May 21, 1942: Eisenhower travels to England to advise Gen. George C. Marshall

President Manuel Quezon meets Mamie Eisenhower. Photo from Eisenhower Foundation

On May 21, 1942, General Dwight Eisenhower left the United States for England. His boss, General George C. Marshall, had made a recent trip to England and was very concerned with the organization and the attitudes of the American command in the United Kingdom. General Marshall trusted Eisenhower’s analysis and opinion. Essentially, the chief of staff wanted a second opinion from Eisenhower before he made significant changes in England.

At the time of Eisenhower’s trip to England, he oversaw the War Planning Department for the entire world. His priority since December 14, 1941, was the dire situation in the Philippines and the Far East. The devastation of Pearl Harbor made his job extremely difficult. The fact that the Japanese controlled the sea lanes from Honolulu to Manila also contributed to his challenging difficulties.

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General Eisenhower was the first American officer to propose and develop the Australia strategy. The sea lanes from Honolulu to Australia could be protected from the Imperial Japanese Navy. Eisenhower had all the supplies, troops and equipment destined for the Philippines sent to Australia first.

A logistical pipeline was established between Australia and the Philippines. American submarines were used to resupply the soldiers in Bataan and Corregidor. Unfortunately, all the American logistical efforts were not enough. Eisenhower was devastated when Bataan and Corregidor surrendered to the Japanese in April and May 1942.

During the challenging and chaotic early days of World War II, General Marshall developed a close professional relationship with Eisenhower. Marshall was so impressed with Eisenhower’s abilities and leadership that he selected him over 200 officers who were senior to Eisenhower. Marshall promoted Eisenhower to major general in March 1942 and made him an operational deputy in addition to the head of the War Planning Department.

Eisenhower’s trip to England on May 21, 1942, was very productive. He confirmed General Marshall’s concerns with the American command in England. Upon his return, Eisenhower presented Marshall with a plan of action for England. General Marshall told Eisenhower on June 11, 1942, to study the plan because he would be executing it.

General Eisenhower left the War Department on June 23, 1942, to England. Shortly, he was promoted to a three-star general.  His rapid rise to the upper echelon of the United States Army was truly amazing.

Three days before Eisenhower left for England on June 23, 1942, he met at the War Department with President Manuel Quezon of the Philippines. The Philippine Commonwealth government was exiled in the United States. President Quezon offered Eisenhower a substantial honorarium for his service to the Philippine Commonwealth from October 1935 to December 1939. General Eisenhower declined the money, but he accepted a citation of superior service from President Quezon.

Dennis Edward Flake is the author of three books on Philippine-American history. He is a Public Historian and a park ranger in interpretation for the National Park Service at the Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg, PA. He can be contacted at: flakedennis@gmail.com