From Ordinary to Extraordinary: George Washington and Dwight D. Eisenhower at War

What makes a leader extraordinary? According to three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Rick Atkinson, the answer may have less to do with being born exceptional and more to do with how a person responds when extraordinary circumstances demand it. Atkinson was the keynote speaker at FWCD’s Captain David R. Herr, Jr. ’80 Memorial Lecture on Monday, September 14. 

Atkinson, the author of The British Are Coming, The Fate of the Day, and the Liberation Trilogy, has spent much of his career writing about war. In writing both books, Atkinson had the opportunity to research the historical figures in depth. Though they led very different armies in very different wars in different time periods, Atkinson sees important similarities in them.

“They’re two ordinary guys who go on to do extraordinary things,” he said.

Washington and Eisenhower were both curious, active and athletic as young men. Neither was an obvious military prodigy or an accomplished battlefield tactician. Instead, Atkinson said, their strengths developed in decision-making, adaptability, communication, and the ability to process large amounts of information calmly.

Neither man appeared destined for greatness as a young person. Washington was an active, curious young man who gained early military experience during the French and Indian War before taking command of the Continental Army in 1775. Washington commanded relatively small forces during an 18th-century war fought with muskets and horses and limited communication. Eisenhower, born in Denison, Texas, grew up in modest circumstances and attended West Point because it offered him a college education. When he assumed his first combat command in North Africa in 1942, he had spent 27 years in uniform—but had never experienced combat. Eisenhower ultimately commanded millions of people as part of a multinational Allied force supported by mechanized warfare, advanced communications and intelligence.

Yet both learned to look beyond individual battles and keep sight of the larger objective. They also understood the importance of the people around them. Atkinson discussed Washington’s ability to recognize talent in leaders such as Nathanael Greene and Henry Knox and Eisenhower’s skill in identifying and developing capable commanders. Both also recognized the importance of allies and relationships in accomplishing a larger mission.

Atkinson also emphasized the personal qualities that helped Washington and Eisenhower lead through difficult circumstances: perseverance, humility, discipline and a willingness to accept responsibility. They understood the importance of projecting confidence even when circumstances were uncertain, what Atkinson described as the “mask of command,” citing author John Keegan. 

The evening also connected Atkinson’s discussion of leadership to the story of FWCD alumnus Captain David “Chip” Herr Jr., whose name is memorialized in FWCD’s Veterans Garden. Atkinson shared that he felt he knew Herr through his own experience covering the Persian Gulf War for The Washington Post. He described Herr, like he described Washington and Eisenhower, as an ordinary person who demonstrated extraordinary commitment to something larger than himself.

Throughout the lecture, Atkinson returned to the idea that extraordinary leadership does not simply happen. Washington and Eisenhower developed their leadership style through experience, responsibility, and the challenges they faced, and both remained focused on the larger purpose of their service. They learned that winning every battle was not the same as winning a war.

About Captain David “Chip” R. Herr, Jr. ’80
David “Chip” R.  Herr, Jr. was born on April 4, 1962, in Oklahoma City. After attending Tanglewood Elementary School, Chip entered FWCD as a fourth grader. Connie Herr, Chip’s mother, taught math in the Middle School from 1984 to 1992. His sister, Sarah “Sally” Hollenbeck, also attended FWCD and was in the Class of 1982. 

While at FWCD, Chip was an excellent student and earned 11 varsity letters in cross country, soccer and baseball. In a Star-Telegram article, his mother said, “Chip was never the best player on the team, in some cases, far from it. I think the example is that whatever talents you have, you should use them to the best of your ability, regardless of how they stack up with anyone else’s gifts.”  A highlight of his baseball career at FWCD was pitching under Coach Bob Minnerly at Ranger Stadium.

At FWCD, Chip enjoyed the reputation as an exceedingly bright and clever student, a great friend and a conscientious classmate.

Following graduation from FWCD in 1980, Chip attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He graduated in 1984 with a degree in geology and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps with orders to Basic School at Quantico, Virginia. Classmate and FWCD alumnus, Parker Schenecker ’80, was commissioned into the Army that same day.

After the Basic Officer Course at Quantico, Captain Herr was ordered to flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, where he earned designation as a naval aviator and pilot of UH-1 helicopters. His first tour of duty was with the Marine Light Air Attack Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. It was from MAG 39 that Captain Herr’s squadron was ordered to Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf in August 1990, the first Marine squadron ordered into theater after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. Captain Herr’s helicopter malfunctioned and crashed in eastern Saudi Arabia near the Iraq border on February 3, 1991, during a noncombat mission. He was buried with full military honors at Greenwood Cemetery in Fort Worth. 

About the Lecture
Established in 2010, the Captain David R. Herr, Jr. ’80 Memorial Lecture honors the life and heroism of FWCD alumnus Chip Herr ’80. Captain Herr was killed on February 3, 1991, when his helicopter malfunctioned and crashed during a noncombat mission in eastern Saudi Arabia. He is the only FWCD graduate to have died in service to his country. Each year, the lecture brings an accomplished speaker to campus to share perspectives on scholarship, service and leadership with the FWCD community.