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Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Dwight David Eisenhower, 1890-1969. General of the Army; Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, World War II; 34th President of the United States, 1953-1961. Excellent content Typed Letter Signed as President-Elect, Dwight D. Eisenhower, one page, 7" x 10¼", Hotel Commodore, New York City, on stationery of the Office of Dwight D. Eisenhower, December 23, 1952.
Writing to thank a supporter for her efforts in the 1952 presidential campaign, Eisenhower talks of the "high privilege" of serving as President. In part: “The dedicated group of Americans who organized themselves into the now famous movement known as ‘Citizens for Eisenhower-Nixon,' played a unique role in the events that led to our victory on November 4th. That night we won the right and the high privilege to embark upon the Crusade to which you and I had pledged ourselves. To justify their faith and confidence, we now have the responsibility of putting into effect the mandate of our countrymen."
During his military career, Eisenhower eschewed politics and never disclosed his party preference. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman offered to run as vice president if Eisenhower would accept the Democratic presidential nomination, but Eisenhower declined. Four years later, Eisenhower accepted the call of internationalist Republicans to oppose isolationist Ohio Senator Robert Taft for the Republican nomination. As the NATO supreme commander following World War II, Eisenhower fully understood the role that the United States had to play in world affairs. He announced that he was a Kansas Republican and agreed to seek the nomination.
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, General George C. Marshall called Eisenhower to Washington for a war plans assignment. Eisenhower commanded the Allied forces landing in North Africa in November 1942. The day before Christmas 1943, he was appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, and he commanded the troops invading France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. On December 20, 1944, he was promoted to General of the Army.
After the war, Eisenhower was appointed Army Chief of Staff. During his tenure, he became the first Army Chief of Staff under the unification of armed services within the newly created Department of Defense.
Eisenhower retired from the Army in to become President of Columbia University, then took leave to assume supreme command over the new NATO forces being assembled in 1951. Republican emissaries to his headquarters near Paris persuaded him to run for President in 1952. ”I like Ike” was an irresistible slogan, and Eisenhower won a sweeping victory.
He brought to the Presidency his prestige as commanding general of the victorious forces in Europe during World War II. He obtained a truce in Korea and worked incessantly during his two terms to ease the tensions of the Cold War. He pursued the moderate policies of ”Modern Republicanism,” pointing out as he left office, ”America is today the strongest, most influential, and most productive nation in the world.”
Before he left office in January 1961, for his farm in Gettysburg, he urged the necessity of maintaining an adequate military strength but cautioned that vast, long-continued military expenditures could breed potential dangers to our way of life. He concluded with a prayer for peace ”in the goodness of time.” Both themes remained timely and urgent when he died, after a long illness, on March 28, 1969.
It is hard to find good content Eisenhower letters from the period just before and during his presidency. This one has excellent content.
Eisenhower has boldly signed this letter in black. The letter has a couple of small tears in the upper right, well removed from the text and the signature, and normal mailing folds. It is in fine condition.
Unframed.
This item has been sold.
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