Dwight D. Eisenhower

I

Introduction

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), American military leader and 34th president of the United States (1953-1961). He was the supreme commander of the Allies in Europe during World War II (1939-1945) and the first Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces. As a soldier he commanded the invasion of Normandy (Normandie) and, in the Battle of the Bulge, defeated Germany’s last offensive. As president he ended the Korean War in 1953, launched the Interstate Highway System, built up America’s nuclear arsenal, and kept peace while pursuing a policy of containing Communism throughout the world.

II

Early Life

Eisenhower was the third son of David and Ida Stover Eisenhower. He was born on October 14, 1890, in Denison, Texas, and named David Dwight Eisenhower, although he was known as Dwight David. In 1891 the family moved to Abilene, Kansas, where three more sons were born. It was a typical small town, located on the prairie in the middle of the nation. Eisenhower later said, “I come from the very heart of America.”

Eisenhower and his older brothers were all called “Ike” by their family: Eisenhower was “Little Ike.” David Eisenhower was a mechanic at the local creamery, where he earned barely enough to support his large family. The boys raised much of the family’s food in a large garden. They had regular chores such as feeding the chickens or starting the morning fire in the wood stove and, when they were old enough, they had regular jobs. Little Ike could not remember a time when he did not work.

Eisenhower’s father was stern, but his mother was warm and loving. They were both deeply religious. The family read the Bible and prayed each night; Sundays were devoted to church services. They planted in their sons a lifelong commitment to duty, responsibility, and honesty.

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Eisenhower had a terrible temper and got into many fistfights. Once, when he was not allowed to go trick-or-treating with his older brothers on Halloween, he furiously pounded his fists against an apple tree until they were bloody. His mother bandaged his hands and told him he had to learn to control that temper, adding “He that conquereth his own soul is greater than he who taketh a city.” He later called this the most valuable moment of his life.

In high school he was an athletic star, excelling as an outfielder in baseball and a tackle in football. Sports were his obsession, to the exclusion of any other diversion. He was only an average student except in his favorite subject, which was history.

A

Education

Both Eisenhower and his older brother Edgar wanted to attend college, but the family could not afford the tuition. The brothers agreed to work alternate years, with the brother who was working paying the fees of the one attending school. In the fall of 1909 Eisenhower went to work at the creamery where his father worked and was able to send Edgar more than $200. In 1910 Eisenhower learned that he could get a free college education if he could get an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He had no particular desire to be a soldier, but studied hard for the competitive West Point entrance exam and won the appointment in 1911. At West Point Eisenhower was an average student. He was active in sports but had to quit the football team when he injured his knee. He almost resigned, but his roommate convinced him to finish his education. He graduated in 1915, ranked 61st in a class of 164 men.

B

Marriage

Eisenhower’s first assignment as a new army officer was at Fort Sam Houston, near San Antonio, Texas. Shortly after he arrived he met 18-year-old Mamie Geneva Doud. They dated against the wishes of her father, who did not want his daughter to marry a soldier. On July 1, 1916, they were married. They had two sons: Doud Dwight, who died in childhood, and John.

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