Harry S. Truman Lodge 649 located in Naples, Italy was founded on 16 March 1963 and the first installation was held on 20 April of the same year. The first Worshipful Master was George H. Ruggles. The origins of H.S.T start with post war occupation, from the invasion of Sicily to the control of Naples. The OSS, which then became the CIA in 1947, identified Brother Earl Brennan (member of the secret intelligence) who kept contacts with exiled Italian Masons as the official contact with the hierarchy of the Grande Oriente Italia (G.O.I). Brother Brennan then appointed important Brothers like Frank Gigliotti, who was responsible of the USA Committee for the Italian Masonic reunification, this he accomplished with the support of the US Ambassador in Rome, James Zellerbach.

The Masonic reconstruction in Italy started in the south of Italy and as the occupation edged its way north. Lodge meetings restarted their ritual works as the Allies advanced north. Governors were placed in key cities. Brother Charles Poletti, Colonol in the Army and member of the OSS was named Governor of Palermo and then Naples. It was Brother Poletti who returned to the Neoapolitan Masonry their current location in the Gallaria Umberto.

Italian Masonry in recognition of the American Masonic Lodges. H.S.T. was located in Naples, George Washington in Vincenza, Benjamin Franklin in Livorno, Verona American Lodge in Verona, and the Aviano Lodge in Friuli. Sigonella Travel lodge is the latest American Lodge to be chartered, while the Verona and Aviano lodges have gone dormant.

H.S.T. met in the Galleria Umberto up until 1973, but due to reconstruction in the main entrance where the HST held their meetings they transferred to the NATO base in Bagnoli. From Bagnoli the lodge moved to Cuma, Castelvolturno and finally our current location in Gricignano.

H.S.T. Lodge gets its name from the 33rd President of the United States, initiated on 09 February 1909 in Benton Lodge 450 in Grandview, passed to Fellowcraft on 09 March 1909 and Master on 18 March of the same year. In September of 1940 he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. President Truman passed away on 26 December 1972 at the age of 88. There is no actual documentation on why Harry S. Truman was used as the Lodge name. The founding Master Masons submitted the name to the Grande Oriente d'Italia (GOI). With Brother Truman's masonic history it is understandable that the founding Masons of our Lodge chose our 33rd President as our Lodge name.

Although H.S.T falls under the G.O.I. and the Collegio Campania Lucania we utilize the California Ritual and operate as an American Lodge. Due to H.S.T. being a military lodge, the constant turnover of brothers, has made finding historical documentation difficult. Two Brothers reached out to give their recollections of the time spent in Naples.

Brother Jim Szeredy who was inititiated in 1974 who gave an extensive letter on H.S.T. and his years in Naples, from yearly boat trip to Capri, Over-Under Table during Festa Americana in Carney Park, and the strong fellowship in the Lodge.

Also PM Art Hermanson who was initiated in 1977 and served as Worshipful Master in 1985. Once again the bond and fellowship that was present in the past is currently thriving and strong.