Series: Eisenhower in World War II

When the United States entered WWII, Dwight D. Eisenhower was the Chief of Staff for the Third Army. Less than four years later, he was a 5-star general who commanded millions of soldiers, sailors, and airmen from a broad Allied coalition. Eisenhower became one of the most influential generals in American history. Learn about Ike's rise to prominence and his wartime service and leadership through this series of articles.

• Article 1: Eisenhower in 1942

  

  1942 was a year of extraordinary development and growth for Dwight D. Eisenhower. During that year, Ike brought stability to the early U.S. War effort. Before there was the seasoned and confident Eisenhower of 1944, there had to be the Eisenhower of 1942. Read more

• Article 2: Eisenhower in 1943

  

  1943 was a year of maturation, flexibility, and lessons learned for General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Explore Eisenhower's growth as a commander during the North Africa and Sicily Campaigns with this article. Read more

• Eisenhower National Historic Site

  Article 3: General Dwight D. Eisenhower

  

  General Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), born in Texas to pacifist parents and a graduate of the West Point Class of 1915, was one of the most important American generals of World War II. He was best known by the nickname acquired while growing up in Abilene, Kansas - Ike. Read more

• Article 4: Eisenhower's Military Career Outside of WWI and WWII

  

  While best known for his service during World War II, Dwight Eisenhower had a lengthy military career outside of the First and Second World Wars. His many postings and positions enabled his development as a leader, ultimately helping him become a five-star general and future president. Read more

• Article 5: A Day When Everything Changed- Dwight Eisenhower and the Attack on Pearl Harbor

  

  On December 7, 1941, Dwight Eisenhower was a fifty-one-year-old Bvt. Brigadier General at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. The events of that day would forever change both Eisenhower’s life and the course of world history. Read more

• Article 6: "Spine of Steel": Mamie Eisenhower in World War II

  

  During World War II, while Dwight Eisenhower ascended to high command and fame, he relied heavily upon his wife, Mamie. Mamie Eisenhower served in her own way during the war, persevering through trials and tribulations to support her husband and her country. Read more

• Article 7: A Season of Hardship and Struggle: Eisenhower's World War II Christmases

  

  For soldiers, especially during wartime, Holiday joy and the comfort of hearth and home are often a very far cry away. This was true as well for General Dwight Eisenhower who experienced several Christmases away from his loving wife and son during the great conflict of World War II. However, there were still glimpses of normalcy and holiday cheer that pushed their way through to the fighting men even during the bloody acts of war. Read more

• Eisenhower National Historic Site

  Article 8: “The present situation is to be regarded as one of opportunity for us and not of disaster…" Dwight Eisenhower and the Battle of the Bulge

  

  The Battle of the Bulge stands as one of the great contests of the Second World War. Eisenhower and his commanders had been ill prepared for the German counteroffensive, losing significant ground in the battle’s early days. While the Americans had ultimately regained their lost positions, it came at a steep cost. Over 105,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured, or missing, equating to roughly one out of every ten American casualties for the entire war. Read more

• Article 9: A United Force: Eisenhower and AAF Strategy for Operation Overlord

  

  Dwight Eisenhower's ability to manage multiple commanders and forces did not only apply to ground troops in World War II. Managing the war in the skies above Europe proved equally as important and challenging for Eisenhower and the Allies. Explore this story further here. Read more