1953-61 Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight David Eisenhower, GCB, (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969, popularly known as "Ike") was an American soldier and politician. As a Republican he was elected the 34th President of the United States (1953–1961). more...

During World War II he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe with the rank of General of the Army, and in 1949 became the first Supreme Commander of NATO.

Early life and family

Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas, the third of seven sons born to David Jacob Eisenhower and Ida Elizabeth Stover, and their only child born in Texas. He was named David Dwight, and was called Dwight. The Eisenhower family is from German descent and came from Forbach, Lorraine, but had lived in America since the 18th century. The family moved back to Abilene, Kansas in 1892. Eisenhower graduated from Abilene High School in 1909.

Eisenhower married Mamie Geneva Doud (1896–1979), of Denver, Colorado, on July 1, 1916. They had two children, Doud Dwight Eisenhower (1917–1921) whose tragic death in childhood haunted the couple, and John Sheldon David Doud Eisenhower (born 1922). John Eisenhower served in the United States Army, then became an author and served as U.S. Ambassador to Belgium. John's son, David Eisenhower, after whom Camp David is named, married Richard Nixon's daughter Julie in 1968.

Religion

When Ike was five years old, his parents became followers of the WatchTower Society, whose members later took the name Jehovah's Witnesses. The Eisenhower home served as the local meeting Hall from 1896 to 1915. Ike and his brothers also stopped associating regularly after 1915, but Ike's mother continued as an active member until her death. Ike enjoyed a close relationship with his mother throughout her lifetime. In later years, Eisenhower became a communicant in the Presbyterian church in 1953; in his retirement years, he was a member of the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

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