John S. D. Eisenhower, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's son and renowned military historian, died at his Maryland home on Saturday. He was 91.

John Eisenhower Dies

Eisenhower’s death was announced by his family, reported The New York Times. He had been the oldest surviving child of a former president of the United States.

“He grew up the son of an American hero, but emerged a great American in his own right — a brave soldier who served in World War II, the Korean War, and ultimately retired with the rank of Brigadier General, an accomplished writer and historian, a talented diplomat,” wrote President Barack Obama in a statement. “His was a big and quintessentially American life —one of patriotism and character, learning and teaching, and a deep and abiding sense of service to his country."

Eisenhower had followed in his father’s military footsteps, serving as an officer in the Army in both World War II and the Korean War. When Ike became the president, Eisenhower joined his father in Washington to become a national security advisor. Following his father’s death in 1969, Eisenhower became an ambassador to Belgium at President Richard M. Nixon’s nomination.

_{John S.D. Eisenhower with Richard Nixon at The White House in 1969}

Eisenhower’s first book, The Bitter Woods, recounted World War II’s Battle of the Bulge. Released in 1969, it quickly became a best-seller. He followed it up with histories on the Mexican-American War and World War I. Eisenhower also published a memoir titled Strictly Personal and aided the former president with his own memoirs – Mandate for Change and Waging Peace.

Eisenhower is survived by his wife Joanne; son David; daughters Anne, Susan and Mary; and eight grandchildren.

– Chelsea Regan

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