This is a transcript of two oral history interviews of General Lucius D. Clay.
Clay began the first interview by talking about his military association with Dwight D. Eisenhower and the close friendship between the Clay and Eisenhower families. The interview then moved on to the move to persuade Eisenhower to run for President in 1952, the process of securing the Republican nomination and the subsequent Presidential campaign. Clay also discussed the early development of Eisenhower's political skills during his military career, Clay's governmental experiences, Eisenhower's leadership methods, and Eisenhower's attitude toward technology and research. Clay also discussed the attitude of the troops towards Eisenhower and a number of prominent military and political leaders from World War II.
The second interview began with a description of the events following the 1952 election and the selection of Cabinet and White House staff members, and Clay's contacts with Eisenhower during the turnover period. Additional subjects include the removal of wage and price controls, Eisenhower's perception of the labor movement, Clay's later role as an unofficial advisor to Eisenhower, and the importance of the Eisenhower stag dinners. He also talked about Eisenhower's decision-making process, Eisenhower's attitude toward the scientific community, Eisenhower's philosophy regarding the use of the Cabinet and an evaluation of Eisenhower as an administrator. Regarding his own role in the administration, Clay talked about his chairmanship of the Committee to Develop an Interstate Highway Program and his continuing relationship with Eisenhower.
Individuals mentioned in the interview include Thomas E. Dewey, Henry Cabot Lodge, Herbert Brownell, Douglas MacArthur, Joseph Dodge, John Foster Dulles, Joseph Dodge, Lewis W. Douglas, George M. Humphrey, Charles E. Wilson, Sidney Weinberg, Ezra Taft Benson, Earl Warren, Douglas McKay, Sinclair Weeks, Oveta Culp Hobby, Milton Eisenhower, and Sherman Adams.
An index to personal names appears at the end of the transcript.
