In August 1910, Dwight D. Eisenhower sought support from Kansas Senator Joseph L. Bristow to enter a military academy. Eisenhower, born October 14, 1890, was nearly twenty, but claimed to be a year younger. The Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, did not accept candidates over age eighteen. Eisenhower secured Bristow’s recommendation to the Army school at West Point.
Kansas State Historical Society
Letter from Dwight David Eisenhower to Senator Joseph L. Bristow, August 20, 1910
Preparing Military Leaders
In 1802, Congress created the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, to train Army officers for national defense. Congress later established additional service academies. To ensure broad representation and experience, each state and congressional district is allotted a number of entrants. Military service academies have produced many distinguished leaders, including West Point graduate Dwight D. Eisenhower, who became supreme allied commander in Europe during World War II and the 34th U.S. president.
In August 1910, Dwight D. Eisenhower sought support from Kansas Senator Joseph L. Bristow to enter a military academy. Eisenhower, born October 14, 1890, was nearly twenty, but claimed to be a year younger. The Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, did not accept candidates over age eighteen. Eisenhower secured Bristow’s recommendation to the Army school at West Point.
Kansas State Historical Society
