Dwight Eisenhower Remembers the Miracle of Normandy: A Letter

Years after his presidency and his most important role of leading Operation Overlord on D-Day in 1944, Dwight Eisenhower was still in awe of the effect the Normandy landing had on shortening World War II.

In a remarkable letter typed 20 years after the invasion of Nazi-controlled France, the former five-star Army general and president revealed the “gnawing anxieties” he felt 80 years ago today as allied troops began the impactful battle of the war in Europe.

Written from his home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to his British intelligence chief, retired Maj. Gen. Kenneth W.D. Strong, Eisenhower said, “On this sixth of June I suspect that your memory goes back, as mine does, to live over again the gnawing anxieties, the realization of unavoidable sacrifices, and the bright hopes that filled us on D-Day, 1944.”

In the “Dear Ken” letter, he added, “Never, during the two decades that have since passed, have I ceased to render daily and devout thanks to a kindly Providence for permitting us to achieve in eleven months the complete victory that so many believed would require years.”

The letter, which appears to have been written yesterday, is part of an online auction from Maryland-based Alexander Historical Auctions.

Auction house President Bill Panagopulos, who shared the letter with Secrets, said, “After sixty years, Ike’s words are still as stirring as the day he wrote them.”

Strong was sought out by Eisenhower who, Panagopulos said, went over the British military brass and directly to former Prime Minister Winston Churchill to recruit.

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In the letter to Strong, Eisenhower said, “To you, one of my close associates In OVERLORD, I impelled to send, once more, a special word of thanks. Your professional skill and selfless dedication to the cause in which we all served will be noted by the histories of those dramatic months, but no historian could possibly be aware of the depth of my obligation to you.”

Today at the 80th anniversary of D-Day world leaders have gathered in Normandy, France, to make similar comments to the few troops still alive and still celebrating their victory over Adolf Hitler.