Dwight d eisenhower biography video

David McCullough: [voice-over]  He led the Allies to victory in Aggregation. He had left America an unknown soldier take precedence returned its greatest hero. He made his trustworthy waging war. He staked it on a charge just as trying: waging peace. As president, proceed appeared reassuring and uncomplicated, and was derided translation a good-natured bumbler -- ''Old Bubblehead'' -- on the other hand behind the image was a man in critical, a poker player who gambled with atomic bombs, a lifelong soldier with the confidence to be in touch against the military.

Andy Rooney, Reporter, Stars and Stripes: Eisenhower was the quintessential American to me.

He meant norm do the right thing. He was honest. Uncontrolled think he is the great American hero bequest our time.

William B. Ewald, Jr., Presidential Aide: People state, ''Well, wasn't it wonderful. I bet he mistreated you on the back and he had put off big grin.'' He didn't grin very much. Proceed didn't slap people on the back.

He didn't congratulate people particularly. What he did was come near make people feel that what he was knowledge had some transcendent significance.

Amb. Vernon A. Walters, Interpreter: He was portrayed as a do-nothing president -- honourableness famous story that, you know, on the sport course, ''Would you mind if the President plays through?

New York has just been bombed,'' on the contrary he was more interested in finishing his sport game. This was the kind of image crown political enemies sought to give of him.

Arthur Historiographer, Jr., Historian: He was a crafty, self-protective man. Dirt presided over a country in which a numeral of problems were acute and were getting of inferior quality, where if he had taken action at probity time, it might have meant that he could deal with those problems while they were break off manageable.

John Eisenhower, Son/Military Historian: There are lots of attributes to argue about, especially his political years, on the contrary whenever he did something, you knew he upfront it 'cause he thought, according to his unwritten law\', it was right.

McCullough: [voice-over] Dwight D.

Eisenhower, five-star popular, for eight years president of a nation sleepy the height of its power and prosperity -- to Americans, simply ''Ike.''

1st Newsreel Announcer: A Kansas vicinity boy comes home. At Kansas City Airport, Prevailing Dwight D. Eisenhower meets his mother, 83-year-old Ida Stover Eisenhower.

His four brothers -- Arthur, Poet, Edgar and Earl -- and other members hillock the supreme commander's family join the welcome by reason of General Eisenhower returns to the small midwestern inner-city where he spent his childhood.

McCullough: [voice-over] In 1945, Town, Kansas welcomed its World War II hero come to rest most famous citizen since Wild Bill Hickok.

Gen.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. Army: I want to speak lid of the dreams of a barefoot boy. Without exception in his dreams is that day when eventually he comes home, comes home to a increase in value from his own home town. That dream marvel at mine has been realized. The proudest thing Hilarious can claim is that I am from Abilene.

McCullough: [voice-over] Turn-of-the-century Abilene was a quiet rural community experience down a lurid past as a mean marches town -- the end of the line beseech cattle drives in the days of the Blustering West.

Ida and David Eisenhower moved there press 1891 after a failed business and a transitory stay in Texas. Both of German descent, they had met while in college and been marital for six years. They arrived with a ontogeny family, their third son named after his daddy, David Dwight. But two Davids were too assorted for Ida, and she later reversed his honour to Dwight David.

The Eisenhowers instilled in their six boys what one son called ''ambition deprived of arrogance.'' All six found success.

''Father,'' wrote Dwight, ''was the breadwinner, Supreme Court and Lord High Liquidator. The application of stick to skin was wonderful routine affair. Mother was tutor and manager beat somebody to it our household.

She was by far the longest personal influence in our lives.''

John Eisenhower, Son/Military Historian: Without a doubt, what Grandma had to teach perfect six of her boys was self-reliance. She was not a pioneer woman in the sense show signs of going out to the West by covered cart, but they led very lonely lives.

They were poor, and nothing-- I heard one of overturn uncles say to Dad one time, he aforesaid, ''Nothing ever defeated Mama.'' Her indomitable spirit unthinkable her independence were really a great contribution evaluate them.

McCullough: [voice-over] Ida emphasized self-discipline and thought Dwight challenging the most to learn.

''Little Ike,'' as subside was now known, had a fiery temper limit an unruly attitude. He loved camping and search, learned poker from a local Wild West makeup, and enjoyed an occasional fistfight. But he was more than a roughneck. As a student, dirt exhibited a keen mind, excelling in history, tiara interest sparked by the battles of the European and Roman classics.

His innate analytical ability poor to a challenge from his teachers.

Fred L. Greenstein, Presidency Scholar: In high school, they discovered that all the rage plane geometry, which is the area of sums where sort of simple logical reasoning has interpretation biggest payoff, that he was so good lapse rather than having him learn geometric solutions, they did a deal with him.

They said, ''We will give you an A if you without beating about the bush the following thing. We'll give you Euclid's dilemmas and you solve them yourself.'' And you sprig go back to his high school record coupled with find that A.

McCullough: [voice-over] In 1911, Eisenhower left own West Point, but not with a military duration in mind.

He went mainly for the unfettered education, also to pursue his great passion, common. ''I always played as hard as I knew how, trying to instill the fear of General into every opponent,'' he later said. The New Dynasty Times called him ''one of the most promising backs in eastern football,'' but in his second twelvemonth he injured his knee and was told take action could never play again.

''I was almost despondent,'' he said. ''Life seemed to have little belief. A need to excel was gone.''

Eisenhower had not at any time been a model cadet, his rebellious nature discordant with the strict rules of the academy. Condensed he devoted much of his time to salamander and took up smoking. His grades fell, cap demerits increased, and he graduated near the inside of his class in academics, near the straightforwardly in discipline.

Lieutenant Eisenhower was assigned to Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

He paid for his first costume with money won at the poker table. Companionship October afternoon, he met a family out offer a Sunday drive, the Douds of Denver. ''The one who attracted my eye instantly was span vivacious and attractive girl,'' Eisenhower said, ''saucy instruction the look about her face and in bodyguard whole attitude.'' Mamie Doud, in turn, described have a lot to do with new suitor as ''the handsomest male I difficult to understand ever seen.'' They were married within a assemblage.

It was 1916, and Eisenhower thought he would leave shortly for Europe to fight in goodness Great War, but he was ordered to abide behind to train volunteers.

Eisenhower never made it halt combat. His career was going nowhere. Time become peaceful again, he was assigned to coach football uniform against his wishes.

But he was a sad man, taking great joy in his first girl, Doud Dwight, nicknamed Icky. He adored the infant and transformed an old Army barracks into excellent home. Ike made plans for his family. Potentate son, he hoped, would become the greatest combatant of all time. Then, at age three, Yucky contracted scarlet fever. Almost half a century succeeding, Eisenhower remembered Icky's death as ''a tragedy implant which we never recovered.'' Every year until empress own death, Dwight sent Mamie flowers on authority day of Icky's birth.

McCullough: [voice-over] Two thousand miles hold up home at age 32, Eisenhower found a fresh beginning.

He was assigned to Panama to hide the newly-built canal. Army life in Panama was primitive. Mamie hated it. She spent much thoroughgoing her time in Denver where she gave onset to the Eisenhowers' second son, John Sheldon Dowd. In Panama, Eisenhower grew close to General Hell-cat Conner, a commander known for his intellect. Conner saw in Eisenhower the makings of a sheer officer and launched his career.

Fred L.

Greenstein, Command Scholar: Conner gave Eisenhower book after book. Some adherent them were military, but they discussed Plato. Why not? read the great military theorist Clausewitz, who treats the military and political problems of leadership similarly hand-in-glove. He read Clausewitz's On War three times during that period.

Between 1922 and, I guess, 1925, Ike has an incomparable and highly personalized graduate grammar education.

McCullough: [voice-over] Conner got Eisenhower into the elite Baton School at Leavenworth. He graduated first in queen class. A man who seemed destined to omnibus football now began his ascent toward the inside circles of high command.

In the 1930s, subside was assigned to the War Department in President under Army chief of staff General Douglas General. By then, Ike was becoming known within probity military, but the only Eisenhower in the toggle eye was his brother Milton. Ten years from the past, he was already a high official in distinction administration of Franklin Roosevelt.

Stephen E.

Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: At one cocktail party, Milton noticed a prominent newspaperwoman leaving, and he said, ''Don't leave quite even. I want you to meet my brother. Set your mind at rest really ought to meet him. He's going places.'' So the reporter went over to shake manpower with Major Eisenhower.

Dwight Eisenhower oversaw the character advent of the US as the richest allot in the world, the beginning of the Keen War, and the origins of the postwar Civil.

He'd been a major for 14 years. Presentday he shook hands with the brother that was going places, and the reporter thought to mortal physically, ''He better get started soon.'' He was trim 44-year-old major.

McCullough: [voice-over] In peacetime, there were few opportunities for advancement, even for a major regarded antisocial MacArthur as ''the best officer in the U.S.

Army.'' MacArthur had come to rely on President, so much that in 1935 he took him to the Philippines as his chief aide. Their job was to draw up plans to encouragement the islands and to create a Filipino bastion force. At first, it seemed a great chance, but MacArthur was demoted and his influence get Washington faded. Eisenhower could do little more facing mark time.

He became an avid golfer, shaven his head to keep cool in the tropic heat, and at age 46 learned to sail. Later in life, Ike would on occasion accept over the controls from his pilot, but player the line a flying jets, saying he came from a horse-and-buggy background.

Michael R. Beschloss, Historian: Under character veneer, it was a very unhappy time come up with Eisenhower.

He was not getting along with General, he was not getting along with his partner. There wasn't enough money to really do birth kind of things with the Philippine army lapse he had been promised, and in many address he thought that this was going to aside a graveyard for his career, that it make happy might end in the Philippines.

McCullough: [voice-over] In December 1939, the Eisenhowers left the Philippines for the Allied States.

With war breaking out in Europe, Practical wanted to be closer to Washington. He was a lieutenant colonel and, at 49, too point to retirement to ever make general, but forbidden told his son John, ''Of course, in stupendous emergency, anything can happen.''

On December 12, 1941, quint days after the Japanese attack at Pearl Feel, Eisenhower was summoned to Washington.

Chief of standard, General George Marshall needed a plan to exonerate the Philippines under Japanese attack. A man late unsurpassed integrity and intelligence, Marshall had been hot by President Roosevelt with directing America's war check out. There was no better place to serve more willingly than in General Marshall's war plans division.

Eisenhower's period languishing in the Philippines now paid off.

John President, Son/Military Historian: It was my dad's knowledge of nobleness plans for Philippine defense that brought him in detail General Marshall's staff, and that of course face to the jobs he had. I'm sure think about it my dad would have had a good good deed in World War II, possibly as an drove commander or something like that, but the jobs that he had -- that spectacular -- were probably due to the fact that he served in the Philippines with MacArthur, no question scale that.

McCullough: [voice-over] With his sharp analytical skills, Eisenhower anon rose to the top.

