Few names are as legendary and well known in the United States as George Washington. He was one of the critical figures in the founding of the United States and is known as the father of our country. He led the Continental Army over Britain in the American Revolutionary War and went on to be the first President of the United States of America, serving two terms.

Washington served as a surveyor of rural lands as a youth, which helped him learn a lot about the terrain of his native Virginia. Eventually he got his first battle command experience in the French and Indian War in the 1750s and 1760s where he began as a colonel and eventually became a commander. He was known for his military bearing and charisma and became a leader of the patriot cause in Virginia. The Second Continental Congress chose him as their commander-in-chief of the American Army in 1775.

He was victorious over the British in 1776 forcing them out of Boston, however later that year, he was defeated and almost captured after losing New York City. That night he led his forces across the Delaware River in New Jersey and defeated the surprised British forces. He went on to lead American forces to capture the two main British combat armies in 1777 and 1781.

When the war ended in 1783, Washington retired to his plantation on Mount Vernon. By the late 1780s he was concerned about the weakness he saw in the new nation under the Articles of Confederation, leading him to preside over the Constitutional Convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Washington became President of the United States in 1789.

Labels: George Washignton, presidents

Before he became the thirty-forth president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower was a war hero. This Texan was largely responsible for helping the United States triumph over Nazi troops during World War II. From the start of the war, Eisenhower was given large responsibilities that included devising war plans and tactics that would help the U.S. defeat the looming threat that was Japan and the strong German forces. Eisenhower’s impressive military tactics were immediately put to use when General George Marshall helped to appoint Eisenhower to the post of Commanding General for operations based in London, England. Impressed by his display of military knowledge, Eisenhower was granted control over the British 8th Army – a first for an American Commander.

Eisenhower was always the brain behind many key elements in U.S. military strategy. Former President Roosevelt trusted Eisenhower with critical military negotiation, and military leaders across the world took notice and tried to emulate Eisenhower’s own military brilliance. Highly praised throughout World War II, Eisenhower simply rose to greater status. Proud of his accomplishments, Eisenhower accepted each offered position from Military Governor to Chief of Staff and then finally to presidency in 1953. Perhaps a first in U.S. presidency history, Eisenhower was repeatedly begged to run for presidency from the citizens of the United States. Those that wanted Eisenhower in office were impressed by his cool military tact and confident demeanor, Americans everywhere rejoiced when Eisenhower won the presidential race. No other man in history rose as quickly and as modestly as Eisenhower did. Although he was always behind the scene, he remains a war hero for his great American war time contribution.

Labels: leaders, presidents, WWII

Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States of America, is only synonymous with World War II because of two things. Truman succeeded Franklin Delano Roosevelt, since he was vice president when Roosevelt passed away, and Truman was the one that issued the order to end the War in the Pacific by allowing the use of atomic bombs against Japan.

Upon Roosevelt’s death, Truman was left with a world turned upside down. Depression shortages were still raging, America was out of work, the United States was at war, and Japan was rapidly depleting U.S. forces. Prior to Roosevelt’s death, Truman knew little of the Manhattan Project (a secret project devised, under Roosevelt, to create the first nuclear bomb). When Truman was suddenly thrust into office, he was quickly brought up to speed regarding the Manhattan Project and the United States’ new nuclear capabilities. Upon assessing the situation that the United States and its allies were in regarding World War II and the Pacific War, Truman decided that using the atomic bomb to end conflict was the only way to settle the looming threat of Japanese occupancy.

Though Truman enjoyed short lived successes such as the final defeat of Japan, the end of World War II, and the forging of the United Nations, he was not re-elected into office during the 1952 race against Dwight Eisenhower. For his acts relating to the end of World War II, and his direct involvement in the Pacific War, Truman will forever go down in history attached to World War II, Franklin Roosevelt, and the War in the Pacific.

Labels: leaders, presidents, Truman

America’s involvement in World War II cannot be mentioned without referring to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States of America, and is the only president to have served more than two consecutive terms in the White House. Much loved by his supporters, Roosevelt was affectionately referred to in many homes across the country as “F.D.R.”

Roosevelt saw the world from an aquatic viewpoint and spent enormous amounts of money and invested large amounts of time in order to create the U.S. Navy Reserve. Under Roosevelt’s care, submarines were perfected, land mines were created, and the United States helped its war time allies, such as Britain, fight off Germany’s numerous attacks. Although Roosevelt saw the untapped potential of the vast sea, he also spent a fair amount of time and money to help boost the U.S. military’s overall status. Investing the government’s time and money into the military proved to be worth the effort and allowed the United States to strategically plan both air and sea combat.

He was a close friend of Winston Churchill’s, and as such Britain remained one of Roosevelt’s primary concerns throughout the war. Often, Roosevelt sent funds to Britain to aide against German attacks. Sometimes these funds were sent in secret, but always with the intention of bettering the allied cause. While helping American allies win the war against Nazi Germany was always near the top of his list, Roosevelt’s heart always seemed to remain close to home as he bravely led the country through the Great Depression. F.D.R’s optimistic, ever-happy attitude often lifted the weary spirits of the American people, but Roosevelt was more than just a confident face. It was under F.D.R’s watch that the creation of numerous aide programs were born, including Social Security, which lent haggard Americans a helping hand during the years of great hunger and lost wages. Although the war has long since passed, Americans have passed on their great appreciation for F.D.R’s fearless leadership, and he consistently remains ranked as one of the top three presidents ever to lead the United States.

Labels: leaders, presidents, roosevelt