John Eisenhower
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| John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower | |
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| In office 1969 – 1971 |
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| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Ridgway B. Knight |
| Succeeded by | Robert Strausz-Hupe |
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| Born | August 3, 1922 Denver, Colorado |
| Political party | None/Independent |
| Spouse | Barbara Jean Thompson (1947–1986; divorced) Joanne Thompson (1988–present) |
| Children | 4 (all by Barbara Thompson) |
| Profession | Diplomat, Brigadier General, Author |
| John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower | |
|---|---|
| August 3, 1922 | |
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| Place of birth | Denver, Colorado |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | U.S. Army Reserve |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Other work | Army General Staff U.S. Ambassador to Belgium author |
John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower (born August 3, 1922 in Denver, Colorado) is a retired U.S. military officer and the author of several books of military history. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium from 1969–1971.
Eisenhower was born to future U.S. President and World War II-era general Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie. The younger Eisenhower, like his father, attended the United States Military Academy, graduating on June 6, 1944, the very day of the epic Normandy landings his father was commanding.
John Eisenhower served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War, later attaining the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserve. A decorated soldier, Eisenhower found his World War II military career thwarted by fears for his safety and concern from the top brass that his death or capture would be a distraction to his father, the Supreme Allied Commander.
During his father's presidency, he served as Assistant Staff Secretary in the White House, on the Army's General Staff, and in the White House as assistant to Gen. Andrew Goodpaster. In the administration of President Richard Nixon, who had been his father's Vice President, he served as U.S. Ambassador to Belgium. In 1972, President Nixon appointed Eisenhower Chairman of the Interagency Classification Review Committee.
Eisenhower's greatest achievements have come as a military historian. Several of his books have proven popular with readers and reviewers alike. His best-known history, The Bitter Woods, is perhaps the definitive study of the Battle of the Bulge. So Far from God is a highly regarded history of the U.S.-Mexican War.
Eisenhower lives in Trappe, Maryland, after moving there from Kimberton, Pennsylvania. He married Barbara Jean Thompson on June 10, 1947. They divorced in 1986. The Eisenhowers had four children including 3 daughters and a son, Dwight David, who married Julie Nixon, herself a presidential daughter. In 1988, Eisenhower married Joanne Thompson.
A life-long Republican, Eisenhower became independent and voted for Democrat John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential election, citing Republican incumbent George W. Bush's mismanagement of U.S. foreign policy.[1]
As of 2008, the 85-year-old Eisenhower is the oldest living and earliest surviving Presidential child.
The city of Marshfield, Missouri chose him as a 2008 honoree of the Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative. His grandson, Merrill Eisenhower Atwater spoke of his behalf.
John Eisenhower wrote the forward to "Borrowed Soldiers" written by Mitchell Yockelson of the National Archives.
In 2008 his daughter Susan Eisenhower endorsed Barack Obama for President.[2]
[edit] Books
- The Bitter Woods (1969)
- Strictly Personal (1974)
- Allies, Pearl Harbor to D-Day (1982)
- So Far from God: The U.S. War with Mexico, 1846-1848 (1989)
- Intervention! : The United States Involvement in the Mexican Revolution, 1913-1917 (1993)
- Agent of Destiny : The Life and Times of General Winfield Scott (1997)
- Yanks : The Epic Story of the American Army in World War I (2001)
- General Ike : A Personal Reminiscence (2003)
[edit] References
- ^ Eisenhower, John (2004-09-28). Why I Will Vote for John Kerry for President. truthout (editorial reprinted from The Manchester Union Leader). Retrieved on 2007-05-19.
- ^ Eisenhower, Susan. "Why I'm Backing Obama", The Washington Post, 2008-02-02. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
