Mary Jean Eisenhower had a childhood like no other. She was raised in and around the White House, where on any given day she would walk into the Oval Office to see not only her “granddad,” President Dwight D. Eisenhower, but also many of the mid-20th century’s most famous people. When not in Washington, she was at the Eisenhower Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where “Ike” retired after his two terms as president (1953-61). Later in life, Mary Jean served for more than a decade as the chief executive officer of People to People International, an organization founded by her grandfather.
What was it like growing up as the president’s granddaughter?
EISENHOWER: Well, I knew it was a big house, but being born during my grandfather’s first term I didn’t really know the difference. But gradually I learned it was special with lots of interesting people visiting, and it impacted me even more when I began school. My father [Ike’s son, John S.D. Eisenhower, 1922-2013] was on the White House staff, and we split our time between Washington and Gettysburg. But in D.C. he would come home every day from the office – the Oval Office.
Did your grandfather ever discuss World War II?
EISENHOWER: He was disturbed after World War II with what he saw in the liberated [concentration] camps, which is why he brought the Press Corp to bear witness by taking pictures. What I remember is that he had a photo album on the bookshelf of his “man cave,” so to speak, in Gettysburg, which had very graphic photos and was there for anybody to see. I looked at it as a kid, and it was surreal. Also, I felt like he “spoke” to me about World War II after he died when I became CEO of People to People International, the organization he founded to promote peace.
Can you tell us about your visits to the Normandy D-Day beaches?
EISENHOWER: I have been there eight times, and the last time, a few months ago, was the most significant since it was the 70th anniversary. I had also just lost Daddy, who had passed away, so I felt that in spirit, Granddad was on my right and Daddy was on my left. There were 19 [D-Day] survivors who made the trip and they stood tall that day, and it was very moving as we stood in the bunkers atop Pointe Du Hoc. It is certainly hallowed ground. I was also reminded of Granddad, who always got emotional about D-Day and went back only one time.
What other places in Europe have you visited that stick with you?
EISENHOWER: I have been to [the former concentration camp locations at] Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and Dachau, which as I said earlier made a deep impression on my grandfather during the war and also on me when I visited. When my grandfather was president, the Cold War was not all that “cold,” and the potential of World War III was his worst nightmare. He liked to say, “I have met the enemy, and found them human.” I have also visited Bastogne, which is hallowed ground as well, and have been to Brussels, where my grandfather was made an honorary citizen of Belgium.
What do you believe is your grandfather’s enduring legacy?
EISENHOWER: The way I remember [Ike] and I believe he would like to be remembered is as an architect of peace. He spent his whole life trying to bring people together.
Did he inspire you to serve with People to People International?
EISENHOWER: My grandfather was passionate about the organization, and he and my dad often talked about it. People to People contacted me in 1996 to talk at one of their conferences in Newport Beach, California, where 30 nations were attending. While there, I met Nikita Khrushchev’s son [Sergei], and when we shook hands, he said, “My dear, I hope you are not as uncomfortable as I am,” and he turned out to be one of the nicest people I ever met. This was an example of what Granddad envisioned – that someone like me would get along with the son of his biggest adversary during his presidency. It changed my life, and I spent 16 years there in my day job, and I am still involved today.
How often do you get to the Eisenhower Farm in Gettysburg?
EISENHOWER: I get there every year. And we have a Washington chapter of People to People, so in the spring I give them a tour of the house, which is still all original or exact duplicates of what was there.
What leaders in history do you most admire?
EISENHOWER: My grandfather aside, it would be Teddy Roosevelt. He broke the mold so many times. Teddy was known for telling it like it was, but he could disagree in an agreeable way.
What do you believe are the main traits of truly outstanding leaders?
EISENHOWER: I put it into the context of my grandfather, who was not concerned about credit and glory. He wanted solutions to problems, and he could be very firm if they did not get done. Also, he surrounded himself with successful people and believed leadership complemented itself rather than competed.
What aspects of military history are important to you?
EISENHOWER: The amazing camaraderie in World War II, where Europe was not our fight but we went to rescue our fellow man with no visible return for us; this is what made America. And how we regenerate that same spirit even today, where everyone was involved, including women who left home, in a unified effort to fight that sinister tyranny.
John Ingoldsby conducted this interview. He is a leading military history writer and president of IIR Inc. (IngoldsbyIR.com), a media and public relations firm in Boston.
Originally published in the March 2015 issue of Armchair General.