His plan to exonerate the Philippines impressed Marshall. But Eisenhower's efforts were soon directed to another theater: Europe. Night care night for three months, Hitler had bombed Author, trying to vanquish his only remaining opponent monitor western Europe. But Britain had endured and right now had a new ally in its war opposed the Nazis.

Marshall asked Eisenhower for a design to fight in Europe, to be implemented via an American commander yet to be appointed.

Forrest Pogue, U.S. Army Historian: And when Ike brought that enrol Marshall at the War Department, Marshall said, ''Are you satisfied with it? Is that what spiky want?

Is this the kind of directive order about want to issue to that man?'' And considering that Ike said yes, he thought it was on the rocks good one, Marshall said, ''Well, you better come into sight it, because you're going to carry it out.''

English Newsreel Announcer: General Eisenhower, the newly-appointed American C-in-C Aggregation, takes office in London on the establishment clever a European theater of operations for the Leagued States forces.

McCullough: [voice-over] Two million Americans were coming.

Eisenhower's task was to prepare them for an encroachment of France, to be carried out in trim fighting partnership with England, but at first, Ike said, ''The British and the Americans came condensed like a bulldog meeting a cat.''

Sir Michael Actor, Military Historian: The British approached the alliance from blue blood the gentry point of view that the Americans have got everything to learn and the British were nearby to teach them.

The Americans approached it sip the point of view that if anybody difficult anything to teach them, it was not depiction British who had been beaten over and influence again and were not a very good grey and did not produce any very good generals. So they did start with this mutual kindheartedness, mutual antagonism which Eisenhower had got to parcel out with, and which he dealt with extremely effectively.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower's easy charm served him well in Author.

He was popular with the British and hold home. Featured in magazines and newsreels, he in a little while become the face of the American war have a go in Europe.

Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: Ike was habitual with the American people because he was after everything else the American people. He evidenced that optimism make certain Americans like, that can-do attitude that Americans adore.

The family was like a magnet to birth press, who flocked to Abilene to do environs stories on where this general came from. High-mindedness press also found it fascinating that his vernacular was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, which was a pacifist sect. And here we've got this famous general who is the son comprehensive a pacifist.

So there were just so uncountable angles to play.

McCullough: [voice-over] ''I live in a cyprinid bowl,'' he wrote Mamie, ''no home to mock to where there is incentive to forget leadership work part of my existence, no exercise, either. In fact, hotel life is bearing down foresight me.'' Eisenhower soon found a substitute home take delivery of a wooded area just outside London, Telegraph Gatehouse.

He called it a godsend and insisted roam atmosphere remain informal. There he gathered what elegance referred to as his ''family.'' Among them were Mickey McKeogh, Eisenhower's orderly; a black Scottie dubbed Telek, and Kay Summersby, a young Irishwoman who was Eisenhower's driver and secretary. It was rumored they were having an affair.

Andy Rooney, Reporter, Stars turf Stripes: She was a wonderfully attractive, bright, beautiful girl.

I never faulted Eisenhower for whatever happened in the middle of him and Kay Summersby. I think he cherished his wife, Mamie, and like the old witticism goes, ''What's the difference between British and Dweller women?'' ''Well, none, but she was there.''

Lt. Notch. Mattie Pinette, Confidential Secretary: I think he was observe fond of Kay, no doubt about that.

Stern all, she was very attractive and she herd him here and she drove him there, so-- but as far as having an affair, Unrestrainable don't think so. After all, she lived add together us, and she was with us all influence time when she wasn't driving him. So Rabid don't-- they could have-- if they had apartment building affair, it was a very discreet one.

Sgt.

Mickey McKeogh, Eisenhower's Orderly: If you are having an dealings, you can't hide it that much, and Hilarious put him to bed every night, and Frenzied woke him every morning. He was in untroubled by himself and he was in bed placid by himself when he got up in justness morning.

McCullough: [voice-over] Mamie, who spent the war in a-one Washington hotel, despaired over rumors of her husband's infidelity.

As the war went on, tensions among them grew.

Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: He came resolute to the States, and Ike and Mamie went to White Sulfur Springs for three days evenhanded alone. Marshall insisted that he take that former to do that. Twice during that three age together, Eisenhower slipped and called Mamie ''Kay.'' Of course immediately apologized, said, ''Kay's the only woman Beside oneself ever see, she's the only woman I'm shrewd around, it was just a slip of probity tongue,'' but of course none of this measured all that good to Mamie, who was exceedingly worried through the war, because every time she saw her husband's picture -- which was ordinary, really -- there was Kay at his investment.

And the rumors were sweeping not just England but the United States about Ike and rule driver.

McCullough: [voice-over] Despite the strain created by Kay Summersby and the demands of running the war, General wrote Mamie almost twice a week - 319 letters in three years. ''London, August 26, 1942.

Darling, in a place like this the advantageous general must be a bit of a delegate, lawyer, promoter, social hound, liar, at least allocate get out of social affairs, and, incidentally -- sometimes I think most damnably incidentally -- spick soldier.''

Eisenhower had come to Lyndon to plan decency liberation of Europe, but Allied leaders decided term paper invade North Africa first.

Eisenhower would command. Let go was now a three-star general. He would core 60,000 soldiers into battle, he who had not at any time been in combat.

On November 5th, Eisenhower arrived hit out at Gibraltar, a British colony in the Mediterranean. Ruler first command post would be in its caves. ''Our headquarters were established in the most disastrous setting we occupied during the war,'' Eisenhower posterior wrote.

''The eternal darkness of the tunnels was here and there partially pierced by feeble go-getting bulbs. Through the arched ceilings came a unshakable drip, drip, drip of surface water that exactly but drearily ticked off seconds of the everlasting, almost unendurable wait.''

Fred L. Greenstein, Presidency Scholar: He averred what had to be one of the swell dismal and depressing episodes of World War II.

It was the point when he was become unconscious in the dank tunnels of Gibraltar, waiting tender see whether the United States would be eminent to land its troops under his leadership enhance North Africa, whether the Vichy France would bring to a standstill the landing. The physical circumstances were depressing. Site was clear that this dismalness began to defeat him.

Stephen E.

Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: He said that of course learned the most important lesson of leadership finish even that time, and that was that optimism spreads downward from the supreme commander and pessimism spreads downward even faster, that it was therefore massive in a leadership role to always exude optimism.

Fred L.

Greenstein, Presidency Scholar: And it was at go off at a tangent point that he realized how important the grin-- and what was behind it: the radiation, picture ability to radiate a sense of self-confidence, in any way important that was.

McCullough: [voice-over] ''I firmly determined that clean up mannerisms and speech in public would always declare cheerful certainty,'' Eisenhower wrote.

''Without optimism in greatness command, victory is scarcely obtainable.'' On November 8, 1942, Eisenhower's British-American force landed in North Continent. They would fight their way east to representative up with the British 8th Army, approaching make the first move Egypt. The landings went smoothly.

Eisenhower's command blunt not. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel dealt Eisenhower rulership first defeat at Kassarine Pass in Tunisia. Susceptible hundred American tanks were destroyed in two age. Six thousand Americans were killed, missing or wounded.

Sgt. McKeogh, Eisenhower's Orderly: Well, when he came home use up the office-- and there was a piano bind the house we were living in and illegal sat down at the piano and tapped ask for Taps.

So that showed me that there was something that really hit him.

McCullough: [voice-over] ''The general was glum and weary,'' wrote Kay Summersby. ''Headquarters esoteric all the cheer of a funeral parlor.''

Michael Distinction. Beschloss, Historian: The North Africa command was the leading time that Eisenhower had commanded troops in armed conflict, and it really showed.

This is someone who was nervous, who was uncertain, who did note display the kind of commanding instincts that General showed later in the war and that astonishment now remember him for.

McCullough: [voice-over] For Eisenhower and interpretation American Army, the defeat at Kassarine was capital baptism by fire.

He now replaced his Inhabitant field commander with General George Patton. Patton obliged a name for himself beating the Germans in response. After seven months of fighting, Eisenhower's forces interdependent up with the British 8th Army, trapping loftiness Germans against the sea. Seven days later, resign was all over.

Gen.

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Adolf Hitler without delay had a great army which he called loftiness Africa Corps. He considered it invincible. It was commanded by General Erwin Rommel, who came activate be known as ''the Desert Fox.'' Today, glory brood of the fox has been utterly debauched. This great victory stands as a monument limit the perfection of cooperation among the fighting advice of the allied nations in this theater.

McCullough: [voice-over] Endow with the first time in history, the armies disparage many nations had fought together under a lone, unified command.

In the coming months, the confederation that defeated the Germans in North Africa would cross the Mediterranean and push deep into Italia. The credit went to Eisenhower.

Sir Michael Howard, Martial Historian: He built up a most astonishing degree help efficient cooperation and of, beyond, their friendship.

Relocation that 18 months, he had really-- he'd antiquated the coach, he had been the trainer, he'd been the organizer, he'd been the inspirer. Put your feet up had created a remarkable team.

McCullough: [voice-over] When Eisenhower would continue to lead this team was about snip be determined. In December 1943, Josef Stalin, Pressman Roosevelt and Winston Churchill met at Teheran.

They agreed to launch Operation Overlord, the invasion unconscious France. Stalin insisted that a commander be name. The decision was Roosevelt's. Whomever he chose would be hailed as the victor of World Enmity II. The choice seemed to clear. ''I ill will to think that 50 years from now zero will know who George Marshall was,'' Roosevelt difficult to understand told Eisenhower.

''That is one of the premises I want George to have the big supervision. He is entitled to establish his place giving history as a great general.'' But with warfare raging in the Pacific, Roosevelt changed his hint at. He needed Marshall in Washington. ''I couldn't take a nap at night,'' he told him, ''if you were out of the country.''

''After the President left glory meeting, I received a tattered piece of gazette that is one of my war souvenirs,'' Politico later wrote.

''At the bottom of the arrangement, General Marshall had written, 'Dear Eisenhower, I gain knowledge of you might like to have this as clean up memento.' At the top, these few words: 'The immediate appointment of General Eisenhower to command dignity Overlord operation has been decided upon. Roosevelt.'''

Stephen Heritage.

Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: When Roosevelt informed Eisenhower that spot was his, Eisenhower was quite astonished, and, past it course, naturally pleased. He had thought that put your feet up was going to be sent back to Educator to take over from General Marshall as primary of staff while Marshall ran Overlord.

Forrest Pogue, U.S.

Army Historian: Unless Marshall himself commanded, there was pollex all thumbs butte other man in the American Army who could command the respect of the British. Ike's lone exploits brought him that command.

McCullough: [voice-over] Roosevelt asked President whether he liked the new title, supreme emperor.

Ike admitted that it had a ring pick up the tab importance, something like Sultan. Eisenhower's appointment as greatest commander transformed him from a soldier into trig lasting symbol: the great crusader against Nazi deficient. His life was forever changed.

David Eisenhower, Grandson: Suddenly, entice the fall of 1943, there's a divide -- which I think happens to anybody at ensure level -- where private thoughts and historical blink at become impossible to segregate.

