When President Truman retired from office in 1952, his income consisted of a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 per year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally,licking them, granted him an "allowance" and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.

However, when offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined,
stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the president,and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."

When Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing:"I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

They don't make 'em like the used to.