Presidential Leaders

Dwight D. Eisenhower spent almost his entire lifetime serving his country. After attending West Point, he began a celebrated military career highlighted by becoming supreme commander of the European Allied forces during World War II, and a five star general. Following the war, his popularity soared. He commanded NATO forces before being easily elected as America's 34th president. During his eight-year presidency, Eisenhower became the first American president to send U.S. troops into Vietnam as advisers, began the space race, and dealt with ever-increasing civil rights issues. Through it all, Eisenhower's reputation for being patriotic and trustworthy ensured that he would be remembered as one of history's most popular leaders.

In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, then Vice President Gerald Ford became the first person to succeed a president who had resigned from office. Although Ford's presidency lasted only three years, he worked diligently to heal a country from war, inflation, and controversy. Ford began a career serving his country in World War II, eventually becoming a lieutenant commander in the Navy. In 1948 he was elected to the United States Congress, where he served with distinction for the next 25 years. During the Watergate investigations in 1973, the vice president resigned and Ford stepped into that office. When President Richard Nixon resigned a short time later, Ford became the first president that was not officially elected by the country. Ford is largely credited with restoring the country's faith in office after a tumultuous decade.