Dwight Eisenhower

giving a speech to the troops (wikipedia)

Dwight Eisenhower was a true leader with qualities like bravery, inspiration and leadership. When I first started thinking about who my hero would be, I had some trouble, but then when I was reading a WW2 book I saw Dwight Eisenhower. So I decided to make him my hero. Dwight was born October 14, 1890. And after being in the army since WW1, Dwight became a five star general. Eisenhower made a brave move in the Summer of 1942 by sending out Operation Torch. Just to give you some information about Operation Torch, it was a plan to send troops up through Africa to cut the German's fuel lines to stop Hitler and his troops. A big risk for a big reward. Another reason is in the Korean War Dwight stood up for Taiwan as China wanted their land. Dwight saw a larger bully beating up on someone smaller and weaker and took action. He worked to have China not take over Taiwan.

Another reason I respect President Eisenhower is because he stood up for equality for people. He is quoted to say, "I propose to use whatever authority exists in the office of the President to end segregation in the District of Columbia, including the Federal Government, and any segregation in the Armed Forces." Eisenhower also stood up for the non white people in an effort for fairness. He saw blacks were just as qualified as white men and stood up against his own color.

Portrait (wiki)

The day before the D-Day invasion Eisenhower gave a famous speech to the troops. He said, ''Men, no matter what happens tomorrow try your best and the result will be the end of the war.'' He gave a speech to troops about to be shredded apart by German machine guns which was hard but it inspired them to try their best and follow orders.

Eisenhower was also the 34th president of the United States. He was the president who put Alaska on the map for the 49th state. When in Germany he was impressed with the autobahn highway. When returning to the US, President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act, providing federal funding for the construction of a interstate highways system for transportation on June 19, 1956.

Unlike other presidents, Eisenhower saw the potential for the United States. "He later launched a national campaign that funded not just space exploration but a major strengthening of science and higher education. He rushed construction of more advanced satellites, created NASA as a civilian space agency, signed a landmark science education law, and improved relations with American scientists." (Wikipedia) One of His famous quotes was, "One quality that can be developed by studious reflection and practice is the leadership of men". Sadly he died March 28 1969 at the age of 78. President Dwight Eisenhower was a hero on the battlefield and at home. He was a hero to me because of his sacrifice and bravery and, most important, inspiration.