Historical Figure
Douglas MacArthur
1880–1964
American general (1880–1964)
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Biography
Douglas MacArthur was an American general who served as a top commander during World War II and the Korean War, achieving the rank of General of the Army. He served with distinction in World War I; as chief of staff of the United States Army from 1930 to 1935; as Supreme Commander, Southwest Pacific Area, from 1942 to 1945; as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers overseeing the occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1951; and as head of the United Nations Command in the Korean War from 1950 to 1951. MacArthur was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times, and awarded it for his WWII service in the Philippines. He is one of only five people to hold the rank of General of the Army, and the only person to hold the rank of Field Marshal in the Philippine Army.
Timeline
The story of Douglas MacArthur, told in moments.
Born at the Little Rock Barracks in Arkansas. His father, Arthur MacArthur Jr., is a Medal of Honor recipient. Douglas graduates first in his class at West Point in 1903 with a 98.14 average, one of the highest in the academy's history.
Led the 42nd "Rainbow" Division in France. Promoted from major to colonel rapidly. Refused to wear a gas mask or carry a weapon. He was gassed twice and wounded twice.
Commands the 42nd "Rainbow" Division on the Western Front in World War I. Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross twice and the Silver Star seven times. Leads from the front, refusing to carry a gas mask or wear a helmet.
Escaped the Philippines by PT boat as the Japanese closed in, leaving behind 76,000 troops who surrendered at Bataan. "I shall return," he said. He meant it.
Ordered by Roosevelt to leave the Philippines as Japanese forces close in. Escapes Corregidor by PT boat, then flies to Australia. At Terowie, South Australia, he delivers the line: "I came through, and I shall return."
Accepted Japan's formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. He then governed occupied Japan for six years, overseeing a new constitution, land reform, and women's suffrage.
Died at Walter Reed Hospital at 84.
Dies at Walter Reed Army Hospital at 84. He receives a state funeral. Buried in the rotunda of the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia, wearing no medals on his uniform, per his request.
Show full timeline (12 entries)
Accepts Japan's formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. As Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, he oversees the occupation and rebuilding of Japan. He drafts a new constitution, gives women the right to vote, and breaks up the zaibatsu industrial monopolies.
Lands 75,000 troops at Inchon during the Korean War, a flanking maneuver deemed impossible by most of his staff. It works. Seoul is recaptured within two weeks. Then he pushes north toward China, and everything unravels.
President Truman fired him for insubordination during the Korean War. MacArthur had publicly pushed to bomb China. He addressed Congress and said, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."
Truman fires him for insubordination after MacArthur publicly advocates bombing China. He returns to the U.S. to a hero's welcome and addresses Congress: "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away." He fades.
In Their Own Words (20)
I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any potential threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within which, opposed to all of our great traditions, have gravely weakened the structure and tone of our American way of life.
Austin, Texas (13 June 1951); as published in General MacArthur Speeches and Reports 1908-1964, ed. Edward T. Imparato, Turner Publishing Company (2000), p.175, 2000
As I was leaving the hotel this morning, a doorman asked me, "Where are you headed, General?" and when I replied, "West Point," he remarked, "Beautiful place. Have you ever been there before?"
p. 423, 1964
The President's party arrived in three planes with thirty-five reporters and photographers. As I shook hands with Mr. Truman, he remarked, "I've been a long time meeting you, General." I replied, "I hope it won't be so long next time." But there was never to be a next time.
p. 361, 1964
In the last fifteen days of the war, my Fifth and Seventh Air Forces flew 6,732 sorties against Kyushu alone. Thus, with a deafening roar of blasting bombs, Kenney's Far East air forces culminated their blows against Japan. During the last seven and a half months of the war, their planes destroyed 2,846,932 tons of shipping and 1,375 enemy aircraft, dropped 100,000 tons of bombs, and flew over 150,00 sorties.
p. 265, 1964
The object and practice of liberty lies in the limitation of governmental power. Through the ages the constantly expanding grasp of government has been liberty's greatest threat.
p. 417, 1964
Artifacts (15)
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