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Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower
How did this individual change the world?
AMERICAN HISTORY 9
On October 14, 1890, at 5:19 p.m., at the corner of Lamar Avenue and Day Street,
Denison, Texas, David Dwight Eisenhower was born to the proud parents - David and
Ida (Stover) Eisenhower. His family had always addressed him by his middle name
(Dwight) to differentiate him from his father. Later he became known as Dwight D.
Eisenhower, transposing his first and middle names. I found this to be very interesting,
because I never heard that his real name was David Dwight Eisenhower. Also that his
nickname progressed from “Little Ike” to “Ikey” a few days later, then to “Ikky”, but
later changed to the spelling of “Icky”. Hence the irresistible slogan “I like Ike”.
Living during a time when a high school education was considered a luxury for
most, all 6 (living to maturity) of the Eisenhower boys graduated, and, at their parents’
urging, dared to dream of even a college education. His parents seemed very
supportive and encouraging. I wonder if he had been born to different parents, would
he have accomplished the same wonderful things? He graduated from Abilene High
School in 1909, excelling in sports. In 1911 he obtained an appointment to the West
Point Military Academy, graduating June 12, 1915. He was commissioned a second
lieutenant and assigned to the 19th infantry, San Antonio, Texas. It was there in October
1915, that he met his future wife, Mamie Geneva Doud. They married at 12 noon on July
1, 1916 in the Doud family home. They had two sons together, Doud Dwight Eisenhower
(September 24, 1917) and Sheldon Doud Eisenhower (August 3, 1922). Tragically, their
first son had died at the age of three from scarlet fever. His death remained an open
wound, one of which the couple would never fully recover. This is very understandable.
The death of a young child would be hard for anyone to overcome. I’m surprised he
continued on with his military career. Maybe it was part of his way to cope with the
loss.
After resigning from the Army to run, Dwight David Eisenhower was elected the
th
34 president of the United States on November 4, 1952. Ending the war in Korea was
one of his principal campaign promises. After defeating the Democratic Challenger
Adlai Stevenson, he set about fulfilling that promise. Eisenhower laid the groundwork
for ending the war, before he’d even taken office. To me, this shows that he was an
honest and not corrupt politician. He said what he would do, and it wasn’t just to win
the election. He was sincere and that’s always a good quality, especially when it
comes to running a country. Just months after his inauguration, he delivered on his
campaign pledge, bring the Korean War to an end (July of 1953).
Bob Hope, entertainer, Jesse Owens, Olympic Champion, Joyce Hall of Hallmark
Cards, and amusement creator Walt Disney all have one thing in common. People to
People Heritage.
In 1956 these citizen leaders sat shoulder to shoulder with their friend President
Dwight D. Eisenhower in founding an organization to promote world peace and
understanding: People to People. This would continue on to be a successful program
for years to come and is the primary reason I chose to do my report on Dwight D.
Eisenhower. I was lucky enough to take part in this program three summers ago, and
it definitely changed my understanding of different nations.
The president knew from his experience as a military commander that ordinary
citizens of different nations could make a difference where governments could not. He
wanted people to know and understand that while we are all very different, our values,
goals, and day-to-day issues are very much the same. Through his discussions with
leaders of the time, came several People to People initiatives, including Sister Cities
International and Project Hope.
During his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed leisurely activities. From
painting, golf, raising livestock, gardening, reading, and playing cards, he enjoyed his
‘time off’ from his stressful life and did need his long awaited vacation. He spent his last
year at Walter Reed Army Hospital as his health rapidly declined. His heart was
weakening, slowly ending his life. Mamie stayed by his side, living in a small room just
off the presidential suite. Finally, on March 28, 1969, Dwight D. Eisenhower uttered his
last words, “I want to go; God take me.” His heart gave up its struggle and he died
peacefully. Following a state funeral in Washington, DC, Eisenhower was buried in a
modest chapel on the grounds of the Eisenhower Center, where he joined Doud Dwight,
the son he had lost nearly fifty years beforehand. Dwight D. Eisenhower had returned
home to stay.
References
http://www.accuracyproject.org/cbe-Eisenhower,DwightD..html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/de34.html
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAeisenhower.htm
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/character/essays/eisenhower.html
http://www.ambassadorprograms.org/50years/history/default.asp