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Dwight D Eisenhower Facts

Dwight D Eisenhower Facts
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th United States President, serving from 1953 until his retirement in 1961. He was famous for his work with NATO, becoming the first Supreme Allied Commander of NATO in 1951. Dwight D. Eisenhower was born Dwight David Eisenhower on October 14th, 1890, in Denison, Texas, to David Jacob Eisenhower, an engineer, and Ida Elizabeth (Stover) Eisenhower. Dwight was the third son of seven boys to be born in his family. As a child Dwight began reading his mother's history books, which is believed to have sparked his military interest. In 1911 Dwight was accepted at West Point, and his military career began.
Interesting Dwight D Eisenhower Facts:
Dwight D. Eisenhower's nickname was 'Ike'. As a child all of the boys in his family had been called Ike in some way - Big Ike, Little Ike etc... Ike was the family's abbreviation of Eisenhower. Dwight was the only one for whom the name Ike remained by the time World War 2 broke out.
While stationed in Texas Dwight D. Eisenhower met Mamie Geneva Doud, and in 1916 he proposed.
Dwight and Mamie had two sons, and the first son Doud Dwight died when he was only three, of scarlet fever. They had another son John Sheldon Doud in 1922.
Dwight D. Eisenhower graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1926 as first in a class of 245.
Between 1935 and 1939 Eisenhower was assistant military advisor to the Philippines under General Douglas MacArthur.
In 1941 Eisenhower became chief of staff for the Third Army, then soon after he was promoted to brigadier general.
In 1942 Eisenhower was promoted to major general, and then soon after he became the Allied Forces commander-in-chief for Operation Torch, which was the invasion of North Africa.
During the first 35 years of marriage the Eisenhowers moved frequently because of military obligations and promotions.
During World War 2 Dwight Eisenhower became the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces.
Following Germany's surrender in 1945 Eisenhower was appointed the military governor of the U.S. Occupied Zone, and soon after U.S. Army chief of staff.
In 1950 Eisenhower accepted the position of first Supreme Allied Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
He was then encouraged to seek the position of U.S. President.
In 1952 Eisenhower was elected as the President and he served two consecutive terms.
Eisenhower was able to bring peace to the South Korea border in 1953 through an armistice.
Eisenhower gave his 'Atoms of Peace' speech in 1953 and helped reduce some of the tension regarding the development of atomic bombs. A 1955 meeting of the major powers further helped to reduce the threat of atomic war.
Eisenhower was president when Hawaii and Alaska became states.
When he retired Eisenhower and his wife settles in Gettysburg in a farmhouse.
Dwight D. Eisenhower died on March 28th, 1969, in Washington, D.C., due to heart problems. He was 78.
Dwight D. Eisenhower's grandson David is the namesake of Camp David, the country retreat of the United States President.


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