite." He was the
Grand Secretary General from its beginning 
in 1813 - 1832; Sovereign Grand Commander,
1832-1861. It was to be conferred
for "notably distinguished service in the 
cause of Freemasonry, humanity or 
country. "
 
The Award was established during the
outstanding reign of Melvin Maynard Johnson,
Sovereign Grand Commander, from 1933- 54.
Johnson had served as Grand Master of
Masons in Massachusetts from 1914-16. 
Throughout his long service to the Craft, he 
never forgot his roots, which, as they are for 
every Freemason, found in Symbolic Masonry.
 
Although the Award was authorized in 1938 
it was 1943 before the first recipient was 
chosen. He wasn't a 33 Scottish Rite 
Mason; he wasn't even a member of the 
Northern Jurisdiction! He was a controver-
sial figure--a -"Roosevelt Democrat!" He 
wasn't "we!l-known" except for much of the
media that constantly vilified him.
 
He was Harry S. Truman, a senator from 
Missouri, who had served as Grand Master 
of Masons in Missouri from 194041.
 
Johnson, and the Active Members of the 
Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Juris-
diction, were fully aware of Truman's Ma-
sonic dedication and his love for his country.
They knew how he had fought to force large 
contractors to give the war effort full value 
for the money they invested. Through his 
efforts in the Congress, billions of dollars 
were saved, and thousands of servicemen 
and women owe him their lives. And most of 
this was accomplished by Truman at his own 
expense and on his own time.
 
Truman was unable to accept invitations in 
1943 and 1944 to receive the Gourgas 
Medal. His war activities in the Senate took 
all the time he could muster. Fate inter-
vened; Franklin D. Roosevelt, a New York 
Freemason, died-- Harry S. Truman be-
came President of the United States.
 
On October 19, 1945, Truman, after a 
lengthy controversy, was finally coroneted 
with the 33 of the Southern Jurisdiction, 
the first President ever to be so crowned.
 
Melvin M. Johnson, Grand Commander of 
the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, along 
with many Masonic dignitaries, traveled to 
the rose garden at the White House. There 
Johnson awarded his friend and Masonic 
Brother with the highest award of his organi-
zation--the Gourgas Medal.     AER 
?Editor~s note: For the complete story of 
Truman, Johnson, the Gourgas Medal and
the 33 see "Briother Truman"  by Allen E.
Roberts?
