DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
In Little Rock Arkansas, Douglas MacArthur was born on January 26th, 1880. Son of Lieutenant General Arthur MacArthur, who received the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War. When Douglas was thirteen, he and his family moved to San Antonio, Texas. There he attended an Episcopalian school and later on attended the West Texas Military Academy. In June 1899 he joined West Point Military Academy and graduated as valedictorian in 1903.
MacArthur became a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers and served in the Philippines. In 1911, MacArthur ranked as Captain. He served as Officer-in-Charge at the Staff College at Leavenworth in Kansas. His father passed away in 1912.
In 1915, MacArthur was promoted to Major. As the US enter WWI, MacArthur served as Chief of Staff . In June 1918, he was appointed as the youngest to ever be the Brigadier General and Commander of the 84th Infantry Brigade.
Because of his excellent war record MacArthur was promoted in June 1919 as Superintendent of West Point. From 1922- 1925, he served in the Philippines before returning to the United States. He was youngest two star general in the US Army.
In July 1941, MacArthur was recalled into the Army and and was Commanding General of the United States Armed Forces. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in December, he was promoted to full general. He ordered to defend the Philippine islands from invasion. In 1944, MacArthur returned to the Philippines. In December he was promoted to the rank of General of the Army. MacArthur lead a massive invasion to Japan. The Japanese did not surrender and the dropping of the atomic bomb followed afterwards in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. MacArthur who received the Japanese surrender in September 1945.
In 1950, MacArthur was named Commander of all United Nations forces.In April 1951 he was fired by President Truman after disagreeing with his war plans. On April 19th, MacArthur left a farewell letter which said, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away".
On April 5th, 1964 he passed away of liver and kidney failure in 1964 at the age of 84 in Washington. He was buried in his mother's birthplace-Norfolk, Virginia. DC. To date MacArthur and his father remain as one of only two father-son combinations both to have received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
MacArthur became a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers and served in the Philippines. In 1911, MacArthur ranked as Captain. He served as Officer-in-Charge at the Staff College at Leavenworth in Kansas. His father passed away in 1912.
In 1915, MacArthur was promoted to Major. As the US enter WWI, MacArthur served as Chief of Staff . In June 1918, he was appointed as the youngest to ever be the Brigadier General and Commander of the 84th Infantry Brigade.
Because of his excellent war record MacArthur was promoted in June 1919 as Superintendent of West Point. From 1922- 1925, he served in the Philippines before returning to the United States. He was youngest two star general in the US Army.
In July 1941, MacArthur was recalled into the Army and and was Commanding General of the United States Armed Forces. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in December, he was promoted to full general. He ordered to defend the Philippine islands from invasion. In 1944, MacArthur returned to the Philippines. In December he was promoted to the rank of General of the Army. MacArthur lead a massive invasion to Japan. The Japanese did not surrender and the dropping of the atomic bomb followed afterwards in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. MacArthur who received the Japanese surrender in September 1945.
In 1950, MacArthur was named Commander of all United Nations forces.In April 1951 he was fired by President Truman after disagreeing with his war plans. On April 19th, MacArthur left a farewell letter which said, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away".
On April 5th, 1964 he passed away of liver and kidney failure in 1964 at the age of 84 in Washington. He was buried in his mother's birthplace-Norfolk, Virginia. DC. To date MacArthur and his father remain as one of only two father-son combinations both to have received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Implications
After reading many articles about MacArthur, I think he was an amazing leader. He knew what he was doing and was a powerful leader. He did what he believed was right. Truman shouldn't have fired him just because he disagreed with him. MacArthur should have discussed why he disagreed with him privately instead of publicly. MacArthur could have been a lot of help to the Korean War.