LIBRARY OF RELIGIOUS BIOGRAPHY
Mark A. Noll, Kathryn Gin Lum, and Heath W. Carter, series editors
Long overlooked by historians, religion has emerged in recent years as a key factor in understanding the past. From politics to popular culture, from social struggles to the rhythms of family life, religion shapes every story. Religious biographies open a window to the sometimes surprising influence of religion on the lives of influential people and the worlds they inhabited.
The Library of Religious Biography is a series that brings to life important figures in United States history and beyond. Grounded in careful research, these volumes link the lives of their subjects to the broader cultural contexts and religious issues that surrounded them. The authors are respected historians and recognized authorities in the historical period in which their subject lived and worked.
Marked by careful scholarship yet free of academic jargon, the books in this series are well-written narratives meant to be read and enjoyed as well as studied.
Titles include:
Duty and Destiny: The Life and Faith ofWinston Churchill
by Gary Scott Smith
Gods Cold Warrior: The Life and Faith ofJohn Foster Dulles
by John D. Wilsey
One Soul at a Time: The Story ofBilly Graham
by Grant Wacker
A Christian and a Democrat: A Religious Life ofFranklin D. Roosevelt
by John F. Woolverton with James D. Bratt
The Religious Life ofRobert E. Lee
by R. David Cox
For a complete list of published volumes, see the back of this volume.
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
4035 Park East Court SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
www.eerdmans.com
2021 Jack M. Holl
All rights reserved
Published 2021
Printed in the United States of America
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
ISBN 978-0-8028-7873-1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Holl, Jack M., author.
Title: The religious journey of Dwight D. Eisenhower : duty, God, and country / Jack M. Holl.
Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2021. | Series: Library of religious biography | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: A narrative history of Dwight D. Eisenhowers faith that shows the impact of his religious convictions on his public life and his legacy of American civil religionProvided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021003718 | ISBN 9780802878731 (hardcover)
Subjects: LCSH: Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 18901969Religion. | PresidentsReligious lifeUnited States.
Classification: LCC E836 .H63 2021 | DDC 973.921092 [B]dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021003718
In memoriam
Dr. Richard G. Hewlett, chief historian of the US Atomic Energy Commission
mentor, 19741980
Professor David Brion Davis, Cornell University
PhD advisor, 19611969
Professor John J. Nolde, University of Maine
MA advisor, 19591961
Professor Walter C. Schnackenberg, Pacific Lutheran University
history major advisor, 19551959
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Eisenhower Era
1. Inauguration, January 1953
2. The Man from Abilene, 18901909
3. Duty, Honor, Country, 19091920
4. Fox Conners Premonitions, 19211939
5. Crusade in Europe, 19401946
6. The Most Intensely Religious Man, 19461952
7. In God We Trust, 19521955
8. One Nation, Indivisible, 19541958
9. The Iron Cross, 19531961
10. Abilene, End of the Trail, 19611969
Epilogue: Civil Religion, Church, State, and the Place of Meditation
Bibliographical Note
List of Sources
Acknowledgments
F irst, I want to thank the editors and staff of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., who provided insight and creativity that enhanced this project: David Bratt, executive editor, particularly for his work with series editor Heath W. Carter; Jenny Hoffman, senior project editor; Tom Raabe, copyeditor; Meg Schmidt, cover designer; Laura Bardolph Hubers, director of marketing and publicity; and Amy Kent, acquisitions administrator. The editors and staff at Eerdmans have not only been encouraging, but they have also been delightfully engaging throughout the editorial and production process.
In addition, I want to acknowledge the generous assistance of the archivists and staff of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas. James Leyerzapf became my archivist in 1975 and expertly guided me through the librarys resources until 2009. David Haight and Thomas Branigar also offered their incredible expertise. Subsequently, Keith Bailey, Christopher Abraham, Valoise Armstrong, Chelsea Millner, Linda Smith, and Mary Burtzloff ably assisted my research.
Dan Holt, former director of the Eisenhower Library, offered me invaluable insights, advice, editorial criticism, and friendship.
With Holts support and Leyerzapfs and Haights professional critiques, the Kansas State University Eisenhower Seminar met yearly at the Library to make public presentations of their research papers. Among the students in the seminar whose research contributed to this book were Keith Bates, Alan Bearman, Brian Jones, Glenn Leppert, and Leif Urseth.
Philip Cantelon and Robert Williams, in one way or another, have been involved in every book I have published. How do you thank faithful friends and inspiring colleagues for a half century of their criticism and red ink? Also, I want to acknowledge the excellent advice offered by two professors from Gettysburg College, Michael Birkner and Norman Forness. Several other scholars extended personal assistance in developing themes and analysis. They were Charles A. Appleby Jr., Stephen Ambrose, Jerry Bergman, Carlo DEste, Charles J. G. Griffin, Merlin Gustufson, Martin Medhurst, David A. Nichols, Martin Ottenheimer, Geoffrey Perret, and William B. Pickett. Carl Skooglund helped me select the title.
Editors are essential to successful writing. In addition to the marvelous editors at Eerdmans, I would like to thank five editors who have played an important role in pushing this project to completion: Mike Briggs, Steven Mintz, Mark Rozell, John Stauffer, and Gleaves Whitney.
Six pastors have also taken special interest in my book by providing theological insight. They are Earl Eliason, Darrel Gilbertson, Julie Kanarr, Jon Lee, Martin Marty, and Keith Swenson.
