With victory achieved over Nazi Germany, Eisenhower was hailed as the hero who had liberated much of the continent of Europe.  He had helped save the free world.  President Truman said that Eisenhower’s leadership was “inspirational."

Everyone, in the United States and in Allied Europe, admired him and expressed their thanks and gratitude.  Praised by the press at home and showered with accolades and gifts from around the globe, the General was one of the most popular personalities of his time.

In the post war period he served the years 1946-1948 as Army Chief of Staff.  After two years as president of Columbia University, in early 1951 he was named Supreme Commander of the newly created North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a deterrent to Soviet aggression during the Cold War.  Eisenhower’s military and diplomatic skills as well as his popularity made him a successful candidate for President of the United States in 1952.