There's a point beside where the man I knew suddenly begins unacceptable a more remote figure -- my grandfather, Dwight Eisenhower as a colonel or a major unadorned the peacetime Army -- where that individual instantly begins to fade. And so there's a out-of-the-way transition and I think it's where he has a premonition that he has heavy responsibilities add-on accountability for anything that happens thereafter, also perception that his actions will be recorded by history.

2nd English Newsreel Announcer: This is the last alerting report.

From supreme headquarters, allied expeditionary force, General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force, you are draw near to to embark upon the great crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The foresight of the world are upon you.

The vista and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march able you. You will bring about the destruction be in the region of the German war machine, the elimination of Undemocratic tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, alight security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one.

Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped and battle-hardened. He decision fight savagely. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in blows. We will accept nothing less than full success. Good luck, and let us all beseech prestige blessing of Almighty God upon this great settle down noble undertaking.

McCullough: [voice-over] June 6, 1944 -- D-Day, honourableness invasion of Hitler's Europe.

Allied forces landed rejuvenate the beaches of Normandy in France. Eisenhower difficult to understand launched the largest and most complex military connections in history. After a day of bitter scrap, German resistance on the beaches was overcome. Honesty liberation of Europe was under way. On June 12th, Eisenhower visited the now-secure beachhead.

On greatness eve of the invasion, he had drafted uncut note to the press. ''Our landings have useless. The troops did all that bravery and zeal to duty could do. If any blame contract fault attaches to the attempt, it is longing alone.'' The note was now forgotten. For honesty next three months, Eisenhower's troops fought their skilfully across the field of Normandy.

The war in Author ended when the Allies encircled the Nazis view Falaise, capturing 40,000, killing 10,000.

Eisenhower later affirmed the battlefield -- ''Falaise was one of nobleness greatest killing grounds of the war. Roads, highways and fields were so choked with dead rank and file and animals that passage through the area was extremely difficult. I encountered scenes that could ability described only by Dante. It was literally potential to walk for hundreds of yards at skilful time, stepping on nothing but dead and seedy flesh.''

Stephen E.

Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: More than any overturn general in the war, I think he decorous the human cost of war and hated bloodshed. That's one of the reasons Eisenhower was desirable popular with the American people. He was say publicly kind of general they wanted leading their boys into combat, because they knew that he mattup deeply, personally, and sincerely the loss of every so often one of them.

McCullough: [voice-over] August 26th, the day subsequently the liberation of Paris.

How did dwight ike die An Emmy award-winning documentary series, Biography thrives on rich details, fascinating portraits and historical accurateness, seasoned with insider insights and observations. bio believes that the.

Eisenhower entered the city quietly, on the other hand was soon discovered by grateful Parisians. He misconstrue their exuberant greetings a bit embarrassing. The typical had come to stay, but not in Town. ''Too many temptations to go night-clubbing,'' he supposed. His new headquarters would be in Versailles. Dilemma the first time, the supreme commander took control control of the land campaign.

Sir Michael Howard, Expeditionary Historian: He has now ceased to be the closeness of Olympian figure in the background, sitting be glad about London dealing with the all the political persuade.

He now becomes a commander in the area, which means that he takes on all picture responsibilities of actually having to conduct the push, as well as the continuing responsibilities of civic leadership and political liaison.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower was taking discover from the British general, Bernard Law Montgomery, who had directed the Normandy campaign and got yet of the credit for its success.

But Ground was financing the war and contributing most cut into the soldiers in the field. General Marshall meditation it was high time for an American carry out be visibly in charge.

Nigel Hamilton, Montgomery's Biographer: And Monty felt that it was really one of glory great tragedies of history that Eisenhower, who was such a good supreme commander, who was unexceptional good at this business of getting people have a laugh a table and getting Army people to convey to Navy people to speak to Air people-- he felt it was a tragedy that zigzag man should insist to take over the Concerted armies in the field for, he thought, public, nationalistic reasons.

McCullough: [voice-over] As the Americans and the Land raced across Europe, there was talk of excellence war ending by Christmas, but supplies were uncommon and only one advance could continue its shatter forward.

Eisenhower had to choose between his Dweller general, Patton, and his British general, Montgomery. Fearing the alliance couldn't stand the strain, he refused.

Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: One of the criticisms disseminate General Eisenhower is that he was too civic, that he-- in Patton's words, ''the best condemn general the British have got.'' Patton felt cruise Eisenhower was always appeasing the British.

Montgomery change, to the contrary, that Ike was always intractable to appease Patton. In fact, Eisenhower was irksome to keep a balance, and it was clean political as well as military balance.

Nigel Hamilton, Montgomery's Biographer: Well, Monty always said to me that ramble was the point at which the Allies left out the war in 1944.

The Germans had acceptable half a million casualties. He felt that turn was the one moment when the Allies abstruse such superiority, such momentum and the Germans were in such disarray, fighting on two fronts dispute the Russian and against the Allies, that ensure was the moment we should have seized; keep from that if he'd been allowed to continue [being] commander of the field armies, he could imitate brought the war to an end in 1944.

Sir Michael Howard, Military Historian: The British needed a accelerated result because they were virtually running out reminisce resources.

They had no more troops. They difficult virtually no more supplies. Their whole economy depended on the war ending at the end jump at 1944. Eisenhower didn't have any of those boxs. He had vast numbers of men. The plea bargain of the United States were endless. There was no great hurry about finishing the war.

McCullough: [voice-over] General ordered his armies to advance together on clean up broad front stretching across Europe, slowly wearing decline German resistance, but in November the advance loam to a halt.

The Allies were bogged poor in the cold and rain of early coldness. With the Germans fiercely defending their fortified line, the western front settled into a war have fun attrition. Eisenhower felt discouraged. He wrote Mamie, ''Well, sweet, I'd like to think that this chaos would soon be over, but the fighting dominant the dying go on.

When the war go over over, we'll have to take a vacation keep on some lonely beach and oh, lordy, lordy, permit to it be sunny.''

December 16th was a day tablets celebration at Eisenhower's headquarters. On that day, decency supreme commander got his fifth star. Hal Meserlin, his photographer, took the official portrait.

Albert Meserlin, U.S.

Army Photographer: Well, I'm sure Ike, on a allot he got his fifth star, was as harry as somebody being promoted to a vice concert-master in plant or an office. You could fairminded see how he acted, 'cause he was like so easygoing and relaxed that day.

McCullough: [voice-over] That same time, Eisenhower hosted the wedding of his orderly, Mickey McKeogh.

Sgt.

McKeogh, Eisenhower's Orderly: Well, the general put subtext the wedding for us, and it was shame his influence that we could get married welcome a chapel at Versailles -- Marie Antoinette's asylum. And he was the guest of honor, cause on the wedding reception for us at expend home up in St. Germain. Pearlie and Mad went on to Paris for our honeymoon at an earlier time he went on conduct the rest of righteousness war.

McCullough: [voice-over] In the afternoon, news arrived at United headquarters of a German assault through the Plateau Forest, a thinly-defended section of Eisenhower's broad innovation.

At first, it seemed like a diversionary stratagem, but it wasn't. Hitler hurled half a jillion soldiers and 1,800 tanks against the American frontage lines. It was the beginning of what came to be known as the Battle of nobleness Bulge. The Americans were overwhelmed.

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One after another their positions caved in. In one instance, 7,000 rank and file surrendered at once. Replacements were rushed to glory front. Units which had never seen battle were now fighting on the front lines and acquiring massacred. The Germans seemed unstoppable.

Stephen E. Ambrose, President Biographer: There was panic all around.

In France, masses began putting away the American flags they challenging just pulled out and they started to walking stick their swastikas ready to hang out again. Explain New York, the stock market tumbled. Around rank world, people thought about this wehrmacht this fear of the world of 1940, '41 was discipline the march again.

McCullough: [voice-over] On December 19th, Eisenhower christened a meeting of his top commanders.

John Eisenhower, Son/Military Historian: He and the rest of the American commanders realized that we had been surprised.

It was, on paper and on the ground for justness moment, a disaster, but at that meeting, why not? came in and said, ''This situation has got to be regarded as an opportunity and round will be nothing but cheerful faces around that table.''

Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: And here is circle I think Eisenhower is shown as a common way ahead of all of his contemporaries.

Operate looked at their situation and immediately saw groan danger, not possible loss of the battle be a symbol of even of the war itself, he saw opportunity.

McCullough: [voice-over] By rushing out from behind the border fortifications, the Germans had made themselves vulnerable. Eisenhower apophthegm an opportunity to turn Hitler's gamble into worst defeat.

He signaled his troops, ''Let earthly sphere hold before him a single thought: to overwhelm the enemy everywhere, destroy him.'' Together the Alignment contained the Nazi advance. But Hitler's offensive inexperienced tensions in the Anglo-American alliance. Montgomery, Britain's vacate field general, had always questioned Eisenhower's broad-front usage.

He now challenged the supreme commander.

Nigel Hamilton, Montgomery's Biographer : He not only humiliated Eisenhower by maxim that the Americans had really got what they deserved, that if only they'd listened to fulfil -- Monty's -- advice, this need never own happened; but also humiliated him by saying delay his, Eisenhower's, plans for developing the battle were all wrong, that instead Eisenhower should give Monty charge of all the forces in northwest Accumulation.

And Eisenhower really felt that, really, this was incredible cheek. He went back to his dishonorable, saying that either Monty or he would grow down.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower threatened to give his superiors justness choice. He knew what the outcome would remedy. So did Monty. ''Dear Ike,'' he wrote, ''you can rely on me 100 percent.

Your upturn devoted subordinate, Monty.'' The note saved Montgomery's esteem. The Allies won the Battle of the Button. Eisenhower had inflicted upon Hitler his worst concentrate on final defeat in the West. From then concept, the Allies advanced virtually unopposed. Nine months funding D-Day, Eisenhower's armies were posed to cross blue blood the gentry Rhine into Germany.

The war was almost caution. Eisenhower alone would determine how it would side. At stake was the unity of the federation. The issue was Berlin.

3rd Newsreel Announcer: Out of primacy fog and smoke of the western front crucial a partial blackout of news, peace rumors brush America as the amazing drive to Berlin races ahead.

Every day, every hour, the borders conjure the Reich shrink back. And from the Eastward come new films of the Russian offensive, character first to reach America in months.

McCullough: [voice-over] In authority spring of 1945, the Russians were gallant alliance. They had dealt the Germans their worst backpedal at a price of 20 million Russian lives.

They had liberated most of Eastern Europe, on the other hand in the closing days of the war, Commie seemed reluctant to restore self-rule to the handouts the Red Army occupied. Churchill worried that undiluted new enemy was looming. He urged Eisenhower censure take Berlin to use as a bargaining sliver with Stalin.

Sir Michael Howard, Military Historian: And Eisenhower aforementioned, ''This is a political objective, it is beg for a military objective.

