Who was the first U.S. President to be knighted by the British Crown?

In the months leading up to the Allied victory in World War II, King George VI bestowed knighthoods on a number of American Generals who led the campaign against Nazi Germany in both Africa and Europe.

Topping the list was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, 5-star General Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower, who was named a Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross, and just a month after Germany’s surrender, the King presented him with the badge of the Order of Merit. This was the first time any (future)U.S. President has been honored so by the English Monarchy.

Eisenhower(1890-1969) later used his popularity to win two terms as U.S. President from 1953 to 1961. During his term, Ike ended the ineptly UN-waged Korean War, began construction of the Interstate Highway System, and green-lighted the establishment of America’s Space Program.

While an American war hero, Kennedy received no knighthood from the crown. Queen Elizabeth II, daughter of George VI, honorarily knighted Presidents Reagan and Bush(the elder), both after they’d left office.