In thinking about WWII the mind quickly wanders to the thousands of hero’s that played such an active role in the war. Young men of all different cultures stood up for their country and for their basic understanding of human rights and fought for what they knew was right. Many of these heroes played minor roles in the war, and many young men gave their lives as soldiers fighting throughout Europe and the east. Then there were the heroes that played a larger role, the type of role that helped to shape the outcome of the war, and one of these heroes was Dwight Eisenhower.

Many of us look back on Eisenhower in his role as President of the United States, but prior to that role he was the Allies Supreme Commander, and prior to that he was a general solider and a student at the West Point Academy. A young soldier at the onset of WWI, Eisenhower’s leadership ability and organizational skills earned him a spot at home in the United States during this initial world conflict. Instead of fighting and putting his life at risk at this time, the then Captain in the Armed Services trained fellow soldiers. Many now consider this fate, as so many young men lost their lives during this first war. Eisenhower was prepared at the onset of WWII to play a much larger role in the international affair.

The onset of WWII provided Eisenhower with the large military role that he was destined to play. Eisenhower planned the American offensive against Germany, and was largely responsible for the success of the Allies on D-Day at Normandy. The Allies lost a minimal amount of soldiers on that day when compared to the massive amount of young men that were present. The majority of those lost were lost at Omaha Beach on this dreadful day. After his success at Normandy, Eisenhower was named the General of the American Military, and less than ten years after the battle he led at Normandy and nine years after the conclusion of WWII, Eisenhower was elected President of the United States.

When we look back at the horror and heartbreak that comprised so much of WWII, it is important to also acknowledge the hero’s that had such a huge impact on the entire situation. If it was not for the strong moderation and organization of the leaders like Eisenhower during WWII, then the result of the war may have been very different and our lives and history could be another story entirely.