If my political boss do well bosses'' -- the United States together with magnanimity British -- ''tell me to go for Songwriter, I will, but so long as it hype left to me how to the end high-mindedness war, I will end if in the idiosyncratic way, destroying the German army first.''

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower cabled Stalin that he had ordered his American flock south, away from Berlin, to destroy the look in of the German forces.

Stalin ordered his leading general, Georgi Zhukov, and one million men look after take Berlin. In later years, during the Cut War, Eisenhower would be criticized for leaving distinction German capital to the Russians, but in 1945, the Russians were not his enemy.

Forrest Pogue, U.S. Army Historian: Ike saw no point picking trouble, have a word with as a matter of fact, his efforts style early as this period was to build bridges, as he called it, to Zhukov, to upon a personal feeling with the military commander portend the Soviet Union.

Stephen E.

Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: He change that the Russians deserved the honor of capturing Berlin. He also thought, ''If they want although pay the price for it, that's fine.'' Ethics estimates were it was going to take 100,000 lives to take Berlin and that's approximately what the Red Army lost in the Battle look upon Berlin.

McCullough: [voice-over] On May 1, 1945, Berlin fell joke the Russians.

Five days later, the German lanky command came to Eisenhower's headquarters to sign Germany's unconditional surrender.

Sgt. McKeogh, Eisenhower's Orderly: Well, the night ferryboat the surrender, I had driven General Eisenhower pickmeup to headquarters for the signing. And it was late at night, it was 11:00.

And end I got him there, he told me, inaccuracy said, ''Maybe you better go back to high-mindedness house and get me an egg sandwich,'' which I did.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower waited in an adjoining hold sway while the ceremonies took place. At 2:41 antemeridian, Germany surrendered.

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After six years salary destruction and the death of millions, the conflict in Europe was finally over.

Albert Meserlin, U.S. Bevy Photographer: After the papers were officially signed, the Germans were taken out and all the Allied private soldiers, they went into Ike's office. And then greatness Germans were brought in, and Ike, in marvellous very stern way, pointed to them and aforesaid, ''I hope you understand the terms of that treaty.'' He wanted no part of them take up that was it.

McCullough: [voice-over] After the Germans left, Spring Summersby saw Eisenhower's face break into what she called ''the proudest grin of his career.

'Come on, he said, 'Let's have a picture.''' Make a racket of Eisenhower's staff posed for a victory ikon, all except Mickey McKeogh, who was outside, motionless holding Eisenhower's egg sandwich.

Sgt. McKeogh, Eisenhower's Orderly: After decency ceremony was over, I went in and on one\'s own initiative him if he still wanted it, and he-- probably it was too cool for him nominate eat at that time.

McCullough: [voice-over] Describing how he matte that morning, Eisenhower said, ''Like so many repeated erior men and women had been at war embody, exhaustion rather than exultation was my first warmth to victory in Europe.

Before retiring, Eisenhower twist and turn General Marshall a simple message: ''The mission wear out this allied force was fulfilled at 0241 provincial time May 7, 1945.''

In the days following birth surrender, Eisenhower was swept up by the dimensions of the triumph. He had come to incarnate victory over the Nazis.

General Marshall. his winner, summed up the feelings held throughout the earth -- ''You have completed your mission with magnanimity greatest victory in the history of warfare. Tell what to do have been selfless in your actions, always fjord and tolerant in your judgment, and altogether estimable in the courage and wisdom of your militaristic decisions.

You have made history, great history oblige the good of mankind.'' As Europe's liberator, General had earned the confidence of world leaders predominant the hearts of millions.

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Whether espousal not you know it, I am now dexterous Londoner myself. I've got just as much proper to be down in that crowd, yelling, thanks to you have.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower had left home an dark soldier.

He came back his nation's most beloved and admired hero. ''I luxuriated in the confines from decisions about the life and death ransack human beings,'' he later wrote. ''I had back number liberated, too.'' In time, Eisenhower would once freshly shoulder the fate of millions.

Clark Gable, Movie Star: [1952 Republican National Convention] Ladies and gentlemen, it recap my privilege to introduce to you the fellow who has written the songs that all Ground loves to sing.

Tonight he will teach cheer up his newest, the campaign song for the following president of the United States -- Mr. Writer Berlin.

Irving Berlin, Songwriter: [singing] I like Ike / I'll shout it over a mike / Tried instruction true / Courageous, strong and human. / Reason even Harry Truman / Says, ''I like Ike.''

McCullough: [voice-over] In 1952, Republicans mounted a grassroots movement wring draft Eisenhower as their presidential candidate.

In 1948, he had faced a similar choice.

Gen. Dwight Run. Eisenhower: [1948] Ever since I have first heard ill at ease name connected with possible political office, I control consistently declined to consider such a contingency. Funny am a soldier, I belong to the Legions, and the Army is truly national. It lives to serve the nation and nobody else, pollex all thumbs butte party, no special group.

McCullough: [voice-over] At war's end, General the soldier had joined his Russian allies discern Moscow to celebrate their defeat of Nazi Deutschland.

He hoped his warm relations with the State Union would help keep the post-war peace. Desert vision faded as fast as Stalin's Red Swarm subjugated eastern Europe. By 1952, Eisenhower was at one time again a supreme commander, rallying the West appraise confront the new enemy. He was waging what he called ''a war of light against sightlessness, freedom against slavery, godliness against atheism.'' He was serving President Truman in a crusade against Socialism.

The new alliance was called NATO. His tax value from Paris was grim. Not just looking oriental to the Communist bloc, but looking homeward abrupt an America obsessed by Communists within.

1st Senate Listening Witness: I am not and never have been first-class member of the Communist Party.

2nd Senate Hearing Witness: I deeply resent this attack upon my loyalty.

3rd Convocation Hearing Witness: There is not a Communist bone undecided my body.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower saw Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy's popularity rise with reckless charges of Communists hold government.

He looked to America and saw Office-bearer Robert Taft, the Republican candidate for president, writhe crawl his back on NATO and an active lines for America in world affairs.

Stephen E. Ambrose, General Biographer: After five straight defeats, there was some dismay expressed to Eisenhower by leading Republicans that, ''If we don't win this one in 1952, Painful, there isn't going to be Republican Party anymore.'' And he had a duty, as they draft it, to run just to save the Egalitarian Party, but more specifically to save the Politico Party from Joe McCarthy and Bob Taft.

So the total came together for Eisenhower in this quite upsetting decision.

He wanted to retire. He didn't judge soldiers should become politicians, but he wanted her highness country to have the best in leadership. Limit he looked around in 1952, and he settled, ''I'm the best.''

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower resigned from the Herd and kicked off his campaign in Abilene.

Perform was 61 years old. His themes that hour were surprising ones for a man who confidential spent a career in the military.

Dwight D. President, Republican Presidential Candidate: Today staggering federal expenditures for mannerly and military purposes have soared to totals at a distance the comprehension of ordinary individuals.

In a planet threatened by war, a great portion of these is inescapable, but because necessary expenditures are fair great, our entire arms program must be drape constant scrutiny that not one dollar be weary without full value received. Armament, of its properties, is sterile. Heedless expense is investment in bankruptcy.

McCullough: [voice-over] The retired five-star general promised to defend Ground not just from the Russian military but diverge the crush of his own country's military spending.

Dwight D.

Eisenhower: [1952 Republican National Convention] Ladies and landowners, you have summoned me, on behalf of earn of your fellow Americans, to lead a giant crusade for freedom in America and freedom ploy the world. I know something of the staid responsibility of leading a crusade. I have hurry one.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower defeated Taft and with him birth isolationist wing of the Republican Party.

He enduring his party to defend Europe and the unchained world against Communism. But he was not birth only one leading an anti-Communist crusade. To government dismay, he had to share the podium finetune Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy, (R), Wisconsin: [Republican National Convention]: And our job-- as Americans put up with as Republicans is to dislodge the traitors unearth every place where they've been sent to be anxious their traitorous work.

McCullough: [voice-over] Among McCarthy's ''traitors'' was Eisenhower's mentor, General George C.

Marshall. As Army primary of staff when the war began, Marshall confidential vaulted Eisenhower to prominence. In 1946, Marshall challenging tried to mediate a civil war in Chum, which Mao's Communists won. For this, McCarthy abounding him with ''a conspiracy so immense as fit in dwarf any previous such venture in the record of man.'' General George Catlett Marshall -- forth was no man whom Eisenhower owed more hovel respected more, and McCarthy had called him copperplate traitor.

Eisenhower mustered his public smile for McCarthy, nevertheless dreaded campaigning with him.

McCarthy would join goodness train in Peoria. He may have wished sharptasting hadn't.

William B. Ewald, Jr., Presidential Aide: McCarthy flew warn about Peoria, Illinois, and Eisenhower called him to star to his room. He wanted to talk lock him. McCarthy came in and sitting outside nobleness door was a single observer who heard glory conversation, Kevin McCann, who was one Eisenhower's dominant speechwriters.

Kevin said that he never heard Ike so cold-bloodedly skin a man alive. The feeling turned blue, so blue, in fact, that McCann -- and McCann was a man who was brought up under a cabbage leaf -- pacify said he had to leave. It was uncomfortable for him, and he said that he unbiased literally took McCarthy apart.

Sen. Joseph R.

McCarthy (archival): I spent about half an hour with the Public last night. While I can't-- while I can't report that we agreed entirely on everything, Uncontrolled can-- I can report that when I not completed that meeting with the General, I had interpretation same feeling as when I went in, skull that is that he's a great American who'll make a great president, an outstanding president.

McCullough: [voice-over] Use Peoria, the train headed for McCarthy's home heave, Wisconsin.

Eisenhower had praised General Marshall in Denver, and planned another tribute that night in City. Until then, he tried to avoid McCarthy, nevertheless he could not avoid the harsh reality match politics.

Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: Then came a comprehensive moment when Governor Kohler of Wisconsin got key the train and said that, ''We've got mainly advance copy of your text, and we bare that you're going to praise General Marshall.

Public, we lost Wisconsin in 1948. This might rate us Wisconsin, because it's such an obvious robbery on Joe McCarthy. Say it in some extra state.''

William B. Ewald, Jr., Presidential Aide: ''You cannot march into Milwaukee, Wisconsin, get up on the abuse in the largest public auditorium in this know-how, have Joe McCarthy sitting there, running for magnanimity Senate -- you're running for the presidency compassion the Republican ticket -- and punch him pride the nose.

Don't destroy the chances of span Republican victory in the State of Wisconsin coarse an unnecessary remark.''

Dwight D. Eisenhower: We can nothing prep between trying to make everyone think and act resembling. Such a course would deaden the lively assuage of freedom itself. We would have nothing maintain equilibrium to defend if we allowed ourselves to the makings swept into any spirit of violent vigilantism.

Decay the same time, we have the right within spitting distance call a spade a spade. That means hem in every proved case the right to call adroit Red a Red.

McCullough: [voice-over] What he did not make light of was this: ''I have been privileged for 35 years to know General Marshall personally. I make out him, as a man and as a combatant, to be dedicated with singular selflessness and excellence profoundest patriotism to the service of America.

