Early Life

Dwight D. Eisenhower was a commander during World War II and the 34th President of the United States. He was born in Denison, Texas, in 1890, the third of seven sons. The family moved to Abilene, Kansas, when Dwight was two years old. In 1911, Eisenhower enrolled in the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1915.

War Hero and 34th President

In 1917, Eisenhower was promoted to captain. Three years later he was promoted to major. Although Eisenhower’s military career stagnated for the next two decades, he served as chief military aide to Douglas MacArthur from 1933 to 1935. Eisenhower’s great organizational and leadership skills were finally recognized during World War II when he was given command of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and NATOUSA. In these positions, he oversaw allied invasions of Italy and Sicily. In 1943, he was appointed Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. Here, Eisenhower was in charge of the invasion of Normandy Beach, France, the liberation of Western Europe, and the invasion of Germany. On December 20, 1944, Eisenhower was named General of the Army. Following the war, Eisenhower won numerous military and international awards. Seven years after the end of the war, Eisenhower was elected as the 34th President of the United States. As president, he negotiated a peace treaty ending the Korean War. He also facilitated integration of America’s public schools and eased tensions produced by the Cold War by negotiating with world leaders concerning nuclear weapons.