Dwight D. Eisenhower

(October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969). At the time of these entries, serving in the American Military Mission to the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935-1939) or the war Plans Division (1941-1942).

June 28, 1937

a. General has directed me to get up estimates on total needs in mobilization equipment for next two years, to end of 1939. This amount,

July 31, 1937

Have begun a campaign to instill in Philippine Army, particularly in officers, a higher regard for regulations, orders, and care of government property. Recently two

August 25, 1937

The last week has been one of the most trying ones I’ve had on the P.I. There has been an unusually large number of difficult

October 1, 1937

The General, a few days ago, put in his application for retirement, effective Dec. 31. Possibly that will dispose of the question of his immediate

October 8, 1937

At 12:15 today the General had a conference (called a conference by courtesy. It was nothing but a monologue –since even when given “2 minutes”

October 11, 1937

These notes were originally started more as an “aide memoire” –and as a matter of possible future interest have obviously become necessary as a protection

October 18, 1937

Jim is on a trip to Hong Kong. Was offered a free ride the other day on a plane chartered by the Chinese minister of

December 13, 1937

We had considerable excitement recently due to forced landings by three of our airplanes while they were returning from a southern island trip. On eastern

November 10, 1938

Arrived in Manila from the States on Nov. 5, and found a vastly different situation, so far as it affects me and my work, than

November 15, 1938

As a result of my inspection of American Armament Equipment, and of the information we’ve received from the U.S. Ord (Ord. mortars & amm.) will

December 12, 1938

I’ve played bridge recently with Pres. Q: once for a weekend on the Casiana; once for an afternoon at Malacañan. He’s a peach of a

January 10, 1939

Recently I gave a luncheon for 40 people at the Manila Hotel in honor of Gen. Santos, retiring Chief of Staff, and of Gen. Valdes,

January 18, 1939

Major De Lalande, representative of Brant Co. (Paris) made another visit to Manila. He’s frightened we are going to buy a small amount of mortar

January 21, 1939

I’ve been discussing lately, with Mamie, exactly what to do in the way of asking for a definite terminating date for my tour. When we

March 9, 1939

Last week the 1st Boeing clipper arrived in Manila, on the same day that the first unit of Mosquito fleet, a 55-foot Thornycroft motor torpedo

March 18, 1939

A situation has arisen that looks desperately serious for the prospects of ultimate success in the MacA. defense plan. Our annual mobilization (for training purposes

April 5, 1939

Several days ago the President called me personally to the phone, about 6:30 P.M., asking me to come immediately to Malacañan. This was on the

April 17, 1939

Secretary Vargas has called me on the phone several times to ask about particular subjects and each time has told me he has been instructed

July 16, 1939

Have brought home a typewriter with the idea of using it hereafter in letter writing and in making these notes. Dictation to Filipino stenographers is

July 20, 1939

I took my exams, early this month for “private airplane pilot,” under both the American & Philippine Bureaus. Passed successfully. So now I’m a a

September 3, 1939

This evening we have been listening to broadcasts of Chamberlain’s speech stating that Great Britain was at war with Germany. After months and months of

November 15, 1939

The typewriter is too intricate for me. The date of our going has been definitely fixed as Dec. 13, sailing on the SS Pres. Cleveland. Our

December 14, 1939

We sailed yesterday on the S.S. Cleveland, via Hong Kong-Shanghai-Kobe-Yokohama-Honolulu-San Francisco. In Shanghai we are doing some shopping, principally with respect to fur coats, of

Thursday, January 1, 1942

January 1, 1942

I arrived in Washington on December 14, 1941. Telephone call from office of Chief of Staff. I’ve been insisting Far East is critical, and no

Friday, January 2, 1942

January 2, 1942

Unity of command in ABDA area seems assured. Good start, but what an effort! Talk – talk – talk!

Saturday, January 3, 1942

January 3, 1942

Becoming increasingly evident that something must be done in China. War effort lagging there; and China shows sipns of being willing to quit. Apparently the

Sunday, January 4, 1942

January 4, 1942

Tempers are short! There are lots of amateur strategists on the job – and prima donnas everywhere. I’d give anything to be back in the

Monday, January 5, 1942

January 5, 1942

Ham is to go to a division soon as assistant! Then later he gets a division to command. This W.D. is cockeyed! Ham is one

Tuesday, January 6, 1942

January 6, 1942

Chief of Staff out of town one day. Would be a relief except that we’ve so much work we can’t catch up anyway. So we’ll

Wednesday, January 7, 1942

January 7, 1942

Have been attempting to arrange better effort for China. Chief of Staff wanted to send Drum to organize air effort – Burma Road – etc.