Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight David Eisenhower

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.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was Eisenhower considered a hero during World War II?
  2. What important job did Eisenhower do during the Normandy invasion?
  3. How did President Eisenhower help with school integration?
  4. What were some ways Eisenhower worked to reduce conflict during the Cold War?

Glossary

  • Military Academy: A school that trains students to become officers in the military.
  • Captain: A mid-level officer rank in the military.
  • Supreme Allied Commander: The top leader of Allied military forces in Europe during World War II.
  • Normandy Invasion (D-Day): A major World War II operation where Allied forces landed in France to fight the Germans.
  • Integration: Bringing people of different races together in schools or public places.

Simplified HTML Version

Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Texas in 1890 and grew up in Kansas. He went to the U.S. Military Academy and became a soldier.

During World War II, Eisenhower led the Allied forces in Europe. He helped plan the D-Day invasion in France and became a top general.

In 1952, Eisenhower became the 34th U.S. President. He ended the Korean War, helped schools become integrated, and worked to keep peace during the Cold War.