Published February 27, 2012

Prince Abdul Ilah’s Visit to the United States at the End of World War II

At the end of World War II, the regent and heir apparent to the throne of Iraq, Prince Abdul Ilah, was invited to visit the United States. Learn more about his visit with the Washington Post article and photographs from the time.

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Here’s an interesting story from the end of World War II.

Near the end of the war, the Crowned Prince of Iraq, Abdul Ilah was due to visit Washington and newly inaugurated President Truman (Roosevelt died only a little over a month earlier). Below is an article from the Washington Post, on May 10th, a couple of weeks before the visit.

Prince Abdul Ilah, regent and heir apparent to the throne of Iraq, will visit the United States May 28 at the invitation of President Truman.
White House Press Secretary Jonathan Daniels said yesterday the Prince will remain several days as the President’s guest and later visit other sections of the United States “to acquaint himself with various aspects of American cultural, scientific and economic life.”

Prince Adful Ilah of Iraq laying a wreath before a monument in Washington, DC. (May 8th, 1945) — Prince Abdul Ilah of Iraq laying a wreath before a monument in Washington, DC. (May 28th, 1945)

During his visit to the nation’s capital, Ilah was awarded a Legion of Merit military decoration by the President (a pretty major honor — Omar Bradley, Buzz Aldrin and Eisenhower are also recipients). On May 30th, he was the guest of honor at a men’s dinner given by the Minister of Iraq, Ali Jawdat.

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According to the Washington Post, some seriously important people were in attendance., including the Minister of Iran, Mohammed Shayesteh and the Minister of Afghanistan, Abdol Hosayn Aziz. The following day, the Minister of Iran hosted a luncheon in honor of the Crown Prince.

It’s fascinating to see the similarities and differences of the geopolitical situation 70 years ago.