Dwight D. Eisenhower

When World War II began, few people outside the army had ever heard of a 50-year-old career officer named Dwight D. Eisenhower.  But soon everyone knew “Ike,” who became one of the greatest generals of the century and much-loved two-term President.

Born in Texas, Eisenhower graduated from West Point in 1915.  He was a starting halfback on the West Point football team until he hurt his knee.

He rose rapidly through the ranks, and in 1942 was put in command of U.S. troops in Europe.  Then he directed the successful Allied invasions of North Africa and Italy.   And in 1944, he planned the largest invasion in history.

On June 6, more than 150,000 Allied troops under his command landed on the beaches of Normandy, France.  Eisenhower’s ability to win the cooperation of soldiers of many nationalities was a key factor in the Allied victory over Germany.

World War II made Eisenhower a national hero.   Although he resisted invitations to become a political leader at first, he finally agreed to run for President.  “I like Ike,” campaign buttons said.   The nation agreed, electing him in 1952 and again in 1956.  

As President, he helped bring an end to the Korean War, and he took a strong position against Communism….although some people criticized him for remaining aloof from controversial issues. 

Eisenhower’s down-to-earth manner and kindness won him the nation’s affection.

Pearl Harbor!

On a peaceful Sunday morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and plunged an unsuspecting America into World War II. Today, thousands of tourists each year visit the U.S.S. Arizona National Memorial on the island of Oahu to pay tribute to the 2,403 Americans who died in the attack, 1,777 of them aboard the battleship U.S.S. Arizona.


The Japanese attacked Peal Harbor because it was the major base of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Bombers and torpedo planes flying form Japanese aircraft carriers struck at “Battleship Row,” where seven American battleships were anchored. All seven were sunk or damaged. One bomb struck the Arizona’s forward magazine, where ammunition were stored, and set off an enormous explosion that broke the battleship in two and sent her to the bottom of the harbor.


The white bridgelike structure of the National Memorial marks the spot where the Arizona went down. Below, the sunken battleship can be seen through the clear waters of the harbor. This memorial is a somber reminder of the day in 1941 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt called “a date which will live in infamy.”


Of the seven battleships crippled in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, five were repaired. Only the Arizona and the Oklahoma could not be salvaged.


Follow this link to learn more about that fateful day.

Admiral Hyman Rickover

On January 17, 1955, Admiral Hyman Rickover saw one of his life’s dreams become reality. On that memorable winter day, the U.S.S. Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine set out from Groton, Connecticut. It was the first ship of any kind to be powered by nuclear energy, and Rickover was responsible for this technological milestone.


Born in Russia, Rickover moved to Illinois with his family when he was a child. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, he earned an advanced degree in engineering at Columbia University. Rickover served on submarines in the 1930’s and steadily advanced through the navy ranks. When nuclear energy was harnessed during World War II, he was sure that it could be used to power submarines, and he persuaded the navy to put him in charge of building such a ship. The Nautilus was the successful result of his efforts.


Later, Rickover led the development of other nuclear-powered naval ships, including aircraft carriers. He also was instrumental in the building of the first large nuclear-power plant in the U.S. Some naval personnel disliked his abrupt manner and disdain for red tape. But all agreed that his drive, energy, and vision had served the navy---and the country---well.


Rickover served a record 63 years as a U.S. Navy officer before retiring in 1982.