Staff Reports
Former U.S. President and five-star Army general Dwight Eisenhower wrote a heartfelt letter 20 years after the historic D-Day invasion during World War II, expressing deep appreciation for the sacrifices made and the victory achieved. In this letter, Eisenhower reflected on the anxieties and hopes that filled him on that pivotal day in 1944. The letter, now part of an online auction, has been described by the auction house president as still stirring and relevant today, 60 years after it was written.
Eisenhower addressed the letter to his British intelligence chief, retired Maj. Gen. Kenneth W.D. Strong, expressing gratitude for Strong’s professional skill and dedication during Operation Overlord. The auction house president emphasized Eisenhower’s direct approach in recruiting Strong, bypassing the British military hierarchy and appealing directly to former Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Dwight Eisenhower never forgot Normandy miracle: Letter @AlexAuto plans to auction inspiring letter. Prez Bill Panagopulos, “After sixty years, Ike’s words are still as stirring as the day he wrote them.”https://t.co/43csa8WObh via @dcexaminer pic.twitter.com/vODgoaQpjx
— Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) June 6, 2024
As world leaders gather in Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, they express similar sentiments regarding the impact of the historic invasion. Eisenhower's letter serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the ultimate victory achieved in the war.
