Douglas MacArthur

Douglas MacArthur. When most people hear this name they think nothing of him. As it turns out he is one of the most successful generals in the history of America. He fought in both World War One and World War Two. He also fought in the Korean War which makes him even more of a hero. He has earned and received more than a few very prestigious medals in his military career. Douglas MacArthur is a man who truly deserves to be called a hero.

Douglas MacArthur was born on January 26, 1880 at a military base in Arkansas, and since then was destined to be a hero. He attended the Military Academy at West Point and had the highest recorded score being beat by only one man. In 1903 he left West Point to become a second lieutenant in the field of engineering. His missions took him to the Philippines to aid his father, Arthur MacArthur, in the observation of the Russo-Japanese war. After becoming a major, he was assigned to aid in the organization of the 42nd division, which would be deployed to the European front of World War One. He entered France as a colonel and was soon promoted to brigadier general and was assigned to assume command of the 84th infantry brigade. Douglas was decorated for his bravery, and got wounded so he received purple hearts and many rewards for his tactical skills.

After MacArthur's service in Europe he became the superintendent of the military academy. He welcomed many good changes to the academy and everyone appreciated his work. After this he held many accountable positions such as Army Chief Of Staff which is a very good position. During this he wanted to reorganize the army. He piled many unemployed veterans into the city and then demanded Federal bonuses in 1932. The police could not handle them and President Hoover demanded them to be removed from the city. Then MacArthur drove them completely out of the city. After this act many viewed Douglas as a ruthless dictator. He then retired from the United States Army and took up a position as field Marshall of the Philippines army. He did this because he said ”Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.” He wanted to keep fighting.

When the Japanese started a war by bombing Pearl Harbor, MacArthur returned to active duty as the commander of forces in the Far East, setting up his headquarters in the Philippines. The Japanese sadly drove Douglas's team out of the Philippines, forcing him to retreat. His famous quote “I will return” stayed in the people of the Philippines' hearts as the Philippines was like a second home for MacArthur. His platoon said, “He was the bravest man, and could not bear retreating, he is the toughest one of us.” When Douglas returned to America, he was awarded the highest military achievement, The Medal Of Honor. After Japan had surrendered to America, he was named commander of the occupation to Japan, and helped bring the country to affluence and helped reform the war torn country.

During the hot summer of 1950, the Korean War conflict started and MacArthur was placed in South Korea to help fight off the North Koreans. He was placed as the commander of the UN forces. His amazing war strategy skills and the attack on Inchon helped take back South Korea. The South Korean people called him a national war hero and thought he should be worshiped everywhere. Douglas tried to move forward towards the peninsula but Chinese forces had stopped him and forced them to retreat. MacArthur had wanted to implement attacks upon China itself, but, President Truman had not wanted to and had disagreed against Douglas's proposal. Once this disagreement between the two became public, Truman relieved him from command. After coming back to the United States, MacArthur was welcomed a hero and everybody respected his first return to the U.S. in over ten years. One man, interviewed about the removal of Douglas, said, "The removal of General MacArthur was within the constitutional powers of the President but the circumstances were a shock to national pride." His return speech was accompanied by his most famous quote, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” On April 5, 1964, and was buried at a memorial in Norfolk, Virginia

Douglas MacArthur is one of the most committed and memorable officers in the U.S. Army and never gave up. He always fought for America and its allies. I truly believe this and hope that he will be remembered forever. Douglas MacArthur is truly the American Hero.

Douglas MacArthur. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/douglas_macarthur.html

Wikipedia. “Douglas MacArthur.” Wikipediea.org. 2 October 2011 web. 7 October 2011.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur

D. Clayton James. “Douglas MacArthur. Biography.com. 5 October 2011 web. 6 October 2011.http://www.biography.com/people/douglas-macarthur-9390257?page=2