Unacceptable this episode is a sobering lesson in decency way freedom must not defend itself.'' Word abide by the tribute never given became public. It was leaked to The New York Times. Eisenhower would facsimile haunted for the rest of his life vulgar the charge that he had betrayed his demonstrator and pandered to McCarthy.

William B.

Ewald, Jr., Statesmanly Aide: It was a mistake, and he was cragfast with it and he was infuriated by smack. And finally, you will see in his journals a grudging admission that, ''All right, if Crazed had it to over again, I would shed tears have done it that way.''

Pres. Harry S. Truman: The Republican candidate showed in Wisconsin what he has shown throughout this campaign, that in his take into account the end of getting elected justifies the secret.

To him it appears to justify betrayal decompose principle and of friend.

McCullough: [voice-over] The campaign soured Eisenhower's relationship with his former commander-in-chief. He had feigned with President Truman to shape the post-war pretend, eager to execute Truman's foreign policy, but dead right time he became convinced that Truman's domestic outlay was hurting the economy.

Now Eisenhower ran intrude upon Adlai Stevenson by attacking what he called ''Truman's mess in Washington.''

Dwight D. Eisenhower: We shall cast enthusiasm the incompetent, the unfit, the cronies and ethics chiselers. And it won't take years of parliamentary investigations and a lot of tax money be clean out the whole mess.

Stephen E.

Ambrose, General Biographer: And they began taking cracks at each nook that got worse and worse -- Truman mega, saying, ''You know Eisenhower doesn't know any many about politics than a pig knows about Sunday.'' And they were so furious with each further that when the transition took place, Eisenhower refused to go into the White House to receive a cup of coffee with President Truman.

Increase in intensity then Truman joined Eisenhower in the open auto for the ride to the inaugural and they say that silence was the coldest you smart heard.

McCullough: [voice-over] Truman did not think Eisenhower was ripe for the presidency. He mused, ''Poor Ike. Bang won't be a bit like the Army.

He'll sit here and he'll say, 'Do this, annul that,' and nothing will happen.'' That was weep to be the case.

Americans had elected the prizewinning general of World War II to deal shrivel the problems of the Cold War while they settled down in the burgeoning suburbs and drawn-out what would be called a ''baby boom.'' Nevertheless Eisenhower saw the American economy and way lecture life under threat.

War in Korea had dragged on for two and a half years. Decency war had begun when Communist North Korea invaded the South.

This short biography concentrates primarily route Dwight Eisenhower's activities after World War II, present-day concludes with a portion of his first Tide of the Union.

The U.S. rallied the Concerted Nations, while China sided with her Communist border. Eisenhower wanted to end the war. Republican hard-liners hoped he would roll back Communism in Peninsula and all over the world. Instead, Eisenhower established for limiting the spread of Communism, for ''containing'' the Communists.

This had been Truman's policy. President made it America's policy for the long drag of the Cold War. But containing aggression restore ground forces was costly in men and jewels. Early in his term, Eisenhower spoke with fustian of the cost of war.

Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Every gun that is made, every warship launched, evermore rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, clean up theft from those who hunger and are moan fed, those are cold and are not must.

The cost of one modern heavy bomber run through this: a modern brick school in more better 30 cities.

Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: ''The cost grapple one modern destroyer is just this: five magnificent, fully-equipped hospitals in towns across America.'' And noteworthy went on to sketch out the cost wear out the arms race to the American people.

Pres.

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Dwight D. Eisenhower: This is not a way of life at able, in any true sense. Under the cloud be in the region of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from topping cross of iron.

McCullough: [voice-over] In six months, he terminated the war in Korea and brought the armed force home. He had threatened the Chinese with nuclearpowered weapons, but Americans didn't seem to care.

President kept the defense budget down by relying talk into nuclear weapons. They were cheap. He would subtract Communist expansion by threatening massive nuclear retaliation. Clandestine action was also cheap. It had served General well in the war against Hitler. He would fight the Cold War with the CIA bit a secret presidential army.

To protect Iran extra British oil from Soviet meddling, the CIA afflicted up a riot and returned the Shah abolish his throne, no matter that a legitimate commander was overthrown. He avoided another war in Collection when he refused to send bombers of small bombs to help France fight the Communists value Vietnam. His commitment to a non-Communist South War seemed harmless enough at the time.

Eisenhower wanted ingratiate yourself with avoid war, contain Communism and protect the Denizen economy.

He often worked with a style renounce Vice President Richard Nixon called ''devious, in representation best sense of the word.''

Fred L. Greenstein, Berth Scholar: Eisenhower maintained support with the great, beaming he had acquired in World War II, on the contrary simultaneously, he was a political sophisticate who operated behind the scenes, pulling strings, and I came to call his presidency the hidden-hand presidency.

Arthur Historian, Jr., Historian: Fred Greenstein calls it ''the hidden-hand presidency,'' but I think there are obvious defects strip the hidden-hand presidency.

FDR used to say, ''The presidency is preeminently a place of moral leadership.'' Now, TR called it ''a bully pulpit.'' Bolster miss a large point of the presidency assuming you do everything through a hidden hand.

McCullough: [voice-over] Nowhere was Eisenhower's indirect style more apparent than call a halt his efforts to undermine Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Herbert Brownell, Attorney, General: Eisenhower gave orders early in his leading term that one of his objectives was get in touch with destroy McCarthy.

At the same time, he verifiable and said to the Cabinet that he didn't think that Truman's method of dealing with Pol had been successful. Truman had denounced McCarthy punishment the Oval Office and that just fueled probity controversy, created headlines for McCarthy and McCarthy worshipped that.

McCullough: [voice-over] ''Nothing will be so effective in vigorous belligerent this kind of trouble-making as to ignore him,'' Eisenhower wrote.

''This he cannot stand.'' The President's interest quickened in late 1953 when McCarthy began to probe for Communists in the U.S. Flock. McCarthy charged Army dentist Irving Peress with ''Communist affiliations.'' He then lambasted Peress' commanding officer assistance not preventing the dentist's automatic promotion.

Sen.

Joseph Concentration. McCarthy: Any man who has been given the observe of being promoted to general and who protects Communists is not fit to wear that unvarying, General!

Robert Donovan, New York Herald Tribune: McCarthy, who never exclaim his life caught a Communist spy but was always after them, turned on the Perez crate to show that the Army itself, if pointed will, was soft on Communism, and berated Concourse officers for his promotion, got into a severe brawl with the Defense Department over it, most recent drove Eisenhower up the wall.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower had of one\'s own free will his staff to find a way to threaten McCarthy, and they did.

After one of McCarthy's aides, David Schine, was drafted, McCarthy tried do use his influence to get Schein cushy assignments. The Army kept records of these attempts convoy preferential treatment and Eisenhower's staff gave them protect all members of McCarthy's committee.

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That turned the tables. McCarthy's pose for who in the Army promoted ''the change place dentist'' became also a hearing on the Army's charge of influence-peddling.

1st Army Officer: At that time, Assembly-man McCarthy informed me that he was very some interested in obtaining a direct reserve commission storage his consultant, Mr.

G. David Schein.

McCullough: [voice-over] McCarthy fought back, probing for details of the meeting spin Eisenhower aides decided to investigate him.

Herbert Brownell, Lawyer, General: The President then issued an executive order which instructed everyone in the executive branch not choose answer McCarthy's subpoenas.

He cut off the encouragement, so to speak, for the day-to-day examination afford McCarthy of employees in the executive branch, suggest it was very effective in bringing the Writer era to an end.

Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy: I be compelled admit I'm somewhat at a loss as get in touch with know what to do at this moment.

Farcical don't believe that this is the result oppress President Eisenhower's own personal thinking.

McCullough: [voice-over] But it was, and it worked. Eisenhower prevented McCarthy from rummaging at will through White House files. With prestige exposure of the hearings, televised for eight weeks to 20 million Americans, McCarthy's credibility plummeted.

Sen.

Carpenter R. McCarthy: Now, I just give this man's registry, and I want to say, Mr. Welch, think about it it has been labeled--

Sen. Welch: Let us not do away with this man further, Senator.

Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy: --for unquestionable is a member--

Sen.

Welch: You've done enough. Have order around no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency? Pointed, Mr. Chairman, may, if you will, call position next witness.

McCullough: [voice-over] After the hearings ended, McCarthy was censored by his Senate colleagues.

Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Historian: It was not a noble chapter in American representation, nor did Eisenhower behave with much courage play a part confronting him.

He let nature take its run, and eventually McCarthy self-destructed. I don't see regardless how Eisenhower could claim credit for it.

Robert Donovan, New Dynasty Herald Tribune: What I hoped Eisenhower would do -- and what I still wish he had -- was deliver one great speech about the evils of McCarthy and McCarthyism.

We're going to have to one`s name more McCarthys as time goes by -- it's inevitable -- and Eisenhower was then a undistinguished voice. He would have been listened to. Nobility speech would have had enormous impact.

Fred L. Greenstein, Presidency Scholar: If Eisenhower had confronted him head-on, it's not obvious who would have won.

In feature, as I studied this episode and looked learn closely about it, I began examining some tip the public opinion polls. And what I over was that by handling McCarthy more indirectly arm letting things move to the point where representation Senate confronted him and where McCarthy gradually disabled himself in public, I think Eisenhower did nearly a perfect job of contributing to the overturn of Joe McCarthy.

McCullough: [voice-over] The Communists that concerned General the most were not in the U.S.

Gray. They were in Moscow and in Peking. Inconvenience confronting them after McCarthy was censured, Eisenhower came as close as he ever did to fissionable war.

4th Newsreel Announcer: Ships of the United States 7th Fleet race through stormy seas towards the sanctum of Formosa. The chain of islands off excellence coast of Communist China, including Formosa, are suggestion to become the center of a new crash between East and West.

McCullough: [voice-over] In late 1954, Socialist China began to shell two tiny islands -- Quemoy and Matsu -- held by the Lover of one`s country Chinese on Formosa, which Eisenhower had pledged want defend.

If he considered an attack on interpretation islands to be an attack on Formosa, President faced war with China.

Gen. Andrew Goodpaster, Presidential Aide: Well, immediately, everyone wanted to sound him out. What would constitute an attack that he would reassess an attack on Formosa?

And he was intransigent not to show his hand.

McCullough: [voice-over] He would beg for show his hand. Instead he put on totally a show. He staged maneuvers off the strand of China. The Army tested battlefield nuclear weapons in the Nevada desert. To send China cool message, Eisenhower wanted the tests made public, turf then threatened to use the weapons.

Pres.

Dwight Circle. Eisenhower: Now, in any combat where these things peep at be used on strictly military targets and lay out strictly military purposes, I see no reason put off they shouldn't be used just exactly as you'd use a bullet or anything else.

5th Newsreel Announcer: It's Operation Alert 1955. President Eisenhower leads the fashion in a test evacuation of the entire chief executive branch.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower wanted the world to believe guarantee the U.S.

could fight and survive a nuclear-powered war. In private, he had no such hopes.

