"Part of the American dream is to live long and die young. Only those Americans who are willing to die for their country are fit to live." ~Douglas MacArthur
The Life of Douglas MacArthur
(1880~1964)
Douglas MacArthur was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on January 26, 1880. His mother, Mary, was born in Virginia, and her brothers had fought for the South in the United States Civil War. His father, Arthur, was a captain at the time of Douglas’ birth, decorated for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. In 1893 the MacArthur family moved to San Antonio, Texas, and Douglas attended the West Texas Military Academy, where he excelled and graduated with honors in 1903. In 1937, MacArthur married his second wife, Jean Faircloth in 1937, and gave birth to a son named Arthur.
In 1914, MacArthur was nominated for the Medal of Honor after his reconnaissance mission during the United States' habitation of Veracruz. Three years later, he climbed the ranks from major to colonel, becoming chief of staff of the "Rainbow" Division. After serving as the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he calmed the Philippine Scout Mutiny of 1924. A year following this, he took the seat of the Army's youngest ever major general. In 1945, President Truman appointed MacArthur as supreme Allied commander. MacArthur even ruled Japan from 1945 to 1951, he overlooked political, economic, and also social changes.
His military career led to posts in countries all around the world, including Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, and even France. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt elected MacArthur as his military adviser and sent him to the Philippines to establish a defensive military force. In 1941, he was forced out of the Philippines by the Japanese, but returned in 1944. In 1945, he was given the task of commanding the invasion of Japan, but Japan's surrender made the invasion unnecessary. However, in April 1951 Truman relieved him of his command. The American public welcomed him back as a hero, but Truman continued to be openly critical of his actions. He was also considered as a potential Republican presidential candidate, though nothing ever developed. In 1952, MacArthur met with newly elected President, Dwight Eisenhower, and advised him on how to end the Korean War.
Douglas MacArthur died in Washington, D.C., at age 84 on April 5, 1964. He was honored with a state funeral and was buried in the Douglas MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia. His wife Jean is also buried at the memorial and home to a museum collection documenting his life and military service.
In 1914, MacArthur was nominated for the Medal of Honor after his reconnaissance mission during the United States' habitation of Veracruz. Three years later, he climbed the ranks from major to colonel, becoming chief of staff of the "Rainbow" Division. After serving as the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he calmed the Philippine Scout Mutiny of 1924. A year following this, he took the seat of the Army's youngest ever major general. In 1945, President Truman appointed MacArthur as supreme Allied commander. MacArthur even ruled Japan from 1945 to 1951, he overlooked political, economic, and also social changes.
His military career led to posts in countries all around the world, including Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, and even France. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt elected MacArthur as his military adviser and sent him to the Philippines to establish a defensive military force. In 1941, he was forced out of the Philippines by the Japanese, but returned in 1944. In 1945, he was given the task of commanding the invasion of Japan, but Japan's surrender made the invasion unnecessary. However, in April 1951 Truman relieved him of his command. The American public welcomed him back as a hero, but Truman continued to be openly critical of his actions. He was also considered as a potential Republican presidential candidate, though nothing ever developed. In 1952, MacArthur met with newly elected President, Dwight Eisenhower, and advised him on how to end the Korean War.
Douglas MacArthur died in Washington, D.C., at age 84 on April 5, 1964. He was honored with a state funeral and was buried in the Douglas MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia. His wife Jean is also buried at the memorial and home to a museum collection documenting his life and military service.