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Douglas MacArthur

American military leader and General of the Army

Douglas MacArthur served in World War I, was Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and played a key role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the Philippines campaign. MacArthur also led the United Nations Command in the Korean War before being removed from command in 1951.

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Related

Harold MacmillanDwight D. EisenhowerChester A. ArthurHarry S. TrumanHirohitoKorean WarFrederick DouglassTheodore RooseveltFerdinand MarcosChinese Civil War

Timeline

1880-01-26
Birth of Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur was born in Little Rock, Arkansas.
1899
Douglas MacArthur attends U.S. Military Academy at West Point
In 1899, Douglas MacArthur began his studies at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. This marked the start of his formal military education and training.
1903-06-11
Graduation from U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Douglas MacArthur graduated first in his class from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on June 11, 1903. This marked the beginning of his military career and set the stage for his future accomplishments.
1914-07-28
Involvement in WWI
Douglas MacArthur fought in World War I from July 28, 1914, to November 11, 1918.
1918-03-09
MacArthur's Distinguished Service Cross
On 9 March 1918, during the 42nd Division's raids on German trenches in the Salient du Feys, MacArthur's leadership was recognized with the award of the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).
1918-06-29
Promotion to Brigadier General
On June 29, 1918, Douglas MacArthur was promoted to brigadier general, recognizing his leadership and contributions during World War I.
1918-07-29
MacArthur's Third Silver Star
During the Allied counter-offensive following the Champagne-Marne offensive, MacArthur was awarded his third Silver Star on 29 July 1918 for his actions with the 42nd Division.
1918-08-02
MacArthur Takes Command of 84th Infantry Brigade
On 2 August 1918, MacArthur replaced Brigadier General Robert A. Brown as the commander of the 84th Infantry Brigade after reports of the enemy withdrawal. He personally confirmed the withdrawal by venturing into No Man's Land.
1918-09-12
MacArthur's Fifth Silver Star
During the Battle of Saint-Mihiel on 12 September 1918, MacArthur was awarded his fifth Silver Star for his leadership of the 84th Infantry Brigade as the Allied advance proceeded rapidly.
1919-05-12
MacArthur becomes Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy
Shortly after the demobilization of his 84th Brigade, MacArthur became the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on 12 May 1919.
1922-02-14
MacArthur marries Louise Cromwell Brooks
MacArthur married socialite and multi-millionaire heiress Louise Cromwell Brooks at her family's villa in Palm Beach, Florida on 14 February 1922.
1930-11-21
Becomes Superintendent at West Point Military School
On November 21, 1930, the individual assumed the role of Superintendent at West Point military school.
1935-10-01
Resigned as Chief of Staff of the United States Army
Stepped down from the position of Chief of Staff of the United States Army on October 1, 1935. Oversaw the development of plans for industrial mobilization, manpower procurement, and other key military strategies.
1936-08-24
Becomes Chief of Staff of the United States Army
On August 24, 1936, the individual was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
1941-07-26
MacArthur named commander of U.S. Army Forces in the Far East
On July 26, 1941, Roosevelt federalized the Philippine Army, recalled MacArthur to active duty in the U.S. Army as a major general, and named him commander of U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). MacArthur's promotion to lieutenant general and then to general followed shortly after.
1941-12-20
MacArthur promoted to general
On December 20, 1941, MacArthur was promoted to the rank of general. This promotion came during a critical period as the events of World War II were unfolding in the Pacific.
1942-01-01
MacArthur accepts payment from President Quezon
On January 1, 1942, MacArthur accepted $500,000 from President Quezon of the Philippines as payment for his pre-war service. This financial transaction had implications for MacArthur's reputation when it was later revealed to the public.
1942-03-12
MacArthur leaves Corregidor for Australia
On the night of 12 March 1942, MacArthur and a group including his family and staff left Corregidor in PT boats, traveled to Del Monte Airfield on Mindanao, and flew to Australia. This marked the beginning of his relocation as ordered by President Roosevelt.
1942-03-17
Becomes Field Marshal of the Philippines
On March 17, 1942, the individual was designated as the Field Marshal of the Philippines.
1942-03-21
MacArthur arrives in Melbourne
General MacArthur arrived in Melbourne by train on 21 March 1942. His famous speech, 'I came through and I shall return', was first made at Terowie railway station in South Australia on 20 March.
1944-10-20
MacArthur's forces invade Leyte Island
On October 20, 1944, General Douglas MacArthur's forces launched an invasion on Leyte Island in the Philippines, marking a significant turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II.
1944-12-18
Promotion to General of the Army
