Typed draft manuscript of Colonel Russel P. 'Red' Reeder's juvenile biography, "Dwight David Eisenhower: Fighter for Peace," 101 pages, 8.5 x 11, circa 1967, extensively hand-annotated in pencil by Dwight D. Eisenhower, who writes approximately 1,150 words while making substantial notes, corrections, and emendations throughout. Additional notes and corrections in blue ink were made by the author, as he explains in a note written on the first page. Highlights from Eisenhower's commentary:
p. 8: "Our poverty has been over-emphasized. By today's standards of course we were poor - but we were always well fed, well sheltered and adequately clothed. We always gave 'Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets of food' to those we considered as really poor."
p. 12: "My roommate in Beast Barracks was not Hodgson. He and I went to Plebe to camp as tent mates and were, thereafter, room-mates for four years. In Beast I roomed with a fellow named Dykes."
p. 19: "I don't remember the fight; but we were always in some pranks of these kind."
p. 24: "No - In those days 2nd Lts wore nothing on their shoulders. Gold bars came in after W.W.I. started. / Another anachronism! In those days lieutenants were called Mr. by everybody except Enlisted men."
p. 40: "With no Navy we cannot reinforce the Philippines effectively."
p. 41: "Not correct. He first directed me to draw up an outline plan for defeating Germany. This was approved. It was about 2 months later that he told me."
p. 43: "What I said was - I don't mind you calling him a so-in-so. But you called him a 'British so-in-so.' I don't want you on my staff."
p. 56: "In the June Conference, which Roosevelt did not attend, the question to be settled was 'How deeply should we get committed into Italy after capturing Sicily?' Brooke wanted no important land attacks, any where!"
p. 70: regarding Normandy - "It was not this way at all."
Responding to an inquiry from the author on a paperclipped notecard, Eisenhower writes: "Right! DE." Includes four typed letters signed by Eisenhower with his initials, "D. E." and "D. D. E.," coordinating his reading and remarks on the manuscript. In a letter of July 14, 1967, Ike writes: "I was quite happy to examine your manuscript for accuracy. I was glad to undertake the chore, but, of course, it must never be known that I have seen such a document before publication. It would have the implication that I agree with every nice thing you have to say about me. The main outline of the story is accurate but numerous details are in error, most of them because of mistakes in sequence. I am making rough notes of these in pencil on the manuscript itself…Most of these mistakes could probably get by without question, but should any of my old associates or classmates read the book they would question its authenticity." In a letter of July 21st, Ike contributes a brief foreword/endorsement of the book. In overall fine condition. Accompanied by a custom-made quarter leather slipcase and a first printing of the book, inscribed and annotated by Reeder.
The author of the book, Russell P. Reeder (1902-1998), graduated from West Point in 1926. He served under General George Marshall and is responsible for the conception of the Bronze Star Medal. Later in the war, Reeder served with the 12th Infantry Regiment and fought on Utah Beach during D-Day. Five days later, he was struck by a piece of shrapnel in his left ankle, resulting in his leg needing to be amputated. Upon his retirement from military service, Reeder was athletic director at West Point for twenty years until he resigned to pursue a writing career in 1967-this biography of Eisenhower among his literary works.
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