TRUMAN'S CLOSE CALL

Unlike Puerto Rico today, in 1950 they were screaming for independence.  Pro-independence activists Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola hatched a plot to assassinate President Truman.  It was November 1, 1950 and Truman was staying at Blair House while the White House was being renovated.
Torresola was the only one skilled in the use of fire arms and the ones chosen for the deed were a German Luger and a P-38 pistol.  Collazo did not even know how to load his pistol.  They were much aware that they would be killed.  The plot was hatched in New York City.  They took the train to Washington and went to Blair House, with Torresola approaching the entry gate on foot while Collazo walked up behind Capitol Police Officer Donald Birdzell,who was standing on the steps of Blair House.  Collazo had failed to chamber a round and the pistol did not fire but just as Birdzell turned he chambered a round and shot him in the knee.  Hearing the shots Secret Service Agent Vincent Mroz rushed outside and shot Collazo on the front steps.  Two other agents also fired on Collazo.
Meanwhile Torresola approached the guard booth at the west corner of the property and shot officer Leslie Coffelt four times, mortally wounding him.  He then turned to the house and fired on the officers there wounding two.  While reloading, Officer Coffelt staggered outside his booth and fired once hitting Torresola in the head killing him instantly.  The whole affair lasted about 40 seconds.
Officer Coffelt died four hours later!......Medicineman!