Biographical Chart: Dwight D.

Eisenhower
Full Name: Dwight David Eisenhower

Lifespan: October 14, 1890 - March 18, 1969

● Early Family Background and Created Family Structure

- Born in Denison, Texas, to Jacob Eisenhower and Ida Elizabeth Stover
Eisenhower. Dwight was the third of his parent’s seven sons. They lived in a
tiny house on the train tracks and his dad cleaned train engines for a living. His
mother was a religious pacifist who opposed war. He spent his youth in Abilene,
Kansas. When Dwight was four years old his 10-month old brother died of
diphtheria.
● Education
- Eisenhower attended Abilene High School and graduated in 1909. After two
years of working so his brother could attend college, Dwight was accepted an
appointment at West Point. He played football in college and English was his
best subject. He graduated in 1915 from West Point.
● Personality Characteristics and Areas of Aptitude, Talent, and
Interest
- Physically, Eisenhower was strong, athletic and good looking.
- Very interested in the military.
- Very good football player
- He was really into food, had a collection of recipes.
- He was interested in politics.
● Major Career/Professional Events and Accomplishments
- 34th president of the United States.
- One of the most highly regarded American generals of WWII.
- He was very interested in the military.
- Led the Allied Forces to victory in WWII.
- Used nuclear threat to end the Korean War.
● Personal Life Themes/Beliefs
- Very religious
- Inspired by military
- He wanted to become a general his whole life
- He wanted to eliminate discrimination in government contracting.
- He believed in hard work and courage.
● Selected Quotations
- “You don’t lead by hitting people over the head - that’s assault, not leadership.”
- “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.”
- “Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because
they want to do it.”
● Awards and Recognition
- Army and navy service medal.
- Fellow for life at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- In May 1945, he received a hero’s welcome at victory ceremonies in several
Allied capitals.
- World War II Victory Medal.
- Mexican Border Service Medal.
- Military Medal
● Death and Aftermath
- He died on March 28, 1969
- Died at age 78
- Died from congestive heart failure
- His body was on the last train used for funeral purposes.
- Buried as a General of the Army.
● Lasting Impact and Contributions
- Among presidents who held office in the last 75 years, he ranked behind only Franklin D.
Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. Eisenhower did not lead the country into war even
though he chose Indochina in 1954. He preserved peace and prosperity. He founded
People to People International.