Dwight D Eisenhower when he was 10 months old Two years after Dwight’s birth the family returned to Abilene The future president with his brothers Arthur Edgar Roy Earl and Milton grew up on the old homestead of his grandfa ther Jacob Eisenhower In 1947 this home became a national shrine Family souvenirs and papers are housed in the Eisenhower Presidential Museum opened in Abilene in 1954 David worked in a creamery and the family was poor Dwight and his brothers were introduced to hard work and a strong religious tradition at an early age During his school days young Dwight was Major Dwight D Eisenhower standing third from left with his brothers and his parents in about 1935 12 12
Early Life and Military Career Right running head usually called Ike by his friends The nickname stayed with him throughout his life Ike’s favor ite school subjects were English history and geometry but he took only a moderate interest in his studies Even as an adult Eisenhower did not enjoy the company of scholars He much preferred sports and excelled at both baseball and football Early Military Career and Marriage Ike graduated from Abilene High School in 1909 For the next two years he worked in a creamery to help pay Edgar’s expenses at college In 1911 he took the entrance exami nation for the Military Academy at West Point His mother who was a pacifist cried when she found out Ike wanted to join the military Though he ranked second in the tests he obtained the appointment when the top candidate failed to pass the physical examination The young cadet was a promising halfback on the academy football team but had to give up the game after injuring his knee Eisenhower graduated from West Point in 1915 and was 13
Eisenhower as a graduate of the U S Military Academy at West Point New York 1915 14
Early Life and Military Career Right running head commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry He ranked 61st in a class of 168 students 59 of whom would go on to become generals Eisenhower was assigned to the 19th Infantry Regiment at Fort Sam Houston Texas In nearby San Antonio he met Mamie Doud of Denver He gave her a miniature of his West Point class ring amethyst set in gold to mark their engagement on Valentine’s Day in 1916 Despite her father’s worries that the life of a military wife would be too difficult they married on July 1 1916 at the Douds Denver home That same day Eisenhower was promoted to first lieutenant The couple began married life in military housing in San Antonio As Dwight’s career took them all over the world Mamie ran many different homes often with little money and by the time she moved into the White House she estimated that she had unpacked at least 27 times Wherever the military led them the Eisenhowers had the tradition of hosting a weekly buffet often followed by Mamie play ing the piano The Eisenhowers had two sons Doud Dwight born in 1917 who died of scarlet fever in 1921 and John Sheldon Doud born in 1922 John also became an officer in the Army 15
