Dwight Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890, in Denison, Texas. He served as Supreme Allied Commander during World War II. After the war, he was elected president in 1952 and took office on January 20, 1953. Following are ten key facts that are important to understand when studying the life and presidency of Dwight David Eisenhower.
01of 10Attended West Point
Dwight D Eisenhower, Thirty-Fourth President of the United States. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, LC-USZ62-117123 DLC Dwight Eisenhower came from a poor family and decided to join the military to get a free college education. He attended West Point from 1911 to 1915. Eisenhower graduated from West Point as a Second Lieutenant and then continued his education at the Army War College.
02of 10Army Wife and Popular First Lady: Mamie Geneva Doud
Mamie (Marie) Geneva Doud Eisenhower (1896 - 1979). Hulton Archive / Stringer / Getty Images Mamie Doud came from a wealthy family in Iowa. She met Dwight Eisenhower while visiting Texas. As an army wife, she moved twenty times with her husband. They had one child live to maturity, David Eisenhower. He would follow in his father's footsteps at West Point and became an army officer. In later life, he was appointed as ambassador to Belgium by President Nixon.
Never Saw Active Combat
Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969) firing a German-made combination rifle-shotgun with telescopic sight. FPG / Getty Images Dwight Eisenhower toiled in relative obscurity as a junior officer until General George C. Marshall recognized his skills and assisted him in moving through the ranks. Surprisingly, in his thirty-five years of duty, he never saw active combat.
Supreme Allied Commander and Operation Overlord
Army Troops Wade Ashore on Omaha Beach - D-Day - June 6, 1944. US Coast Guard Photograph Eisenhower became commander of all US forces in Europe in June 1942. In this role, he led the invasions of North Africa and Sicily along with taking back Italy from German control. For his efforts, he was awarded the post of Supreme Allied Commander in February 1944 and placed in charge of Operation Overlord. For his successful efforts against the Axis powers, he was made a five star general in December 1944. He led the allies throughout the retaking of Europe. Eisenhower accepted Germany's surrender in May 1945.
05of 10Supreme Commander of NATO
Bess and Harry Truman. PhotoQuest / Getty Images After a brief respite from the military as the President of Columbia University, Eisenhower was called back to active duty. President Harry S. Truman appointed him the Supreme Commander of NATO. He served in this position until 1952.
Easily Won the Election of 1952
Dwight D. Eisenhower takes the Oath of Office as the President of the United States during his Inauguration January 20, 1953 in Washington D.C. Also pictured is former president Harry S. Truman and Richard M. Nixon. National Archive/Newsmakers. National Archive/Newsmakers As the most popular military figure of his time, Eisenhower was courted by both political parties as a potential candidate for the presidential election of 1952. He ran as a Republican with Richard M. Nixon as his Vice Presidential running mate. He easily defeated Democrat Adlai Stevenson with a commanding 55% of the popular vote and 83% of the electoral vote.
Brought an End to the Korean Conflict
11th August 1953: An exchange of prisoners between the United Nations and the Communists at Panmunjom, Korea. Central Press / Stringer / Getty Images In the election of 1952, the Korean Conflict was a central issue. Dwight Eisenhower campaigned on bringing the Korean Conflict to an end. After the election but before taking office, he traveled to Korea and participated in the signing of the armistice. This treaty divided the country into North and South Korea with a demilitarized zone between the two.
08of 10Eisenhower Doctrine
The Eisenhower Doctrine stated that the United States had the right to aid a country threatened by communism. Eisenhower believed in halting the advance of communism and took steps to this effect. He expanded the nuclear arsenal as a deterrent and was responsible for the embargo of Cuba because they were friendly with the Soviet Union. Eisenhower believed in the Domino Theory and sent military advisors to Vietnam to halt the advance of communism.
09of 10Desegregation of Schools
Eisenhower was president when the Supreme Court ruled on Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka Kansas. Even though the Supreme Court of the United States had ruled against segregation, the local officials refused to integrate the schools. President Eisenhower intervened by sending in federal troops to enforce the ruling.
10of 10U-2 Spy Plane Incident
Gary Powers, the American spy pilot shot down over Russia, with a model of the U 2 spy plane at a Senate Armed Forces Committee in Washington. Keystone / Stringer / Getty Images In May 1960, Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union in his U-2 Spy Plane. Powers was captured by the Soviet Union and held prisoner until his eventual release in a prisoner exchange. This event negatively impacted an already tense relationship with the Soviet Union.
