Robert Hargrove

“In a life time's association with great and good men, he is the one invisible figure to whom I owe an incalculable debt.”

Dwight Eisenhower spent three years in the Panama Canal Zone being mentored by Fox Connor. As in all great mentoring relationships, there was a spirit of reciprocity between them. Ike developed rapidly as an officer and human being, learning how to think strategically about war plans and the importance of building strong relationships with allies. Connor found an enthusiastic student who not only looked up to him but had a profound sense of gratitude for the lessons he was being taught.

Connor continued to support Ike when he was through with this three-year stint in the Canal Zone, championing his rise to success amidst various hurdles. Ike was still out of favor with the Chief of Infantry due to this controversial article on tank warfare. Ike was greatly disappointed when his efforts to attend the advanced course for high-potential army officers at Fort Leavenworth had been denied to him. Instead of being part of an elite group of officers destined to have great opportunities, his career was in limbo.

Then one day, Ike was sent a strange telegram from Connor advising him to make no protest no matter what assignment he was given. He must accept those orders without question. Ike was puzzled when he got orders to transfer from infantry to the Adjutant General’s Chief of Staff’s office. Had he not trusted Connor completely, he would have protested vigorously being transferred from a combat division to the army staff. Yet in due course, the mystery was cleared up. It turned out that there was a vacancy in the Adjutant General Corps for a high-potential officer to attend Leavenworth, and Ike’s name was on the list.

Ike was thrilled, but wrote to Connor that he was somewhat insecure, both because the Chief of Infantry told him his appointment to Leavenworth would “come to nothing” and because he had never served in a command position during WWI. Connor wrote back to Ike saying he completely believed in him and that he didn’t have to worry. “I prepared you for command during your time in Panama by asking you to post orders for the whole camp every day rather than just carrying out the duties of an executive officer.”

As it turned out, while Ike was an average student at West Point, he excelled at Leavenworth both in his strategic thinking and social skills. Ike went on to stand number one in his class, to a great degree because of his training with Connor. Ike was highly appreciative of Connor throughout his life, and as he wrote in latter years, “In a life time’s association with great and good men, he is the one invisible figure to whom I owe an incalculable debt.”

There were several other times in Ike’s career when Connor intervened, both to raise his spirits and manipulate the bureaucracy. One time involved getting Ike to serve on the staff of George C. Marshall, another protégé of Connor’s who had been appointed to the new Joint Chief’s of Staff at the outbreak of WWII. After taking a fast train to Washington and reporting for duty, he was immediately summoned to Marshall’s office.

Marshall told Ike he had some skepticism about his appointment, as he was recommended by a general, and had not really proven his stripes. Then he said to Ike, “I need a battle plan for defending the Philipenes. Ike said, “The only thing I know about that situation now is what I read in the newspapers.” Then Ike paused, “Give me a couple of hours.” In a couple of hours he returned with a battle plan that Marshall, who was considered “almost a genius” in military terms, was highly impressed with. Ike also proved in short order he could execute.

It turns out that, while Marshall wanted to be European Commander, FDR was so enamored of his brilliance that he refused to let him leave Washington. Ike got the job. He wrote Connor when he was stationed in London, “More and more my thoughts turn back to you and to the days when I was able to serve under your leadership and wise counsel. I cannot tell you how much I would appreciate at this moment an opportunity for an hours discussion with you about the problems that constantly beset me.”

The letter then goes on to discuss the Chiefs of Services in various operations. Ike was addressing important matters that had to be solved. Later in August 31, 1942, Ike wrote a second letter. In it he agreed with Connors contention that the greatest problem confronting the Allies was to keep Russian in the war, which would weaken Hitler on the Western Front. Connor advised Ike to launch a cross channel operation vs. focus on landings in North Africa. This led to Ike’s appointment as Supreme Allied Commander and the invasion of Normandy.

To me it is amazing that Fox Connor, “the Man who Made Ike,” was a teacher to not just to Eisenhower, but to George Patton and George Marshall. These three men played the most instrumental role in defeating Hitler and winning WWII. I am struck by Ike’s quote about Connor, “In a life time’s association with great and good men, he is the one invisible figure to whom I owe an incalculable debt.”

The words the strikes me the most about this quotation in which Ike praises Connor and speaks for perhaps thousands of other powerful mentoring relationships is the reference to Connor as the “invisible figure,” in this case one who made history. It was this story that launched me into an exciting new investigation of not just coaching, but mentoring. Stay tuned for more.