GEN. EISENHOWER & MOHAWKS

Of all the historic World War Two photographs of Mohawked paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division during the Normandy Invasion on D-Day, June 6, 1944, this photo is probably the most famous of all.

It shows the Supreme Allied Commander, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, wishing them good luck and telling them the the freedom of the Western World depends on their courage and toughness.

If you look closely, you will see that the two paratroopers to the immediate right of Eisenhower's face are Mohawked and have painted their faces in Indian warpaint. Additional Mohawks are hidden by combat helmets or barely visible behind the front row.

You will notice that what Gen. Eisenhower is NOT telling them is that Mohawks aren't allowed by Army haircut regulations. At a time like this, some things are apparently much more important than enforcing haircut regulations. Eisenhower obviously let them keep their Mohawks in return for their courage and sacrifices. And by letting them keep the haircuts, the general virtually guaranteed the ensuing popularity of Mohawks worldwide for the next century. Are you listening, Pentagon?

Next time some uptight, anal-retentive principal tells a young boy his Mohawk is unacceptable, ask him why it's unacceptable if General Eisenhower was perfectly OK with it on some of America's biggest heroes as part of "The Greatest Generation."....as they courageously risked their lives to make the world safe for principals like them. Would they tell those American heroes their haircut was unacceptable?