14Kay2

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 18:02:53 -0500

The Eisenhower Museum is an old-fashioned hagiographic exercise. Still, it might be asking a lot to assess the role of Kay Summersby in Eisenhower's life and command. She began as his driver in the European theater but ended up riding in back with him as his personal secretary. Recent biographers assume that they had a full blown affair. It is probable that Eisenhower told his mentor, George Marshall, that he intended to divorce Mamie and marry Kay. Marshal told him his career would go up in smoke. The letter, or rumor of it, played a role in early 50's politics. Summersby was air-brushed out of important photos and Eisenhower dropped the relationship at the end of the war.