US Pres. Dwight David Eisenhower

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

October 14, 1890

Dwight David Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969), the 34th president of the United States was born on October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas, USA. 

Nicknamed Ike, Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe and a five-star General of the Army. He planned and supervised the military campaigns of World War II: Operation Torch in the North Africa campaign in 1942–1943 and the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944. 

In 1932, Eisenhower was the chief military aide to General Douglas MacArthur, the Army Chief of Staff. He accompanied MacArthur to the Philippines in 1935, and served as assistant military adviser to the Philippine government in developing the Philippine Army. 

He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1936. A year later, he learned to fly, and made a solo flight over the Philippines in 1937. 

Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon on recommendations by Gen. MacArthur, offered him a post as the chief of police of Quezon City but Eisenhower declined the offer.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made him Supreme Allied Commander in Europe in December 1943. A month later, he resumed as Commanding General of the European Theater of Operations (ETOUSA) and the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), serving in a dual role until May 1945. 

After Germany's unconditional surrender, Eisenhower was appointed military governor of the American-occupied zone of Germany. He returned to Washington in November 1945 and replaced Gen. George C. Marshall Jr. as Chief of Staff of the Army. 

Eisenhower ran for the presidency in 1952 and was elected as President of the United States. He again won a second term in the 1956 elections. 

President Dwight D. Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969 in Washington, D.C. He was married to Maria Geneva "Mamie" Doud Eisenhower. 

President Manuel L. Quezon issued General Order No. 10 on December 12, 1939 awarding Lt. Col. Dwight Eisenhower with the Distinguished Service Star of the Philippines. 

During his State Visit to the Philippines, President Carlos P. Garcia conferred the Order of Sikatuna, rank of Rajah to President Dwight Eisenhower on June 16, 1960 and the Philippine Legion of Honor, Chief Commander award on April 9, 1961.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org