Eisenhower Letters Hint at Affair With Aide

New York Times ^ | June 06, 1991 | By JOHN KIFNER

[Trapper6012]

A previously unknown collection of wartime letters from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower to his driver, Capt. Kay Summersby, appears likely to stir renewed debate over whether the two were lovers during the last year of World War II.

Both General Eisenhower, who was married, and Captain Summersby initially denied the long-rumored romance. But in 1976, as she was dying of cancer, Miss Summersby published a second book of memoirs of the war years, "Past Forgetting: My Love Affair With Dwight D. Eisenhower," in which she described a passionate but frustrating affair with the Supreme Allied Commander.

[Trapper6012]

The youth or non military historian among us may not have a clue about General Eisenhower's affair. General Eisenhower remains one of the greater commanders and leaders in American history. I feel pretty certain that history will treat General Petraeus in a good light.

The timing is rather shady. I don't thing there was an equal love affair between Obama and General Petraeus. whether this was held back until after the election, maybe we will learn. It certainly allows the General the chance to let chips fly, if they are in fact there over Benghazi.

[Vaquero]

did he embrace “the Sword of Damocles” zer0bama held over his head, so he could speak his mind at any inquiry or trial about Benghazi?

[pepperdog]

Talk about shady, so far Admiral Gaouette, General Ham and now General Petraeus have been removed from the Benghazi loop...perhaps the Dems fear another Watergate. Or perhaps something much, much worse.

[TigerClaws]

I had a relative that was around Ike all during WW2. The affair happened. My relative didn’t respect him because of it.

Agee though. Great commander!

[SunkenCiv]

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[ken5050]

During WW II, Ike could have dressed in women's clothes, and walked down Picadilly Circus trying to pick up sailors, and it would not be reported. We had near complete military censorship then, in wartime...just before D-Day, during a training exercise, over 800 troops were killed, and the casualties were supressed for months..so Ike was protected 100% whatever he did.

Today, it's a totally different story..troops have email, phones..Skype..it is impossible for a GENERAL to have an affair, especially in a combat zone, without multiple people knowing about it..and Petraeus had to know that...did one let the secret out..perhaps inadvertently..?

FYI..one report says that the FBI tripped onto Braodwell when she was trying to access Petraeus' confidential emails..which is a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

BTW..she is a serving officer, a reserve Major..so, in this era of sexual equality in the military, she should be booted out...

[freekitty]

This is one old story. It’s brought back on occasion.

[Pikachu_Dad]

Saturday night massacre.

[SunkenCiv]

During WW II, Ike could have dressed in women's clothes, and walked down Picadilly Circus trying to pick up sailors, and it would not be reported.

Well, he was in London...

[CondorFlight]

“she was trying to access Petraeus’ confidential emails”

No emails are confidential. I imagine they were also read in China, Russia, and maybe even Iran.

I hope our military know that...

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I mentioned this in another thread on the Petreaus resignation. I don’t remember Ike resigning over it.

[First_Salute]

Add one more ...

November 8, 2012 (Thursday) *Stars and Stripes* article by Matt Millham:

Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, the now-former commander of U.S. Army Europe, quietly departed Germany last week and retired days later at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. “Lt. Gen. Hertling’s decision to retire was a matter of personal choice... "The command didn’t alert the press to, nor issue a news release on its website, where Hertling’s official biography now says he “was” USAREUR commander from March 25, 2011, through Sunday.

Hertling leaves USAREUR without fanfare, retires

[Ole Okie]

I don’t remember Ike resigning over it.

It was rumored during and after the war, was never confirmed by Ike, but Kay Sommersby wrote about it after Ike died.

Frankly, if this was reported to FDR, he probably treated it about like Lincoln treated Grant's drinking: get the other generals some of what Grant's drinking.

[Jaxter]

I found it rather interesting last on Fox News that 2 guests on Greta’s show, Rudy Giuliani and I can’t remember the other one, both had to go back to WW2 and smear Ike. Apparently forgetting all about Bill Clinton and the Kennedy’s.

[Vermont Lt]

Men and Women, far from home, under incredible stress have affairs? Color me surprised.

This is really no different than strangers “hooking up” in the Tube at night during the Blitz.

It is human nature. Not a part of human nature that we like to talk about, but it happens.

[Roccus]

During WW II, Ike could have dressed in women's clothes, and walked down Picadilly Circus trying to pick up sailors, and it would not be reported.

Of course not...Ike was a Democrat.

[Robert Lomax]

Well, there you go! I guess this makes it all fine and dandy! Ike did it too! Why didn’t Clinton think of this? Blame the ghost of Ike!

[Taffini]

bump

[fourmation599]

Wrong. Ike was GOP. Nixon was his Veep.

[Taffini]

bump