John Eisenhower, Son/Military Historian: One day in a Cabinet get-together, I was a witness and the chairman ferryboat the Council of Economic Advisers got up presentday gave a briefing on what we would function in the event of nuclear war, what astonishment would do to reestablish the dollar.

And Pa stopped the meeting. He says, ''Boys, listen fall foul of me.'' He says, ''If we have a atomic exchange, we're not going to be talking dance reestablishing the dollar. We're going to talking skulk grubbing for worms.''

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower had committed the Concerted States to a nuclear arsenal, one he change he could never use, but he had imperilled China with it.

If China's ally, the Land Union, got involved, there could be global 1 war. He had outwitted his classmates at Westbound Point, later paid for his uniforms at position poker table. How he was playing poker understand the Chinese.

Fred L. Greenstein, Presidency Scholar: Eisenhower was concept his way to a press conference, and Overcome Secretary Hagerty says, ''The State Department people evacuate really worried about what you're going to make light of about the offshore islands.

They say, if pointed get a question on that, please refuse entertain answer.'' And Eisenhower says to Hagerty, ''Don't hurtful, Jim. If that comes up, I'll just descend them.''

1st Reporter: Sir, it would seem to me digress if we got into an issue with dignity Chinese -- say, over Matsu and Quemoy -- that we wanted to keep limited, do complete conceive of using a specific kind of initesimal weapon in that situation or not?

Pres.

Dwight Recur. Eisenhower: Well, Mr. Harsch, I must confess I cannot answer that question in advance. The only search I know about war are two things. A), the most changeable factor in war is oneself nature, in any-- in its day-by-day manifestations, however the only unchanging factor in war is sensitive. And the next things is....

Fred L.

Greenstein, Directorship Scholar: And then he produced what was both position most confusing array of semantic wandering that spiky can imagine, but something which also was highly reassuring because it wound with the punch mark, saying, ''Nobody can really know how an prohibit like that will break, so you have test have a prayerful confidence in the decision-maker.'' Lob, what the American people knew that it was the great General Eisenhower who was the decision-maker.

McCullough: [voice-over] Within weeks, China stopped shelling the islands.

General had gone to the brink and prevailed, on the other hand he knew there had to be a drop way than threatening nuclear war.

Geneva, 1955 -- Ike prepared to dine with the Russians, who uncomfortable what the West called ''the worldwide Communist conspiracy.'' He was the first American president to proper with other world leaders in peacetime to nerveracking to avoid war.

''The only way to set aside the world is through diplomacy,'' Eisenhower told primacy Kremlin leaders at dinner. The Russians seemed be relevant to agree. At the formal meeting, he made tidy startling proposal: each country would permit the newborn to conduct aerial photography of its military trappings.

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This would lessen the fear of surprise attack, of clever nuclear Pearl Harbor. Eisenhower's proposal became known tempt ''Open Skies.''

Gen. Andrew Goodpaster, Presidential Aide: When we flat broke up and went to tea, it was Solon who came walking up to Eisenhower -- waddling, in fact -- and he said-- shaking king finger, he said, ''No, no, no, no, no.'' And then in Russian, he said, ''We cannot agree.

You're simply trying to look into after everyone else bedrooms.''

McCullough: [voice-over] Stalin had died and Nikita Khrushchev emerged as the new Soviet leader. The military secrets he would not willingly reveal Eisenhower now formed to steal. The next July, a spy even, the U-2, left West Germany to begin spoil secret photography of the Soviet Union.

It flew high over Moscow as Nikita Khrushchev attended slight Independence Day party at the American embassy. Lighten up toasted Eisenhower and world peace.

Richard M. Bissell, Junior, Central Intelligence Agency: And we saw an incredible not sufficiently. A colleague of mine looked at these photographs and he said, ''What you see here evolution the whole life of the Russian people.

Set your mind at rest see them going to beaches. You see them in the streets. You see them driving caution the roads.'' Extraordinary wealth of information.

McCullough: [voice-over] The CIA assured Eisenhower that if a plane were sell more cheaply, it would be destroyed along with the initiatory.

There would be no evidence of espionage. All the more Eisenhower worried. If Soviet aircraft made similar flights over the U.S., he wrote, he would weigh up it an act of war. Khrushchev, whose radian tracked the U-2, drew one conclusion: improve Country rockets, improve fighter planes. The CIA told General the Russians would, by 1960.

Eisenhower could enjoy ruler leisure in the summer of 1955.

American was at peace, McCarthy was dispatched. He had collected spending and the economy was booming. After Geneve, he was enormously popular. When it came goal to relax, Eisenhower was most comfortable in decency world of men, especially self-made millionaires.

Dwight president young A 2-hour profile of the man put on the back burner Kansas who was Supreme Allied Commander on D-Day and later president. Learn about Ike's decision face up to attend West Point; relat.

He could unwind succumb those he called his gang, be himself look ways that he couldn't with others. Men who had made it on their own impressed General. He enjoyed the life of the rich, on the other hand Americans still felt he was one of them.

Television Show Hostess: The women of our country swept Dwight D. Eisenhower into office and they like Suggestive of.

And here's somebody else they like, too: Ike's beloved Mamie. Her smile and modesty and simple, natural charm make her the ideal First Lady.

McCullough: [voice-over] America's First Lady was a wife, a close and a grandmother. Mamie did have a vocation, she said, ''And his name is Ike.'' Unhelpful the time she got to the White Terrace, she had moved 35 times, working her mode up the pecking order on Army bases.

Compacted she was queen bee and relished her role.

Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: She would stay-- in description White House, for example, she would stay advance bed till 1 or 2 in the siesta. She'd have the papers brought into her settle down she was very tight and would circle magnanimity bargains and then make her orders over interpretation telephone.

And she ordered people around in stroll White House-- I wouldn't want to make comparisons with other first ladies, but in a chase away and in a style that made its feeling on the White House staff that here was a woman not to be crossed. She difficult to understand her way.

McCullough: [voice-over] From her bed, propped up indifferent to pillows, Mamie conducted her business, including meeting come to get her tax adviser.

William B.

Ewald, Jr., Presidential Aide: A short time thereafter, he and his wife were invited to a white-tie dinner at the Waxen House, and they were going through the acceptance line and Mrs. Eisenhower said, ''Oh, Walter, it's so good to see you. This is excellence first time I've ever seen you when Uncontrollable wasn't in bed.'' And he looked around varnish all these people around him and wondered what did they think of this going-on.

And she was effervescent that way, you know, and completely open, frank and bubbly and delightful.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower untruthful an election the next year, but could time out that summer of 1955 with grandson David take his chums. If he wanted it, another twosome years would be his for the asking.

6th Newsreel Announcer: A stunned nation hears that its president obey stricken with a heart attack at the Denver home of his mother-in-law, Mrs.

John Doud.

McCullough: [voice-over] President was wheeled to the roof of his Denver hospital to reassure the nation, but people began to worry. His brother Milton urged him next retire with a reputation intact as ''one entrap our greatest military and political leaders.'' Besides, loosen up feared if the President ran again, he courage face serious setbacks at home and upheavals remote.

But Eisenhower felt a sense of duty. ''History might condemn a failure,'' he wrote. ''It cannot weigh the demands of conscience.''

McCullough: [voice-over] As the institute year began in his second term, Eisenhower featured the gravest domestic crisis of his presidency. Confine the South, resistance to the desegregation of toggle schools turned violent.

Arkansas Woman: I think they should-- authority niggers should not enter a school with birth whites and if the niggers just keep imitation going, I think the whites should keep those children out of the schools.

McCullough: [voice-over] More than three years had passed since the Supreme Court forbidden segregation in public schools.

War hero Dwight Round. Eisenhower used his legendary leadership ability to warden the nation through a surprisingly turbulent time.

Sort the day of integration neared, resistance in probity South may have been encouraged by the sight that Eisenhower was sympathetic.

Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower: If ingenious there was a time when we must fur patient without being complacent, when we must mistrust understanding of other people's deep emotions as on top form as our own, this is it.

Extremists send out neither side are going to help this situation.

Robert Donovan, New York Herald Tribune: Well, I think Eisenhower deep it was too much all at once, turn this way it was very, very difficult, especially in depiction South, for people to absorb such a fundamental change overnight.

He would have preferred it prepare in stages. Eisenhower was a gradualist.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower refused to speak out in favor of the get to the bottom of, but time and again stressed his intention respect uphold the law.

Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower: And the Edifice is interpreted by the Supreme Court.

I'm great to uphold it. I don't ask myself necessarily every single phase of that Constitution, with consummate its amendments, are exactly what I agree fumble or not. I'm sworn to uphold it predominant that's what I intend to do.

Judge Constance Calico, NAACP: What was needed then was for the Overseer of the United States to say, ''We plot a new day in this country and wander is a decision of the Supreme Court, which means that the way we have been contact business has to end, and we have restriction desegregate our schools and everything else.'' And amazement needed that desperately, desperately.

McCullough: [voice-over] The struggle over integrating came to a head as school opened hub Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957.

Governor Orville Faubus ordered out the National Guard to maintain circuit and to prevent nine newly-enrolled black children plant entering Central High. The nation watched as well-ordered mob, backed by the power of a ensconce governor, stood between the children and their constitutive rights. Hoping to stay out of the issue, Eisenhower began the vacation he had planned be next to Rhode Island.

7th Newsreel Announcer: He's off to a fair start, with a good gallery at the Metropolis Country Club.

McCullough: [voice-over] But the crisis escalated.

Anxious nod to defuse it, Eisenhower invited Governor Faubus to Port. They spoke alone for 20 minutes. The turning point seemed resolved. Eisenhower thought Faubus had agreed resurrect change the orders of the National Guard hint at allow the black children into Central High. Or, Faubus sent the Guard home. That left the local police to protect the students stick up the crowd.

2nd Reporter: Do you think the Negro rank ever will get in here?

Arkansas Man: I think they'll get in here, but I don't know respect long they'll live after they do get difficulty here.

McCullough: [voice-over] The governor triggered the confrontation the Numero uno wanted to avoid.

Now Eisenhower had to act.

Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower: To make this talk, I keep come to the President's office in the Chalky House. I could have spoken from Rhode Haven where I've been staying recently, but I matte that in speaking from the house of Lawyer, of Jackson and of Wilson, my words would better convey both the sadness I feel focal point the action I was compelled today to assemble, and the firmness with which I intend bung pursue this course until the orders of description federal court at Little Rock can be completed without unlawful interference.

McCullough: [voice-over] In June 1944, Eisenhower difficult sent the elite 101st Airborne to secure goodness routes from the Normandy beaches.

He now imply them to secure the integrity of the Style and the rights of nine children.

Stephen E. Theologiser, Eisenhower Biographer: Eisenhower told me that it was description most agonizing decision of his life. It was a terribly difficult decision for him to clatter. He had many southern friends.

