General Douglas MacArthur
U.S. Army General of the Army & Field Marshal of the Philippine Army

Background
Douglas MacArthur was born on January 26, 1880 in Little Rock, AR. He joined the U.S. Army in Ashland, WI. He graduated from U.S. Military Academy at West Point class of 1903.

Prewar
Between 1935-1941 MacArthur lived at the Manila Hotel in the penthouse dubbed the "MacArthur Suite".

Wartime History
On December 26, 1941 MacArthur declares Manila an "open city" in the hopes of saving the Pearl of the Orient and prevent needless civilian casualties.

On January 10, 1942 at dawn MacArthur and chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland plus their senior staff travel by PT Boat from Corregidor Island to Mariveles on the Bataan Peninsula makes an eight-hour inspection of troops,. Next, they drove up the East Road to General George E. Parker's headquarters where they talked with II Corps officers and inspected positions in that sector. Moving west across the Pilar-Bagac road MacArthur met General Jonathan M. Wainwright and inspected I Corps installations. When Wainwright offered to show MacArthur their 155mm howitzers, MacArthur replied, "I don't want to see them. I want to hear them." That same day, a Japanese aircraft dropped a message behind U.S. lines that demanded their surrender. This eight hour inspection was Macarthur's only visit to the area.

On March 11, 1942 at 7:30pm at north dock on Corregidor Island boards PT-41 with Mrs Jean MacArthur, son Arthur MacArthur, Ah Cheu nurse for Arthur, Major General Richard K. Sutherland Chief of Staff, USN Captain Harold G. Ray, Lieutenant Colonel Sidney L. Huff, and Major C. H. Morehouse, Medical Officer. Meanwhile, a launch takes other senior officers to Sisiman Cove where they are embarked aboard PT-35, PT-34 and PT-32. By 9:15pm, the four PT Boats navigate the minefield in Manila Bay then proceed southward. During the night the four PT Boats become separated and PT-32 experiences engine trouble and PT-35 proceeds alone. On March 12, 1942 in the afternoon arrives Tagauayan and refuels refuel using drums of fuel drums strapped to the deck. Afterwards, follows the coast of Negros to Silino Island then to Mindanao. On March 13, 1942 in the morning arrive Cagayan on Mindanao then proceed to Del Monte.

On March 16, 1942 four B-17 Flying Fortress flew to Del Monte Airfield on Mindanao and were used to evacuate General Douglas MacArthur, his family and senior staff. At Del Monte Airfield, MacArthur and his family boarded B-17E "San Antonio Rose II" 41-2447 for the evacuation flight southward to Darwin. Afterwards, he was flown aboard B-17E 41-2434 piloted by Major Richard H. Carmichael from Darwin southward where he boarded a train.

On March 20, 1942 at Terowie Railroad Station in South Australia, MacArthur was interviewed by two reporters reporters from The Advertiser (Adelaide). During the interview he gave the remarks: "The President of the United States ordered me to break through the Japanese lines and proceed from Corregidor to Australia for the purpose, as I understand it, of organizing an American offensive against Japan, the primary purpose of which is the relief of the Philippines. I came through and I shall." The next morning, the Adelaide Advertiser printed the interview with the headline "I Shall Return" that became MacArthur's rally and used it repeatedly in press releases until he returned to liberate the Philippines in 1945. The next morning, the The Advertiser (Adelaide) printed the interview with the headline "I Shall Return" that became MacArthur's rally and used it repeatedly in press releases until he returned to liberate the Philippines in 1945.

Afterwards, General George Marshall decided "to offset any propaganda by the enemy directed at his leaving his command" that MacArthur would earn the Medal of Honor, that he had twice previously been nominated. General Eisenhower injected that that MacArthur had not performed any acts of valor as required by law, but Marshall cited the precedent of the Medal of Honor being bestowed on Charles Lindbergh. Special legislation had been passed to authorize Lindbergh's medal, but while similar legislation was introduced authorizing the medal for MacArthur by Congressmen J. Parnell Thomas and James E. Van Zandt, Marshall felt the recognition "would mean more" if the gallantry criteria were not waived and it should be received from the President and War Department. Marshall ordered General Sutherland to recommend the award, and wrote the citation himself that was made official on April 1, 1942.

