Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th president of the United States. He helped to ease Cold War tensions by promoting Atoms for Peace at the United Nations General Assembly. He is one of the lesser known presidents of the United States, but that doesn't mean his accomplishments should not still be remembered.
In the Beginning:
Dwight Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas. His parents were Ida Elizabeth Stover Eisenhower and David Jacob Eisenhower. Dwight was their third child out of seven boys. Before Dwight was born, his parents had recently moved from Abilene, Kansas to Denison, Texas. In Texas, the family resided in a tiny house near some railroad tracks. When he was only a year old, his family decided to move back to Abilene, Kansas. There, Dwight's father was able to take a good job working in his brother-in-law's creamery. When he was four, his brother Paul passed away at only ten months old. Regardless, Dwight had happy childhood memories growing up in Abilene. During this time of his life he spent a lot of time playing football and baseball. Dwight attended Abilene High School, and graduated in 1909. He joined his uncle and father working in the Belle Springs Creamery for a while. He also worked as a fireman occasionally. Once he earned enough money, he paid for his brother Edgar to attend the University of Michigan. Dwight attended college, but Edgar ended up not having to pay for his brother's tuition. Dwight had an appointment with the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York in 1911. He was able to attend for free. He became a football star, but suffered knee injuries later on, forcing him to quit playing. He graduated from West Point in 1915, and became a second lieutenant.
Career Accomplishments:
Later on in his life, Dwight was appointed the U.S. Army Chief of Staff in 1945. In 1951, Dwight became the first Supreme Allied Commander of the North Atlantic Treat Organization, or better known as NATO. He was elected for U.S. President in 1952. Dwight went on to serve two terms as president before retiring in 1961.
Most Known For:
Dwight is known as the 34th president of the United States. Throughout his military career, Dwight was promoted extensively. He was promoted to major general after he was transferred to the War Plans division in Washington, D.C. A few months later, he was once again promoted when he became commander-in-chief of the led Operation Torch and Allied Forces. On June 6, 1944, he commanded the Allied Forces during the Normandy invasion. During that same year he was promoted again to a five-star rank. During his presidency, he established Hawaii and Alaska as states.
Legacy:
After his presidency, Dwight retired to Gettysburg in his farmhouse alongside his wife Mamie. Even resigning his commission as a general once he became the president. Despite leaving his office, President Kennedy reactivated Dwight's commission. Dwight also had an office at Gettyburg College for the rest of his life. Where he wrote about his life and held a few meetings. Dwight Eisenhower had a successful military and presidential career. He passed away on March 28, 1969 at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. He had been suffering a long time with a heart related illness. He was honored with a state funeral at the nation's capital. A military funeral was also held in his hometown of Abilene, Kansas to honor Eisenhower.
