Dwight D. Eisenhower transitioned from a struggling boy working to help support his family to leading the Allied forces during World War II. The future president went from serving under the famous war general Douglas MacArthur to successfully landing in Normandy and leading his country to victory against the Germans. This dedicated man's triumph at Normandy is what really sets him apart from the others: the other generals, the other presidents, the other men. Eisenhower had been skilled in war affairs for most of his life, but D-Day was not just another battle; it was a crusade to win a war. There was research, planning, and of course hope. Eisenhower gave that hope to his troops and America. Normandy made Eisenhower a hero. Dwight Eisenhower was born into the pacifistic home of a religious family, unknowing he would become one of the greatest Supreme Commanders in American history; thus having to abandon his peaceful roots. Eisenhower or “Ike” was said to be a busy kid always learning new skills; from cooking to shooting guns. He was born into poverty but his family made sure he never let their social status define him or his family. Although his family was pacifistic Ike inherited his father’s temper and it flared up in his young age. His mother, Ida, attempted to control this anger that would lash out. He was very fond of his mother and continued to be all the way to his involvement in World War II-“Throughout World War II, when the heavy responsibility of the Western Alliance rested on his shoulders, Eisenhower thought often and fondly of Ida, wishing that somehow he could see her and be calmed and reassured by her presence and her wisdom. “I think my mother is the finest person I’ve ever known.” He wrote in a note to himself in March 1942.”1 Ike’s mother not only wanted a strong religious background for her children but for them to be well educated. Ike attended school but would find himself involved in fights with many children there. As he grew up he became fascinated with history and reading and was regarded in high school (by a classmate) as “”our best historian”, and predicated that while his brother Edgar would become a three-term president of the United States, Dwight would become a “professor of history at Yale””2. Eisenhower was also dabbled in the areas of athletics, the outdoors, and militarism; all great hobbies for a future soldier and leader. Originally, Eisenhower was going to go to college but due to financial circumstances he had to find another form of higher education. Going against everything he was brought up not be: a fighter, a soldier, etc., he ended up in the United States Military Academy. Here is where Ike began to realize his country was truly worth fighting for and he wanted to be part of that more than ever. With little social life and a vast knowledge of ancient war practices Eisenhower worked on military tactics while also pursuing football. He was not the smartest or most athletic but he eventually graduated 61st in academics and 125th in demerits out of 164 students, this was one year before World War I.3 Due to his nonchalant performance as a cadet he was not highly regarded in the military world yet. Ike did become a second lieutenant, however it would be a while before some real work come up for him, and he was stuck in what seemed like a military limbo. Ike ended up back in his home state of Texas in San Antonio, Texas to be exact.4 He stayed here carrying out the mundanity of the lieutenant life while living in the shadow of another well-known military man-General S. Patton. A little off course from the military; it was during this time he was married to Mamie in 1916. Back in the military Eisenhower had proven himself and was chosen to help form the Fifty-Seventh of newly recruited and trained men, this was a big deal for someone who had been in the military for less than 2 years. He took those men and turned into a highly trained regime, which was also very equipped for fighting. Just in case teaching infantry tactics wasn’t enough stress on the lieutenant, Eisenhower’s son, Doud was born without his presence. In the 1920s Eisenhower would be working under the command of the revered General Patton, his now longtime friend. Through General Patton he would go on to meet general Fox Conner, who became a very influential figure in his military life. General Conner even went and took Eisenhower to Panama with him to fight with him and his men. Eisenhower and Conner were so congenial that they would take trips together, take rides together, and have deeper discussions about war and life. Conner’s wife even stated that Conner had more influence than anyone in young Eisenhower’s life.5 After Conner’s influence the 1930s arrived and Eisenhower became as assistant to another prominent war figure-General Douglas MacArthur. However, with a depression underway there was less money in USA’s army budget and