The Medal of Honor bestowed on MacArthur was controversial because it was earned for leadership not gallantry. At the time, General Marshal admitted to the Secretary of War, that "there is no specific act of General MacArthur's to justify the award of the Medal of Honor under a literal interpretation of the statutes." Later, in 1945 when the Army's Adjutant General reviewed the decoration they determined that "authority for [MacArthur's] award is questionable under strict interpretation of regulations." Previously, MacArthur was twice nominated for the award and understood that it was for leadership and not gallantry. He expressed the sentiment that "this award was intended not so much for me personally as it is a recognition of the indomitable courage of the gallant army which it was my honor to command". MacArthur became the first father and son to earn the Medal of Honor.

On May 4, 1942 attended the funeral of U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) Brigadier General Harold H. George in South Yarra.

During late 1942, Captain Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker delivered a secret message to General MacArthur after surviving the ditching of B-17D 40-3089 and twenty-two days at sea. The message was from U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to reprimand MacArthur for negative public comments about his administration and disparaging cables sent to General Marshall.

On October 2, 1942 MacArthur was a passenger aboard B-17E 41-2633 on a flight to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby for his first visit to New Guinea.

On October 3, 1942 MacArthur with Australian Army General Blamey, General Herring and General Kenney plus Minister for the Army Mr. F. M. Forde visit the Australian Army at Owers' Corner at the start of the Kokoda Trail. MacArthur told 16th Brigade C.O. Brigadier J. E. Lloyd, "Lloyd, by some act of God, your Brigade has been chosen for this job. The eyes of the Western world are upon you. I have every confidence in you and your men, good luck, don't stop." This was MacArthur's first visit to New Guinea and inspection of the forward lines.

On November 30, 1942 at the Governor General's Residence in Port Moresby on the front veranda, MacArthur gave orders to Lt. General Robert L. Eichelberger for the Buna operation including the candid remark: "Bob…I want you to take Buna, or not come back alive."

On September 5, 1943 MacArthur was a passenger aboard B-17F "Talisman" 41-24537 as one of three bombers on a flight to observe the U.S. Army 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (503rd PIR) paratrooper drop over Nadzab. Aboard two other B-17s were General Kenney and General Richard Sutherland. The flight was dubbed the "Brass Hat's Flight" by General Kenney.

In November 1943 assigned B-17E XC-108 "Bataan" 41-2493 as his personal transport and used for flights between Australia and New Guinea and later the Philippines.

On February 27, 1944 at Milne Bay at 4:18pm MacArthur and U.S. Navy (USN) Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, Commander Seventh Fleet plus their aides embark aboard USS Phoenix (CL-46) and depart with the Task Force 74.2 (TF 74.2) that proceeds to Buna Roads. On February 28, 1944 arrives off the Admiralty Islands. On February 29, 1944 observes the U.S. Navy (USN) bombardment and landing on Los Negros. On March 1, 1944 off New Guinea MacArthur and Kinkaid disembark on PT Boats.

On July 26, 1944 aboard USS Baltimore (CA-68) in Pearl Harbor photographed with President of the United States (POTUS) Franklin D. Roosevelt and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. On July 28, 1944 in Honolulu Roosevelt discusses strategy with MacArthur, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Admiral William D. Leahy. Ultimately, MacArthur prevails upon the President and Nimitz to accord priority to the liberation of the Philippines.

On September 15, 1944 MacArthur and Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey Article observed the U.S. Army 31st Infantry Division amphibious landing on Morotai and soon afterwards and made an inspection.

On October 20, 1944 the U.S. Army 6th Ranger Battalion, X Corps and XXIV Corps began landing on the eastern Leyte and began the American liberation of the Philippines. Observing the landings from aboard USS Nashville, MacArthur was eager to get ashore and departed at 1:00pm on an LCVP landing craft then waded ashore on "Red Beach" at Palo as photographer Major Gaetano Faillace took an iconic picture of him wading ashore and made good on his promise "I shall return". He came ashore with Philippines President Sergio Osmena, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Carlos P. Romulo, and General Sutherland.

On December 12, 1944 MacArthur pinned the Medal of Honor onto Major Richard I. Bong, America's highest scoring ace at Tacloban Airfield on Leyte. During the presentation, MacArthur tossed away his written remarks and said, "Major Richard Ira Bong, who has ruled the air from New Guinea to the Philippines, I now induct you into the society of the bravest of the brave, the wearers of the Congressional Medal of Honor of the United States."

