Dwight Eisenhower's Life

Dwight David Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas.  His family moved to Abilene, Kansas where his father bought a house on a 10-acre farm. He worked on the farm with his four brothers. His nickname was "Ike" which was what everybody called him. In high school he worked nights at the creamery where he studied his lessons. He was accepted to West Point and graduated in 1915. The next year in 1916, Dwight Eisenhower married Marie Geneva "Mamie" Doud. General Douglas MacArthur asked Dwight to assist him in planning the defense of the Philippines. In 1942 Eisenhower became the commanding General of the American Forces in the European theater and the commander-in-chief of the Allied Forces in North Africa, commanding the British and American troops. One year later he was promoted to full (four star) general. On June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, he was promoted to General of the Army. On May 7, 1945 the German Army surrendered. For the next three years Dwight was Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army until he was named President of Columbia University. He was nominated by the Republicans to run for President in 1952 and he won. While he was President, in 1955 he suffered a severe heart attack and another stroke. He ran for President in 1956 and won. He served two terms as President of the United States. During his administration he was engaged in foreign policy, which ended the Korean War, and negotiating with China, Cuba, and Russia. He retired in  1961 and he died in Washington, D.C. at Walter Reed Hospital on March 28, 1969. Note: Eisenhower was President form 1953 through 1961 and the Vice President was Richard Milhous Nixon.