Dwight David Eisenhower1890-1969
raised in Abilene KSStrict Pennsylvania Dutch family Strong work ethic and discipline
Middle-American background
Military Career
Graduated U.S. Military Academy (West Point) 1915;To Brigadier General 1941
Served as major under prominent generals
Fox Connor (Canal Zone)
John J. Pershing (Battle Monuments Commn)
Douglas MacArthur,
(Bonus March and Philippines;
rocky)George C. Marshall (chief of staff WWII)
Rose to great prominence in World War II
Commanding General, European Theater of Operations US Army1942-1945
Supreme Allied Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force1943-1945incl. in charge of Normandy invasion
Chief of Staff, US Army1945-1948agreed with containment policy for USSR in 1947
Then a political and social educationhobnobbing with the elite
Supreme Commander of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 1950-1952
president Columbia University (NYC)1948-1950 and 1952-1953
34th President of the United States1953-1961
Often considered a do-nothing, relaxed golfer rather than a president
In reality, a pragmatic and stern Cold Warrior
Who also battled extremism in his own party at home
And has come to be considered a serious leader
Ike was the last US president born in the 19chis defeat by John F. Kennedy
signaled a generational shift of power