M Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969), known as “Ike,” was the 34th President (1953–1961). A five-star general, he served as Supreme Allied Commander in WWII, overseeing the D-Day invasion. As President, he oversaw an era of prosperity and the construction of the Interstate Highway System. Eisenhower maintained a policy of containment during the Cold War, ended the Korean War, and in his farewell address famously warned against the “military-industrial complex.”

Interesting anecdote: Eisenhower was an enthusiastic golfer – so much so that he had a putting green installed on the White House lawn in 1954. He played golf frequently (nearly 800 rounds during his two terms), bringing the sport into the spotlight. One particular pine tree at Augusta National Golf Club that he often hit with his shots was nicknamed the “Eisenhower Tree” (it stood until it was removed after storm damage in 2014).