National Archives: American generals: seated left to right are William H. Simpson, George S. Patton, Jr., Carl Spaatz, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, Courtney H. Hodges, and Leonard T. Gerow; standing are Ralph F. Stearley, Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Walter Bedell Smith, Otto P. Weyland, and Richard E. Nugent.

U.S. Military Leaders  of World War II

National Archives: General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, at his headquarters in the European theater of operations. He wears the five-star cluster of the newly-created rank of General of the Army

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, (1890- 1969) Trained at Westpoint, he was an excellent administrator quickly advancing through various staff and command positions. In 1941, he became the chief of staff of the Third Army. By June 1942 he was made U.S. Commander in Europe.While in Europe, Eisenhower was valued a planner, mediator, and public relations person.In November 1942, Gen. Eisenhower commanded the invasion of North Africa. September1943. Toward the end of 1943 he was chosen to command the invasion of France, a project he could throw himself into with enthusiasm.On June 6, 1944 the Allied invasion of Normandy began with the largest combined force in history. For more information on General Eisenhower's role in World War II, read Eisenhower's memoirs "Crusade in Europe, "1948.

The George S. Patton Historical Society

General George S. Patton (1885-1945)- Known as "Old Blood and Guts" he was the only U.S. General feared by Rommel, his German counterpart in the North African Campaign. He and his armored tank division played a pivotal role in stopping the German counterattack at The Battle of the Bulge.He survived the war but died of injuries suffered in a jeep crash in 1945. For more information, the George S. Patton Society may be reached at: http://members.aol.com/Patton2GHQ/album.html

National Archives: General Bradley April 12, 1945

General Omar N. Bradley, (1893-1981) - One of the most capable generals of WWII, his II Corps participated in the North African Campaign and were primarily responsible for victoriy in Tunisia. After joining the Normandy Invasion in 1944, his men liberated Paris on August 25. He took command of the Twelfth Army Group which contained more than 1,000,000 men. They helped to defeat the Germans in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Czechoslovakia.

National Archives: General MacArthur surveys the beachhead on Leyte Island, soon after American forces swept ashore from a huge liberation armada into the central Philippines, at the historic moment when he made good his promise `I shall return.'

General Douglas MacArthur, (1880-1964) - Recalled to active duty in 1941, he became the supreme allied commander in the Southwest Pacific Theater and later the entire Pacific. After accepting the surrender of Japan on Sept. 2, 1945. He subsequently was appointed Military Governor during the Allied occupation of Japan, and was responsible for demilitarization and the beginnings of a democratic society in post-war Japan.

Admiral Chester Nimitz, (1885-1966) As a Naval officer, Nimitz supervised the construction of the first diesel ship engine, just before WWI. He served as chief of staff to the commander of the Atlantic submarine fleet during this first war. After the attack on Pearl, he was appointed commander in chief what was left of the Pacific fleet. He held off the response attack until he felt
the fleet was fully ready, and led the fleet to many victories with his island hopping strategy. He represented the US in signing at Japan's surrender on the USS Missouri in 1945.