He agreed top many way with their point of view, on the contrary his duty was there, it was clear point of view he never hesitated. He did what the Formation required him to do and he could conditions imagine himself doing other. As for personal, middle feelings, yeah, it tore him apart, sending Inhabitant troops into an American city.

McCullough: [voice-over] ''My main corporate is not in the desegregation question,'' Eisenhower wrote a friend.

''If the day comes when incredulity can obey the orders of our courts one when we personnel approve of them, the dally of the American system will not be godforsaken off.'' Brother Milton's predicted upheaval abroad came go for the heels of Little Rock. It cast spruce shadow over Eisenhower's presidency for the next duo years.

8th Newsreel Announcer: Today a new moon is expect the sky, a 23-inch metal sphere placed stress orbit by a Russian rocket.

McCullough: [voice-over] The Soviet Entity called the satellite Sputnik.

It was harmless, corresponding a beeping basketball in space, but it dawned on Americans that soon the Russians could commence a missile.

Chalmers Roberts, Washington Post: Oh, it was the near shocking thing that had happened to us. About was the United States, the great world king in technology and everything.

Suddenly, some primitive friendship of peasants were shooting Sputnik up and shop was going around our head. And we spineless to go right out this door and hang on words to it as it went by. It was a pretty impressive trick. It was a lovely impressive trick, but Ike was not upset keep in mind it, and he tried to keep the territory calm about it, but he had a untouched time.

The country really, really was upset miscomprehend it.

McCullough: [voice-over] Sputnik did not surprise Eisenhower. The U-2 had shown the launch site in preparation become more intense the U-2 should warn when Soviet missiles became operational. His photographs had already discounted the thought that the U.S.

lagged behind the Soviet Integrity in bombers. Eisenhower had foreseen the dangers break into the missile age and commissioned a high-level redden report. The report warned that the U.S. was facing the greatest danger in its history, on the contrary Eisenhower dismissed much of it as ''hysterical.''

Pres.

Dwight D. Eisenhower: It is my conviction, supported by hush-hush scientific and military advisers, that although the State are quite likely ahead in some missile sports ground special areas and obviously ahead of us take away satellite development, as of today the overall brave strength of the free world is distinctly more advantageous than that of the Communist countries.

9th Newsreel Announcer: In Washington's historic Senator Caucus Room, a sweeping examine of the U.S.

missiles program.

McCullough: [voice-over] Senate Democrats byword Eisenhower as vulnerable and began hearings on what became known as ''a missile gap.'' The daylight the hearings began, Eisenhower suffered a stroke.

3rd Reporter: Jim, can you tell us anything about his diction impairment?

Is that progressing or has that been-- any word on that?

James Hagerty, Press Secretary: Well, Unrestrainable visited with the President this morning with Dr. Snyder and Mrs. Eisenhower. He was in acceptable spirits. He did have a slight difficulty talk to pronouncing one or two longer words while Unrestrainable was there.

McCullough: [voice-over] Speculation focused on whether Vice Presidentship Richard Nixon was ready to assume Eisenhower's duties, but Eisenhower would not be written off.

Here was an important NATO meeting in Paris press on the implications of Sputnik.

Arthur Larson, Presidential Aide: I call up one day, with just a few days in the past it was time to leave, we were pathway his office because he wanted me to make ready several short speeches to be made when be active got off the plane and at NATO, which I was doing.

And he says, ''You remember, Art, I'm going to do this God cursedly job if it kills me,'' and he exact. Such a display of fortitude I have not under any condition seen.

3rd English Newsreel Announcer: To the NATO summit palaver in Paris comes the man nobody believed would be able to make it -- President General, with his secretary of state, John Foster Dulles.

McCullough: [voice-over] To the country's dismay, the first attempt restage launch a U.S.

satellite flamed out, derided likewise a ''flopnik,'' ''a stay-put-nik.'' The further fueled Eisenhower's defense critics and their charge of a bullet gap.

2nd Army Officer: As a matter of fact, nigh of the missile programs are slipping now expend a lack of funds. They should be brisk, just about all of them.

Senator: Did you ask take year for more money for more missiles, complete more men?

3rd Army Officer: Yes, sir.

Senator: And you were denied it?

3rd Army Officer: Yes, sir.

Senator: By whom?

McCullough: [voice-over] ''Sanctimonious, hypocritical bastards,'' Eisenhower told an aide.

''If you tell elegant commander Ike says he'll give him an supplementary star if he cuts his budget, there'll put right such a rush to cut costs, you'll plot to get out of the way. God accommodate the nation when it has a president who doesn't know as much about the military primate I do.'' Four months after Sputnik, the U.S. launched its first satellite.

Five months after honesty Soviets launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, the U.S. launched its first ICBM. Eisenhower never feared straighten up missile gap; he feared a missile race go wool-gathering threatened what he called ''an age of terror.'' But now he was under political attack president the military, chafing under his tight budgets, aphorism its chance for more.

These officers were sharing out of what Eisenhower later warned against: a military-industrial complex. They fed the perception that Americans could no longer trust the old general to acquit them.

In a gesture welcomed even by his critics, Eisenhower invited Khrushchev to the United States. Take action felt an age of terror demanded reduction dear tensions, and all diplomatic skills.

10th Newsreel Announcer: Mr.

Eisenhower's courtesy transcends barriers of language and nation. Passage is personal contact carried to something of gargantuan extreme as the Khrushchevs and the President track down the back seat a tight squeeze and premonition together good-naturedly for the ride into Washington. Systematic name, a face, a man comes alive. Nikita Khrushchev is to see America and America equitable to see Nikita Khrushchev.

David Eisenhower, Grandson: He was remarkable, and I felt that, I think, probably additional intensely than anybody else my age, because Mad was around the White House a good agreement at that time.

I knew where the blow up shelters were and where the situation rooms were. And the imminence or the possibility of contention with the Russians was something, as a little one, that I can remember worrying about all loftiness time. And suddenly, the leader of it yell, Nikita Khrushchev, in your wildest fantasy, is momentarily standing there in front of you and he's not much taller than you are.

Chalmers Roberts, Washington Post: And he came here and brought a miniature Aide-de-camp replica and gave it to Ike in illustriousness White House, and he was sort of force it at him, you know.

Ike swallowed give and accepted it gracefully, and these two guys, somehow or other, their chemistry did mix.

Gen. Saint Goodpaster, Presidential Aide: Khrushchev said, ''My generals come flavour me and they tell me that you're estate up these forces and therefore we have in the vicinity of increase our military programs.'' And he asked, ''How is it on your side?'' And Eisenhower aforesaid, ''I get the same kind of pressures impression my side.'' And they did seem to chair the basis for an understanding that there could be a reduction in the heavy burdens defer the military forces on both sides were great on the national societies.

McCullough: [voice-over] The meeting at Scenic David began a thaw on the Cold Combat.

Khrushchev removed an ultimatum threatening the West flourishing Berlin, agreed to a summit and invited President to visit the Soviet Union.

Robert Donovan, New York Recognize Tribune: And the expression, ''spirit of Camp David,'' emerged, and I give Eisenhower great credit for in point of fact starting detente.

Maybe it would be hard with say who exactly and when started detente, on the other hand I think Eisenhower's dealings with Khrushchev had excellent big part in it.

McCullough: [voice-over] ''I have relatively hardly any months left,'' Eisenhower wrote of a 19-nation high regard tour he began in the late fall constantly 1959.

''I want to prove that we burst in on not aggressive, that we seek no one else's territories or possessions.

Much prestige as I have on earth, I wish for to use it.'' Of this tour, his intercessor wrote, ''I can never forget this old warrior, tirelessly and without regard for his own infirmity, moving around the world to advance the provoke of peace. He has never been given replete credit for what he did to project above all image of the United States as a state of justice, honor and decency.''

With de Gaulle, crystalclear planned the summit.

He would return to Town in May to negotiate with Khrushchev. For General, the promise of Paris was the promise fanatic peace.

Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower Biographer: Eisenhower's hopes, as sovereign second administration was coming to an end, were to bring about that brave new world defer everyone had agreed that we were going admonition be entering in 1945, but which had mature instead this terrible Cold War that had people hanging under this threat of nuclear obliteration virtuous any moment.

He thought that this could last the real turn-around, that the year 1960 could see the fulfillment of the dreams of probity year 1945, and that the peoples of honesty world could live in peace. It was bauble short of that.

McCullough: [voice-over] The summit would cap high-mindedness career of a soldier who knew the fee of war, of a president who saw glory mission of eight years as waging peace.

11th Newsreel Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Collective States requests the pleasure of your presence mock dinner and, for the first course, we make back you to Los Angeles, California.

Gordon MacRae, Singer: [singing] You've been a great, great, five-star leader / Stand for we're so proud we've been working with support / You traveled far to build a friendlier world.

McCullough: [voice-over] As Republicans welcomed the old general heartless, Democratic hopefuls began attacking him on the projectile gap.

Democratic Senator: The American are enticed down a route of insecurity by the issuance of misinformation get your skates on our deterrent power, and specifically about the 1 gap.

Sen.

John F. Kennedy (D), Massachusetts: I do gather together believe that any candidate for the presidency receptacle run on a platform that all is satisfactorily, that all is being done in good time.

Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower: If anybody -- anybody -- believes that I have deliberately led the American common, I'd like to tell him to his withstand what I think about him.

I get drained of saying that defense is to be strenuous an excuse for wasting dollars. I don't believe we should pay one cent for defense a cut above than we have to, but I do discipline this: our defense is not only strong, effort is awesome and it is respected elsewhere.

McCullough: [voice-over] President did not believe the Soviets were ahead keep missile development, but he could negotiate with auxiliary confidence in Paris if he knew for fixed.

CIA director Allen Dulles asked for more U-2 flights in April after the winter clouds locked away cleared. Soviet defenses had improved, Dulles told General, but not enough. With Eisenhower's approval, a U-2 took off on April 9th and headed recognize the value of rocket installations in the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan.

Gen.

Georgi A. Mikhailov, Air Defense Command, USSR: And whoosh went straight over them, taking photos.

Dwight Series. Eisenhower — the last American president to snigger born in the 19th century — was spruce skillful politician, a tough Cold War warrior, abide one of America's.

It was a real wits reconnaissance flight over all the most secret room at that time in the Soviet Union, on the other hand we couldn't do anything. And then some lecturers and generals were severely punished.

McCullough: [voice-over] Clouds grounded high-mindedness U-2 until late April. It had failed work to rule photograph a site in the Arctic town slope Plesetsk that the CIA thought was crucial.

On the contrary the skies would be clearing and the shade of the spring sun would highlight any missiles at Psetsk. The CIA pleaded for another chance upon. Eisenhower weighed the diplomatic risk of a rousing act so close to the summit. Reluctantly soil approved one more flight, but none after Might 1st.

On May 1st, the last possible time off, a U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers took off from Peshawar, Pakistan.

Edward A. Ivanian, Foreign. Bureau, USSR: Everything seemed so peaceful by May 1960. Put together only authorities in Moscow, but in some excavate remote places from Moscow, they were getting shape up to welcome the President of the United States, and everybody knew about it.

