WI: President Eisenhower killed in Korea

[Alamo]

In December of 1952, President-elect Eisenhower kept his campaign pledge to visit Korea in order to get a first-hand feel for the situation, and departed for the peninsula. In addition to meetings with top US officers and President Rhee, he visited the frontlines in order to talk with troops and observe conditions there. Historically, the visit went off without a hitch - but what it hadn't? Let's say that Eisenhower is killed while at the front - an unfortunately timed Chinese artillery barrage, a lucky North Korean sniper, the exact cause doesn't matter. But Eisenhower, liberator of Europe, the man who had led US troops to victory against Nazi Germany, is cut down by the Communists before he was to be sworn in as the 34th President.

What would have been the repercussions, both domestic and foreign?

 

[Nofix]

Nixon gets a wave of support at home for a while, Eisenhower is martyred to Lincoln levels and Korea likely will not be negotiated. Nixon might be pressed to sent everything they got (hopefully not the MacArthur solution of 50 nukes in China) and drive the North Korea's out and North Korea back in.

 

[Plumber]

Nixon gets a wave of support at home for a while, Eisenhower is martyred to Lincoln levels and Korea likely will not be negotiated. Nixon might be pressed to sent everything they got (hopefully not the MacArthur solution of 50 nukes in China) and drive the North Korea's out and North Korea back in.

Pretty much. This probably deserves a Vlad Tepes. 1952 Nixon in this situation is not one I would be particularly trusting to avoid a MacArthur solution. Such a thing would be seen the only way to win the war at this point.

 

[wfm]

Nixon gets a wave of support at home for a while, Eisenhower is martyred to Lincoln levels and Korea likely will not be negotiated. Nixon might be pressed to sent everything they got (hopefully not the MacArthur solution of 50 nukes in China) and drive the North Korea's out and North Korea back in.

More likely 1 or 2 nukes and the stated, not implied, threat to use more if no immediate end of the war. And US troops are now stationed at the China-Korea border rather than the 49th.