Of major interest is the discovery of an important original oil painting by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The exact location of this major artifact, having World War 11 significance, is at long last being shared with all that care about the sacrifice born by our ancestors, for which we reap benefits to this very day today - Freedom. The future President of The United States completed this artistic rendering some 62 years ago.
IMPORTANT OIL PAINTING BY GENERAL DWIGHT EISENHOWER OF - TELEGRAPH COTTAGE - IKE'S EUROPEAN THEATRE WORLD WAR 11 HEADQUARTERS
This important oil painting (approximately 14" X 18") was accomplished by Dwight Eisenhower a few years after the ending of World War II. The General presented this important artistic effort to his longtime Valet, Sgt. John Moaney. Not surprisingly, General Eisenhower made a conscious effort to depict, via an Original Oil rendition, his own personally chosen World War II Headquarters – "Telegraph Cottage" – located just 15 miles South of London, England.
IKE'S AVID INTEREST FOR RELAXATION WAS OIL PAINTING - THE GENERAL DID THIS OVER A PERIOD OF MANY YEARS - IN EUROPE, AS PRESIDENT AND IN RETIREMENT
"Telegraph Cottage" was the Official location that Eisenhower selected to both live and work as he Commanded the European Theater throughout World War II. This effort culminated in the Surrender by Germany on May 7,1945. Coincidentally The German's Surrendered on the Birthday of The Commander in Chief - Harry S Truman.
Ike presented this Important Historical Oil Painting to his long-time Valet Sgt. Moaney. The General not only signed the front, "DE" but also writing, in part, on the verso of the painting, "For Sgt. Moaney - I helped plan both Torch 1942, (the Invasion of North Africa) and Overlord 1945 (D-Day) - Telegraph Cottage - 15 miles South of London- DDE".
THE PRESIDENT GRILLING T-BONE STEAKS WITH HIS FRIEND AND VALET SGT. JOHN MOANEY - MOANEY WAS WITH IKE DAILY FROM 1942 - 1969
Years later Eisenhower authored a book entitled "At Ease - Stories I like to tell Friends"; and in that Book The General described 'Sgt. John Moaney - a man indispensible to me throughout my life'. And later, Ike also remembered Moaney by remembering him in his Will. Sgt. Moaney had first met The General in early 1942 in England. He was chosen by Ike to serve as his personal Valet. They both lived together within "Telegraph Cottage" thoughout World War 11. Moaney was with Ike daily from 1942 until The President's Death in 1969; and Moaney was loyally present at Walter Reed Hospital when the Great General breathed his very last.
NOTE THE AFFECTIONATE INSCRIPTION TO BOTH SGT. MOANEY AND DELORES MOANEY FROM THE EISENHOWER'S WHILE THE FOUR WERE AT GETTYSBURG TOGETHER
Sgt. Moaney married Delores Moaney about 1945. Delores was The Eisenhower Family Cook for many years...serving at both The White House and for many years later at Gettysburg Farm. In fact both Sgt. John Moaney and Delores Moaney lived within their Gettysburg Farm Home - (Eisenhower's choice of permanent retirement) with Mamie Doud Eisenhower, long after The President had passed away.
CLOSE-UP OF EISENHOWER TO MOANEY INSCRIPTION OF PHOTO ON BENCH ILLUSTRATED ABOVE
Over a quarter-century ago the Moaney's graciously presented this important DDE oil painting of "Telegraph Cottage" to The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection - for inclusion into his well-known Collection, also known as The American Heritage Collection.
HISTORIAN & COLLECTOR - RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX 2010