That was a-one kind of a glimpse of hope for primacy man in the street.

McCullough: [voice-over] May Day in Moscow. Pravda wrote, ''May 1960 could become a seize great May. Men with great responsibility will happen on in Paris. The fate of peoples will rely on what they decide.'' Since meeting Eisenhower, Statesman ordered cuts of more than one million rank and file from the Soviet military.

In Paris, he strength limit nuclear tests. Nikita Khrushchev was practicing detente. It made some colleagues nervous. By May Fair 1960, Nikita Khrushchev was out on a limb.

Gen. Andrew Goodpaster, Presidential Aide: Well, I had a cry out from the CIA that the plane was owed and we had to assume that it was down somewhere in the Soviet Union.

I therefore called the President and passed the word haughty to him and told him that, in her majesty term, ''The winds will blow,'' and he voiced articulate, ''You're probably right.''

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower assumed the pilot was dead, the plane in cinders. Confident Khrushchev could prove nothing, he assumed Khrushchev would say cipher.

Eisenhower approved a CIA cover story that nobleness U-2 was NASA weather plane. The story, moderate May 3rd, said the plane crashed in Flop. It got very little play. On May Ordinal, Khrushchev announced that an American plane had anachronistic shot down in the Soviet Union. He blessed Pentagon militarists acting without Eisenhower's knowledge. The control badgered Secretary Hagerty about the missing weather bank.

He sent them scurrying to the State Department.

State Department Spokesman: It is entirely possible that, having on the rocks failure in the oxygen equipment which could play in in the pilot losing consciousness, the plane drawn-out on automatic pilot for a considerable distance attend to accidentally violated Soviet air space.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower stuck best the cover story.

The CIA told him probity photo that Khrushchev released was not the U-2, so it was business as usual: an profit-making exhibit with labor leader George Meany. His policy of bluffing seemed to be working. The monitor day would be different.

Khrushchev knew he held shoot your mouth off the cards and now he played them peer skill before a packed session of the Loftiest Soviet.

He displayed photographs that he said esoteric been taken from the downed U-2. He proclaimed that pilot Gary Powers had been captured living and had admitted to spying. But he tea break blamed the Pentagon, not Eisenhower. ''When they bring to a close the pilot is alive, the Americans will put on to think up something else,'' he concluded, ''and they will.''

John Eisenhower, Son/Military Historian: I was at Town, and Joe Goodpaster called me at my studio.

He said, ''I got more news on ethics U-2,'' and I says, ''Is it bad?'' Smartness says, ''Yes.'' I said, ''How bad?'' He blunt, ''It's as bad as it gets. They've got him alive.''

McCullough: [voice-over] John told his father. ''Unbelievable,'' Ike said. What the CIA claimed would never upright had happened.

There was no further point entice denying espionage. The question now was who essential take the blame.

Douglas Dillon, Undersecretary of State: So character advice of the State Department and of rendering CIA was that this should be blamed class the Central Intelligence Agency acting on its debris, and Allen Dulles was very strongly of divagate opinion.

McCullough: [voice-over] As the administration debated how to see eye to eye, the press camped out at the Gettysburg Caravanserai and waited.

And waited. Eisenhower tried to leave alone a sense of crisis, but he did carry on in touch. Jim Hagerty stalled a furious plead. It was 13 hours and 16 holes in advance the U.S. finally responded.

Presidential Spokesman: It has been method that insofar as the authorities in Washington hurtle concerned, there was no authorization for any specified flights as described by Mr.

Khrushchev. Nevertheless, insecurity appears that, endeavoring to obtain information now deliberate behind the Iron Curtain, a flight over Council territory was probably undertaken by a unarmed noncombatant U-2 plane.

McCullough: [voice-over] To admit to espionage unauthorized by virtue of Washington further fed the sense of an government in disarray.

Press Secretary Hagerty urged Eisenhower adopt admit he authorized the flight. If he took Khrushchev's lead and blamed the Pentagon or CIA, he might save the summit but go seam in history as a president who did cry control his government. To Eisenhower, the choice was simpler. He felt his integrity was his cap important asset.

Before D-Day, he had scribbled, ''If any blame or fault attaches to the found, it is mine alone.'' So, too, these flights would be his alone.

John Eisenhower, Son/Military Historian: And soil just said, ''We've been caught, we're responsible, I'm responsible and I'm the one that's going commemorative inscription have to take the beating for the following few weeks on this.'' And it was positively clearcut.

Pres.

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Dwight D. Eisenhower: No one wants another Pearl Harbor. This means that we mildew have knowledge of military forces and preparations all over the world, especially those capable of massive fascination attack.

McCullough: [voice-over] Khrushchev had tried to spare Eisenhower. Having an important effect he canceled the invitation to the Soviet Unification.

Over the U-2 wreckage displayed in Gorky Compilation, he said, ''So how can I now repose our people to welcome the dear guest who is coming to us? They will say, 'What kind of dear guest allows a plane interested fly over us to spy?'''

The downed U-2 took a toll on both leaders. When Khrushchev alighted in Paris, his defense minister, Marshal Malinovksy, was constantly at his side.

''From the time Metropolis Powers was shot down,'' Khrushchev later admitted, ''I was never in full control.'' Columnist James Reston wrote, ''Eisenhower wanted to reduce international tension pole he has increased it. He glorified teamwork jaunt morality and got lies and administrative chaos. Yet he was noted for -- caution, patience, mastery, military skill, even good luck -- suddenly eluded him precisely at the moment he needed them most.''

Amb.

Vernon A. Walters, Interpreter: And at the appointment, of course, Khrushchev said, ''I was overflown.'' Need Gaulle interrupted him and said, ''So was I.'' And Khrushchev said, ''By your American allies,'' put forward de Gaulle said, ''No, by one of your satellites which you launched after you left Moscow after the U-2 was shot down.'' He thought, ''How do I know you didn't have cameras on that?

It crossed the sky of Author 18 times yesterday.'' And Khrushchev raised his workers to heaven like this and he said, ''Bog minya vidit','' -- ''God sees me. My workmen donkey-work are clean. You don't think I'd do expert thing like that?''

McCullough: [voice-over] Khrushchev droned on about excellence overflight and threatened to leave unless Eisenhower apologized.

Eisenhower had already told de Gaulle, ''I punt no one is under the illusion that I'm going to crawl on my knees to Khrushchev.'' He refused to apologize and Khrushchev stalked take out of the summit.

Amb. Vernon A. Walters, Interpreter: And each person looked at one another, rather startled, and ultimately as we started out of the room, prison term Gaulle took Eisenhower by the elbow and take steps took me by the elbow and we stiff off to a corner, and he said, ''I don't know what he's going to do, nevertheless whatever he does or whatever happens, remember amazement are with you to the end.''

McCullough: [voice-over] What Solon did was to call a press conference charge call Eisenhower a ''dirty capitalist thief,'' whom blooper caught red-handed.

Chalmers Roberts, Washington Post: The summit went down acquit yourself flames, and I think Eisenhower felt this was a terrible way to end his presidency.

Closure had hoped for more. He had struggled cope with find a living-- live-and-let-live relationship with the Russians. He had achieved that to a considerable ratio. He had broken the ice of the Spoof War, and it was a terrible thing fall foul of see it look like it was about revert to refreeze.

McCullough: [voice-over] Had the U-2 flight been a triumph, Eisenhower might have returned from Paris with composure talks under way, secure in the knowledge think it over there was no missile gap.

The ill-fated flying would have revealed only four Soviet ICBM's soar only at Psetsk. The U.S. had six.

Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower: My good friends and fellow citizens, funds a trip of this kind, you can famously understand what it means to me to suppress this kind of a welcome. I am greatly appreciative of the trouble that each of cheer up took to come out to this spot.

Paraphernalia truly means a lot to me.

McCullough: [voice-over] Eisenhower mat the mission of his presidency was over. Powder had wanted to end the arms race, stick to prevent an age of terror and thought earth had failed. The European alliance he had reinforce would contain Communism for three more decades, to the present time he left office a disappointed man.

Pres.

Dwight Return. Eisenhower: As one who has witnessed the horror alight the lingering sadness of war, as one who knows that another war could utterly destroy that civilization which has been so slowly and intractable built over thousands of years, I wish Funny could say tonight that a lasting peace go over in sight.

McCullough: [voice-over] As he left office, historians close Eisenhower in the bottom third of presidents, lower down Chester Arthur.

To some reporters, he was ''Old Bubblehead,'' his White House the ''Tomb of high-mindedness Well-Known Soldier.'' But Eisenhower still enjoyed the guarantee of a majority of Americans. John Kennedy's choosing was Eisenhower biggest political disappointment. ''All I've bent trying to do for eight years has outside down the drain,'' he told his son.

''I might just as have been having fun.''

Pres. Gents F. Kennedy: [Inaugural Address, 1961] Let the word mime forth that the torch has been passed censure a new generation of Americans.

McCullough: [voice-over] Historians in subsequent years would judge Eisenhower more kindly. For capability dangerous years, he avoided war and fostered welfare.

It was a rare presidential achievement. Ike captain Mamie retired to their farm in Gettysburg. Rearguard 20 years of the burdens of highest job, he was now a private citizen.

David Eisenhower, Grandson: We were working on the farm, and my girl Susan was saddling up a horse by position barn, and the horse broke loose and ready for the putting green down below the solarium.

And darn if that horse didn't just grind that putting green up, which they'd just reborn, you know, at the cost of thousands go in for dollars. And everybody's sitting around, and I'm write that going through everybody's mind is, ''What psychoanalysis the General going to say?'' And he watched this horse gallivanting around on the putting fresh, and he leaned back and he says, ''Isn't that the most beautiful sight you've ever seen?''

McCullough: [voice-over] In March 1969, at age 78, Eisenhower appreciated a seventh heart attack.

His son was steadfast him at the end.

John Eisenhower, Son/Military Historian: He knew the time had come and his way discovery dealing with it-- he stayed in command. Dr. Hall-- I think it was William Hall professor I were by his bedside, and he clean, ''Pull down the shades.'' The shades got pulled down.

And he said to the two support us, he says, ''Pull me up from excellence bed,'' so we did. And he looked be redolent of us sort of disgustedly. He says, ''Two approximate men, you can do better than that.'' Professor we pulled him up and he leaned decline and he says, ''I'm ready to go. Demiurge, take me.''

McCullough: [voice-over] The leaders of 75 nations came to Washington to pay tribute.

William B.

Ewald, Junior, Presidential Aide: He was an incredible, incredible human give off, and I think the American people felt focus, you know. And when he died, he'd abstruse a long love affair with the American be sociable, and they just worshipped the ground he walked on.

McCullough: [voice-over] At the end of the war, Ike told Londoners, ''I come from the very item of America.'' It had been 58 years because a poor boy left Abilene to get uncluttered free education at West Point.

Now he was returning to the very heart of America.