World War II: General Dwight D. Eisenhower - Literature review Example

Dwight D. Eisenhower political career, military career and personal life Dwight D. Eisenhower was considered to be a famous person in the area of American history and politics. This person attained a huge number of awards and testimonials in accordance to his achievements and honored proceedings. He served to the United States of America, and remained to be a patriotic person who devoted his life to his country and his nation. It is worse to mention that Dwight D. Eisenhower was a great military leader, progressive president and wise person. He was able to distribute military forces, to operate the country and maintain the family. It is impossible to overestimate the value of this person for American nation in general and for his family in particular, as Dwight D. Eisenhower has a unique ability to combine career and family life. However, sometimes his relatives were deprived by his attention and care; still, they did love their husband and father. Dwight D. Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas (Kelly, n.p.). Later on his relatives had a need to move to Abilene, Kansas, because of their economical status and inability to keep the family (Kelly, n.p.). His family was considered to be poor therefore he has a strong need to work since his early ages. Moreover, Eisenhower’s family had six children and it was not easy to maintain all of them. Concerning his education, it was local public school and military collage (Kelly, n.p.). The mater was that Dwight D. Eisenhower had no money to attend private educational institution and he made a decision to develop his qualities in military sphere. United States Naval Academy at Annapolis was free and he had not to pay for it (Darby, 13). What was more, Eisenhower did like sport and always succeeded in that affair, and so the military collage was an appropriate implementation of his desires. Although he intended to graduate the West Point what remained to be done. He finished his studying in 1915 and attained a rank of the second lieutenant (Bio, n.p.). These years he got acquainted with his wife Marie. It is worse to mention that “on Valentine’s Day, 1916, Marie Geneva Doud (Mamie) accepted Ike’s West Point ring to mark their engagement” (Darby, 24). Mamie and Ike remained to be their alias and close people had a right to name them in such a way. Eisenhower decided to continue his studying and military career, but since that time he pretended to have a family and needed to take care of it. Bachelor Officers’ Quarters provided three rooms apartment for the young family (Darby, 24). Eisenhower’s wife was from the well-off family, and her new home was not look like the place where she lived before as her father was “a wealthy meat-packing business owner” (Darby, 24). Still, this woman overcame all possible difficulties, and was ready to live in conditions that were proposed to them. Darby mentioned “Mamie was in love and anxious to be a good wife” (24), that was why she adored her husband and supported all his decisions. Concerning all this facts, it was worse to mention that Eisenhower’s family was strong and sturdy. Nevertheless, the restless time was coming and Dwight needed to take part in military protection of America. “During World War I, he was a training instructor and commander of a training center” (Kelly, n.p.). The fact that United States was separated from alarming Europe by the ocean defended Eisenhower from strong fighting. Still, his martial spirit was always ready to protect the country. Besides, this was a great time for the happiness and fun. His wife was informed and experienced in organizing parties, and their family liked to entertain their friend and gathered together a lot of times in that period. During such meetings they played cards, listened to a good music and sang songs, the interesting fact was that “their apartment soon became known as “Club Eisenhower” (Darby, 24). 1917 was regarded as rather successful for him concerning his private life. Dwight D. Eisenhower was young and full of strength for a new destinations and plans (Darby, 24). This year their first child was born, and Mamie with Ike were extremely happy because of it. Doud Dwight was considered to be their son, and huge hopes and plans were put on this small boy. But in the age of three the boy died from scarlet fever, what was a great tragedy for parents (Bio, n.p.). However, they both had enough power to survive and save the family. And in year 1922 Mary gave birth to their second son John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower. Also “That year, Eisenhower assumed the role of executive officer to General Fox Conner in the Panama Canal Zone” (Bio, n.p.). Later on Eisenhower was pretended to graduate Army’s prestigious school the Command and General Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas (Bio, n.p.). Since that period a successful military career made a start in his life and great achievements and posts became to be allowed for Dwight