On December 18, 1944 MacArthur was promoted to the newly created five star rank of "General of the Army".

On March 2, 1945 MacArthur arrived on Corregidor to attend a U.S. flag raising ceremony at the flag pole while soldiers from "Rock Force" stood at attention with General MacArthur, General Hall (Commanding Officer "Rock Force) and Lt. Colonel Jones (Commanding Officer, 503rd PIR RCT). After the U.S. flag was raised, Lt. Col Jones stepped forward, saluted and reported to MacArthur: "Sir, I present to you Fortress Corregidor." At the ceremony, MacArthur awarded Jones the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and stated: "I see the old flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist the colors to its peak, and let no enemy ever haul them down."


On May 25, 1945: the Joint Chiefs of Staff approve the directive for Operation Olympic the invasion of Japan scheduled November 1, 1945 with MacArthur designated as Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP).

On August 30, 1945 MacArthur landed with the 11th Airborne Division at Atsugi Airfield, wearing dark sunglasses with a corncob pipe in his mouth and no tie and after landing read a statement then took a passenger vehicle and was driven to the to the Hotel New Grand in Yokohama and stayed in Room 315 for three days.

On September 2, 1945 MacArthur conducted the official surrender ceremony for the Japanese on the deck of USS Missouri BB-63 in Tokyo Bay that ended the Pacific War and World War II. Closing the ceremony, MacArthur stated: "Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world and that God will preserve it always. These proceedings are closed!"



On September 27, 1945 MacArthur meets and is photographed with Emperor Hirohito for the first time at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.


On July 4, 1946 MacArthur attended the Philippine Independence ceremony in Manila.

Memorials
On April 5, 1964 MacArthur passed away at age 84 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The year before, U.S. President John F. Kennedy authorized a state funeral that was confirmed by U.S. President Johnson who ordered MacArthur receive a burial "with all the honor a grateful nation can bestow on a departed hero". On April 7, 1964 a twelve hour open casket viewing was held at the Seventh Regiment Armory (Park Avenue Armory) in New York City. Afterwards, his body was transported aboard a train to Union Station then a funeral procession to the U.S. Capital where he lay in state and was viewed by roughly 150,000 visitors.

Before his death, MacArthur expressed his wishes to be buried in Norfolk, Virginia where his mother was born and parents married. On April 11, 1964 a funeral service was held at St Paul's Episcopal Church then he was laid to rest in the rotunda of The MacArthur Memorial the former Norfolk City Hall.

Around the world, many memorials, plaques and displays are devoted to MacArthur's achievements and legacy.

The The MacArthur Memorial has a museum devoted to MacArthur's life and military career including his father's Civil War service, his military career and postwar life and displays artifacts and possessions.

At Terowie Railroad Station (Terowie Railway Station) is the General Douglas MacArthur Monument with a plaque commemorating his remarks to reporters on March 20, 1942. The plaque reads: "I came out of Bataan and I shall return: This historic message that echoed around the world was given on this spot by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur at his first press interview in Australia, 20. 3. 1942."

The MacArthur Museum Brisbane is located on the eighth floor of the heritage listed A&P Building in Brisbane that he used as a headquarters in Australia. The museum includes the actual office used by General Douglas MacArthur when he directed the Allied Forces from Australia between 1942–1944.

The MacArthur Memorial is located atop GHQ Hill inland from Hollandia (Jayapura).

At the U.S. Military Academy at West Point the MacArthur Barracks is named in his honor with a plaque that reads: "Medal of Honor awarded to Douglas MacArthur General, US Army For Action at Bataan Peninsula, Philippine Islands 1 April 1942 (with Medal of Honor citation) Class of 1903 presented by class of 1939".

Relatives
Arthur MacArthur Jr. (father)
Arthur MacArthur IV (son)

References
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Douglas MacArthur
FindAGrave - Douglas MacArthur (photo, grave photos)
MacArthur (1977)
National Medal of Honor Museum - Douglas MacArthur
National Medal of Honor Museum - Father and Son Medal of Honor Recipients
December 8, 1941 MacArthur's Pearl Harbor (2003) by William Bartsch
U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (M-S) - MacArthur, Douglas via Wayback Machine May 3, 2012

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