On This Day – Future President Eisenhower Chosen to Lead Allied Armies in World War Two

General Eisenhower.
General Eisenhower.

On this day in 1943, General Dwight David Eisenhower was selected to command the allied armies in Europe. Beginning his military career in 1915, Eisenhower spent years trying to break through ranks in the army to gain more responsibility in authoritative roles, but to no avail as his requests were repeatedly denied.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in World War Two, Eisenhower was assigned to the General Staff in Washington, where he served until June 1942 with responsibility for creating the major war plans to defeat Japan and Germany. On February 11 1943, his authority was extended as commander of AFHQ (Allied Force Headquarters) across the Mediterranean basin to include the British Eighth Army, commanded by General Bernard Law Montgomery. Better still, in December 1943, President Roosevelt decided that Eisenhower would be Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.

He later presided as President of the United States between 1953-1961, making him the 34th President.