D. Eisenhower. “From 1927 to 1929 Eisenhower toured and reported for the War Department, under General John Pershing. After finishing his tour in 1929, Eisenhower was appointed chief military aide under General Douglas MacArthur. From 1935 to 1939 Eisenhower served under MacArthur as assistant military advisor to the Philippines. Eisenhower returned to the United States in early 1940” (Bio, n.p.). The times of World War II were coming and deep conflict between strong countries was ready to explode. It should be mentioned that Eisenhower was waiting for an involving America into this war. It was considered to be his excellent opportunity to become a leader and influential person in the highest levels of governance. The attack on Pearl Harbor helped Eisenhower to attain the post in “the General Staff in Washington where he devised war plans for defeating Germany and Japan” (Hickman, n.p.). When he became a Chief of the War Plans Division, Eisenhower was soon elevated to “Assistant Chief of Staff overseeing the Operations Division under Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall” (Hickman, n.p.). While this period Eisenhower entirely impressed Marshall with his great organizational skills and leadership abilities, therefore Marshall appointed him as “a commander of the European Theater of Operations (ETOUSA) on June 24, 1942” (Hickman, n.p.). After that Eisenhower came to London and applied for a Supreme Allied Commander of the North African Theater of Operations (NATOUSA) (Hickman, n.p.). A strict and powerful military leader commanded the Operation Torch landings in North Africa. Moreover, “on February 11, 1943, he led the Tunisian Campaign to successful a conclusion that May” (Hickman, n.p.). “In December, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was unwilling to allow Marshall to leave Washington, directed that Eisenhower be made Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) which would place him in charge of the planned landings in France” (Hickman, n.p.). It should be mentioned that Eisenhower demonstrated an accurate controlling and extensive diplomatic and political skill during this operation. It should be admitted that Eisenhower returned from Europe as a real hero for the United States. For this period he achieved the highest military rank, and was ready for retirement and calm life. Still, the American government was in high need of this person. The political revolution was close to the American people and change of president was an appropriate decision for USA. Democrats and Republicans were two most powerful forces in American political area, and both of them wanted to assign Eisenhower as a leader of their parties. Still, he chose the position of Republicans and started his president’s campaign (Darby, 77). “On November 4, 1952, after winning the election by a landslide, Eisenhower was elected the United States 34th president” (Bio, n.p.). The politics of this president was wise and purposeful. He was experienced by war and well informed in accordance to the situation in Europe and Asia. That was why Eisenhower had straightforward plans and essential course in his presidency. “In foreign policy, Eisenhower made reducing Cold War tensions through military negotiation a main focus of his administration” (Bio, n.p.). He understood that the times of USA governance and leadership in the world came. In 1956 he was elected for a second term and continued his presidency in USA (Darby, 82). In this term he continued his promotion of Atoms for Peace program. Also “in 1960, a Civil Rights Act was passed to included sanctions against any local officials who blocked blacks from voting” (Kelly, n.p.). After the finishing of second term Eisenhower went on retirement and lived with his wife in a farm. These years were rather hard in the dimension of his health. He experienced a huge number of heart attacks and died on March 28, 1969 (Kelly, n.p.). His wife stayed with him, and was devoted to him till the end of his life. This woman was strong and wise in the relationships with his husband. She moved with him to different places all their life and she adored him every single minute. All in all, we might come to conclusion that 34th president of USA Dwight D. Eisenhower remained to be a great person. He began as a poor boy that needed to earn money for his family and transferred into a wise commander and aimed president of the country. He found a way to live a worthy life and stayed in the memory of Americans as honorable person. Moreover, he had a firm family and credible relationships with his wife. Reference List: Darby, Jean. “Dwight D. Eisenhower: A Man Called Ike”. USA: Twenty-First Century Books, 1989. “Dwight David Eisenhower”. Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 01 Oct. 2014. Hickman, Kennedy. “World War II: General Dwight D. Eisenhower - A Military Profile”. About education, 2014 About.com. Web. Kelly, Martin. “Dwight D. Eisenhower - Thirty-Fourth President of the United States”. About education, 2014 About.com. Web. . Read More