Dwight D. Eisenhower
U.S. Army General of the Army
34th U.S. President of the United States (POTUS) 1953–1961

Background
Dwight David Eisenhower was born October 14, 1890 to parents David J. Eisenhower and Ida Stover as the third of seven sons in Denison, Texas. Nicknamed "Ike" an abbreviation for his surname and as a family nickname and would later use in politics.

Eisenhower requested consideration for an appointment at either U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) or United States Military Academy (USMA) with his U.S. Senator, Joseph L. Bristow and was among the winners of the entrance exam but was beyond the age limit for Naval Academy. In 1911, he accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point class of 1915.

Philippine Service
In 1935, Major Eisenhower was assigned to the staff of General Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines as a military advisor to the Philippine government to develop the Philippine Army. Base in Manila, he had disagreements with Macarthur about leadership, philosophy and the role of the Philippine Army. While in Manila, his wife Mamie had a life-threatening stomach ailment but recovered fully. In 1936, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1937, Eisenhower learned to fly with the Philippine Army Air Corp (PAAC) at Zablan Field, one of his instructors was Jesús A. Villamor. In 1939 he earned his private pilot license at Fort Lewis Airfield.

Wartime History
During World War II, served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe and was promoted to the rank of five-star General of the Army. During 1942-1943, he planned and supervised Operation Torch the invasion of North Africa. During 1944-1945 he planned the invasion of Normandy on D-Day June 6, 1944 and Allied offensive on the western front.

Postwar
Eisennhower became the 34th President of the United States (POTUS) in office January 20, 1953–January 20, 1961 with Vice President Richard M. Nixon.

Memorials
Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969 at age 78. He is buried at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Chapel in Abilene, Kansas.

References
The White House - Dwight D. Eisenhower
FindAGrave - Dwight David Eisenhower (photo, grave photos)
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum

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