WWs: WWII Influential Americans/Leaders

Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight Eisenhower

United States general who supervised the invasion of Normandy and the defeat of Nazi Germany. Later became President.

Chester Nimitz

United States admiral of the Pacific fleet during World War II who used aircraft carriers to destroy the Japanese navy (1885-1966)

Billy Mitchell

United States aviator and general who was an early advocate of military air power (1879-1936). Introduced the importance of planes sinking ships.

Douglas MacArthur

American general, who commanded allied troops in the Pacific during World War II. Became famous after WWII for rebuilding Japan and overseeing American war effort in Korea.

Omar Bradley

A general of the twentieth century. He commanded the United States ground forces in the liberation of France and the invasion of Germany in World War II.

Hap Arnold

U.S. General, Commander of all U.S. Air Forces, father of modern U.S. Air Force

George Patton

"Old Blood and Guts" Allied Commander of the Third Army. Was instrumental in winning the Battle of the Bulge. Considered one of the best military commanders in American history.

George Marshall

"Desk General", helped plan much of Roosevelt's plan to defeat the Axis. Later became Secretary of State organized the European Recovery Program to rebuild Europe.

Jacob Devers

American general who played important role in the North African and European Theaters. Understood the value of tanks. York County Native.

Naomi Parker Fraley

The face of Rosie the Riveter. She worked on assembly lines during WWII to keep the war machine running.

Ruby Bradley

Became a POW 3 weeks after Pearl Harbor. Was most highly decorated female veteran, and was called the "Angel in Fatigues" because she tireless worked to provide food and medicine to POW's in the Philippines.

Franklin Roosevelt

President of the US during Great Depression and World War II.

Harry Truman

Became president when Roosevelt died; gave the order to drop the atomic bomb.

Doris Miller

first African American to win the Navy Cross for valor for his actions at Pearl Harbor

Tuskegee Airman

332 Fighter Group famous for shooting down over 200 enemy planes. African American pilots who trained at the Tuskegee flying school.

Audie Murphy

Most decorated American soldier of the war seeing action in Sicily and at Anzio. He falsified his records so he could join military and later became famous movie star

Navajo Code Talkers

Native Americans from the Navajo tribe used their own language to make a code for the U.S. military that the Japanese could not desipher

Ernest King

Navy Admiral wanted U.S. take offensive in Pacific and stop japanese at guadalcanal. Fleet admiral in Battle of the Pacific.

Holland Smith

"Howlin' Mad"; In charge of the United States Marine Corps... father of Amphibious landings

Henry L. Stimson

Secretary of state decided to fire paper bullets at Japan for invasion of Manchuria. Appointed by FDR as secretary of war.