eisenhower was born into a family which did not have much money. he joined the united states military academy at west point as a cadet in 1911, and as an officer served in many different places including the panama canal zone, washington, d.c. and the philippines. during world war ii, he was a general. he directed the invasion of morocco and algeria during the north african campaign. he became a 5-star general and was the supreme allied commander for operation overlord (an attack on germany which was one of the most important battles of the war).