General MacArthur was promoted to the new five-star rank of General of the Army, becoming one of the only five men to achieve this rank since the late 19th century. The rank was made permanent in 1946, recognizing MacArthur's significant role in World War II.
1945-01-09
MacArthur lands in Luzon
On January 9, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur landed in Luzon, Philippines, as part of the Allied forces' campaign to liberate the islands from Japanese occupation.
1945-02-03
1st Cavalry Division reaches northern outskirts of Manila
On February 3, 1945, the 1st Cavalry Division under General MacArthur's command reached the northern outskirts of Manila as part of the campaign to capture the port city and the airbase at Clark Field.
1945-08-15
MacArthur named supreme commander for the Allied powers
After the atomic bomb brought an end to the war, General MacArthur was appointed as the supreme commander for the Allied powers on August 15, 1945. He played a crucial role in accepting the surrender of Japan aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945.
1945-08-29
MacArthur ordered to exercise authority through Japanese government machinery
On August 29, 1945, General MacArthur was ordered to exercise authority through the Japanese government machinery, including Emperor Hirohito, as part of the occupation of Japan after World War II.
1945-09-02
Japanese Surrender on U.S.S. Missouri
General MacArthur accepted the formal Japanese surrender aboard U.S.S. Missouri, marking the end of World War II.
1946-03-06
Efforts to Protect Emperor from Blame
MacArthur instructed to prove the Emperor's innocence and shift blame to Tojo during the war crimes trials. He aimed to shield the Emperor from accountability and maintain stability in Japan by focusing blame on specific individuals like Tojo.
1946-03-22
Political Convenience in War Crimes Trials
MacArthur's strategy of blaming Tojo and shielding the Emperor from indictment was politically convenient for both sides. By focusing on Tojo as the main culprit, MacArthur aimed to maintain stability and avoid potential backlash from the Japanese population.
1947-05-03
Enactment of the New Japanese Constitution
MacArthur's staff drafted a new constitution for Japan, which renounced war, stripped the Emperor of military authority, instituted a parliamentary system, outlawed belligerency, enfranchised women, and guaranteed fundamental human rights.
1950-06-25
MacArthur appointed commander-in-chief of United Nations forces during Korean War
President Truman appointed General MacArthur as the commander-in-chief of United Nations forces during the Korean War on June 25, 1950, leading to successful counterattacks against North Korean forces.
1950-08-20
MacArthur criticizes administration policy in message to VFW
Despite being in a difficult situation at the Pusan Perimeter, General MacArthur criticized the administration policy in a message to the Veterans of Foreign Wars on August 20. He expressed his confidence in his leadership style by claiming to understand 'oriental psychology' better than anyone else.
1950-09-15
Amphibious Landing at Inchon
On September 15, 1950, General MacArthur, aged 70, led a surprise amphibious landing at Inchon, west of Seoul, despite opposition from high military officers in Washington. The operation was successful, leading to the collapse of North Korean forces and their retreat across the 38th Parallel.
1950-10-08
Ultimatum to Pyongyang
On October 8, 1950, General MacArthur issued an ultimatum to Pyongyang, demanding the North Korean government to surrender immediately and cooperate with the United Nations in establishing a unified, independent, and democratic government of Korea. The ultimatum was ignored by the Stalinist premier of North Korea.
1950-10-15
Harry S. Truman and Douglas MacArthur meeting on Wake Island
US President Harry S. Truman met with General Douglas MacArthur on Wake Island to discuss the progress of the Korean War on October 15, 1950.
1950-11-24
Chinese forces strike U.N. troops
On November 24, 1950, Chinese forces launched a strong offensive against MacArthur's divided U.N. troops, pushing them back across the 38th Parallel within weeks. MacArthur's optimistic plans were shattered as the U.N. forces retreated.
1951-04-10
Dismissal of General MacArthur
President Truman dismissed General MacArthur due to public statements that contradicted the administration's policies.
1951-04-11
MacArthur's Dismissal
General MacArthur was fired for public insubordination by the President on April 11, 1951, despite no evidence of him intending to challenge American constitutional principles.
1951-04-19
Farewell Speech to Congress
General Douglas MacArthur delivered a farewell speech to Congress on April 19, 1951, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The speech lasted for 6 minutes and 7 seconds.
1962-08
MacArthur's advice to President Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis
In August 1962, President John F. Kennedy sought Douglas MacArthur's counsel on dealing with the Soviets and Chinese during the Cuban Missile Crisis. MacArthur advised Kennedy to use a naval blockade as the greatest weapon of war, which Kennedy implemented successfully.
1964-04-05
Death of Douglas MacArthur
On April 5, 1964, Douglas MacArthur passed away at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Despite being a controversial figure, he made significant contributions to American military achievements in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
End of the Timeline
Douglas MacArthur

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