Dwight Eisenhower is generally referred to tidily as the 34th Honcho of the United States, but historically language he was indeed the key military strategist in successfully leading and managing the Allied Forces to victory in World War II, especially for carrying out the Allied assault on the coast of Normandy, one era following the D - Day invasion in June of 1944. Although many leaders played crucial roles in the ultimate outcome of the war, some would say that unredeemed Ike, victory would not have come as soon as it did, if at all.
During World War II General Dwight D. Eisenhower sometimes wore a leather jacket ( similar to, but not identical to, a bomber jacket or flight jacket ) while living at Telegraph Cottage, 15 miles south of London. This house was the location of his headquarters during World War II while in command of the Allied forces. This rare, historic, World War II relic has been located and acquired by a private collector in the U. S.
Made of genuine leather, the jacket has four bullion stars sown onto the shoulder, which mark the General ' s rank at the time. While he was a Four - Star General for 17 months during the War, for the final 7 months he was a Five - Star General. At that time the leather jacket went into the hands of the General ' s valet, Sgt. John Moaney. There is no evidence, either as of this writing or the Sargent ' s recollection, that it was ever replaced with a Five - Star Leather Jacket for the final 7 months of the War.
Later it was learned that this very leather jacket was presented, nearly 30 years ago, to a private collector. Impeccable provenance, in the form of a detailed letter written on white house stationary, attesting to all historic details many years ago. Specifically, this leather jacket came from Sgt. Moaney and his wife Delores, who was also the Eisenhower ' s personal cook. In fact, the Eisenhower ' s were so fond of this couple that following the 8 years they spent together in The White House the Moaney ' s were invited to move to Gettysburg farm, and live near the retirement home of the Eisenhower ' s. This move came to fruition following the inauguration of John F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961.
Upon his death in 1969, Ike also bequeathed to Sgt. Moaney his handsome 18 - karat Yellow Gold Datejust ( a rare make by the most famous watch manufacturer in the world today ), as well as a cash gift; an additional token of the President ' s affection. From 1942 until the President ' s death in 1969, he was with Ike almost daily. Years before the President ' s death, Eisenhower authored a book entitled At Ease, in which he thoughtfully described John as indispensable to him during his lifetime.
