RARE General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1951 NATO Matchbook Unused President IKE for Sale

On eBay Now...

RARE General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1951 NATO Matchbook Unused President IKE For Sale

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

RARE General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1951 NATO Matchbook Unused President IKE:
$19.99

Dwight D. Eisenhower’s NATO Matchbook FROM 1951

Here is a nice piece of Eisenhower’s remarkable history that has been forgotten over time.

After WWII and before he was president, Eisenhower was asked again in 1951 to serve his country as the commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces that were defending Western Europe. These forces would be available for a possible Soviet attack during the Cold War.

And along with the job came his own personalized NATO matchbook! On the cover there are five red stars denoting his five star general rank achieved in WWII and below is his name.

On the back of the matchbook is the coat of arms of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe - better known as SHAPE.

This matchbook is in good condition, although it shows some age but does have a complete set of matches, see pictures for details.

In 1952 Eisenhower stepped down from his NATO assignment to run for president. So these matchbooks were only available for a short time, and they don’t seem to come up for sale very often.

It would make a nice piece to add to any collection.

EISENHOWER’S TIME AT NATO & THE COAT OF ARMS

In 1951, General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower was made commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces that were defending Western Europe from possible Soviet attack during the Cold War. The success of NATO depended on good working relations between twelve different countries. Once again, Eisenhower’s skill in leading a military alliance placed him in a position of great responsibility.

On 5th October 1951, General Eisenhower authorised military and civilian personnel assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) to wear a new insignia. At the same time an official SHAPE flag bearing the new insignia and motto was raised on the Headquarters building to join the flags of the NATO countries flying in the main forecourt.

The Coat of Arms or insignia, on the matchbook, was made into a patch and was worn by US forces assigned to NATO Headquarters, Brussells, Belgium.

The two swords pointing skyward meet at their points to form the letter "A", which represents the strength of the Allied forces. The original twelve nations that formed the NATO alliance are represented by the silver rays emanating from the swords. The olive branches at the bottom symbolize peace. The green background suggests the green fields and woods of Europe. The Latin inscription, "Vigilia Pretium Libertatis"means "Vigilance is the price of liberty."

Eisenhower stepped down from the NATO assignment to run for President of the United States in 1952. He resigned his army commission to do so. However, after serving two terms in the White House, Eisenhower was reinstated as General of the Army by a Special Act of Congress signed by President John F. Kennedy. After January 20, 1961, Eisenhower preferred to be addressed as General Eisenhower rather than President.