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2024-04-13 23:26:08

Douglas MacArthur

American military leader and General of the Army
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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1880-01-26
Birth of Douglas MacArthur

Douglas MacArthur was born in Little Rock, Arkansas.

1889-06
Attends West Point

Douglas MacArthur went to West Point in West Point, New York.

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.

1904-04
Promotion to First Lieutenant

In April 1904, Douglas MacArthur was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant.

1904-10
Contracting Malaria and Dhobi Itch

In October 1904, Douglas MacArthur's tour of duty was cut short when he contracted malaria and dhobi itch during a survey on Bataan.

1905-07
Becoming Chief Engineer of the Division of the Pacific

In July 1905, Douglas MacArthur became the chief engineer of the Division of the Pacific.

1906
Graduation from West Point

Douglas MacArthur graduated first in his class at West Point in 1906, showcasing his exceptional academic and leadership skills. This achievement marked the beginning of his illustrious military career.

1911
Promotion to Captain

In 1911, Douglas MacArthur was promoted to captain.

1912-09-05
Death of Douglas MacArthur's Father

Douglas MacArthur's father passed away on September 5, 1912, which had a significant impact on his life and career.

1914-04-21
Joins Varacruz Expedition

Douglas MacArthur joined the Varacruz Expedition which lasted for 7 months.

1914-07-28
Involvement in WWI

Douglas MacArthur fought in World War I from July 28, 1914, to November 11, 1918.

1915
Participation in Vera Cruz Operation

In 1915, Douglas MacArthur took part in the Vera Cruz operation.

1917-08
Formation of the Rainbow Division

In August 1917, Douglas MacArthur played a key role in the formation of the 42nd ('Rainbow') Division, serving as its chief of staff and skipping the rank of lieutenant colonel to become a colonel.

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).

1918-06-26
MacArthur Promoted to Brigadier General

On 26 June 1918, MacArthur was promoted to brigadier general at the age of thirty-eight, becoming the youngest general in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) based on the recommendation of Menoher.

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.

1918-09-25
MacArthur's Sixth Silver Star

MacArthur received his sixth Silver Star for his participation in a raid on the night of 25–26 September 1918 during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel.

1918-10-14
MacArthur's Wound Chevron

During the Meuse–Argonne offensive on 14 October 1918, MacArthur was gassed for the second time while leading a reconnaissance patrol into no man's land, earning a second Wound Chevron.

1918-11-04
42nd Division's final advance on Sedan

The 42nd Division returned to the line for the last time on the night of 4 November 1918 for the final advance on Sedan, which MacArthur later described as narrowly missing being one of the great tragedies of American history.

1918-11-10
MacArthur appointed commander of the 42nd Division

On 10 November, a day before the armistice with Germany, MacArthur was appointed commander of the 42nd Division, following the recommendation of its outgoing commander, Menoher.

1919-04-25
MacArthur's return to the United States on SS Leviathan

MacArthur traveled on the ocean liner SS Leviathan, which reached New York on 25 April 1919, marking his return to the United States.

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.

1919-06-01
Becomes Superintendent

Douglas MacArthur became a superintendent.

1920
Promotion to Brigadier General in the Regular Army

In 1920, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the Regular Army.

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.

1924-07-07
Mutiny among Philippine Scouts

A mutiny broke out among the Philippine Scouts over grievances concerning pay and allowances. Over 200 were arrested, and there were fears of an insurrection. General MacArthur was able to calm the situation, but his efforts to improve the salaries of Filipino troops were frustrated by financial stringency and racial prejudice.

1925-01-17
Promotion to Major General

At the age of 44, General MacArthur was promoted to major general, becoming the Army's youngest major general at that time.

1929-06-17
Divorce from Louise

While in Manila, Louise obtained a divorce from General MacArthur, ostensibly on the grounds of 'failure to provide'. This event marked the end of their marriage.

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.

1932-07-28
Bonus Army Incident

In 1932, during a clash with the District police, two veterans were shot and killed. President Herbert Hoover ordered General MacArthur to clear the area, leading to the use of tear gas and the only death during the riots.

1934
Defamation Lawsuit Against Journalists

In 1934, General MacArthur sued journalists Drew Pearson and Robert S. Allen for defamation after they criticized his treatment of the Bonus marchers. The journalists settled out of court, with MacArthur paying Pearson $15,000.

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.

1937-04-30
Marriage to Jean Faircloth

On April 30, 1937, MacArthur married Jean Faircloth in a civil ceremony in Manila. Their marriage produced a son, Arthur MacArthur IV, born on February 21, 1938.

1938-02-21
Birth of Arthur MacArthur IV

On February 21, 1938, Douglas MacArthur and Jean Marie Faircloth welcomed their son, Arthur MacArthur IV.

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.

1942-11-06
MacArthur moving GHQ to Port Moresby

MacArthur moved the advanced echelon of GHQ to Port Moresby on 6 November 1942.

1943-01-03
Fall of Buna

After Buna finally fell on 3 January 1943, MacArthur awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to twelve officers for 'precise execution of operations'.

1943-09-04
Landing at Lae

The offensive began with the landing at Lae by the Australian 9th Division on 4 September 1943.

1943-09-16
Fall of Lae

Lae fell on 16 September 1943 after the Australian 7th and 9th Divisions converged on the city.

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.

1945-01-25
MacArthur moves advanced headquarters forward to Hacienda Luisita

On January 25, 1945, General MacArthur moved his advanced headquarters closer to the front lines at Hacienda Luisita in order to oversee the operations more effectively during the invasion of Luzon.

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.

1948-03-09
MacArthur's Bid for Republican Nomination

In 1948, General MacArthur expressed his interest in being the Republican nominee for president, despite not actively campaigning himself. His supporters made efforts to secure the nomination, but his refusal to campaign ultimately led to his defeat in the primaries.

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.

1955
Proposal for MacArthur's promotion to General of the Armies

In 1955, there was a proposal in Congress for MacArthur's promotion to General of the Armies, but the proposal was shelved.

1960-06
Decoration by Japanese government

General MacArthur was decorated by the Japanese government with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers, the highest Japanese order given to a non-head of state. MacArthur expressed deep gratitude for the honor.

1961
MacArthur's visit to the Philippines

In 1961, Douglas MacArthur visited the Philippines to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of Filipino independence. He was decorated by President Carlos P. Garcia with the Philippine Legion of Honor and met with cheering crowds.

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.

1978
Publication of 'American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur, 1880-1964'

In 1978, William Manchester's book 'American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur, 1880-1964' was published, exploring the life and legacy of General Douglas MacArthur.

1987-07-23
Justice Betty Ellerin quoting MacArthur

Justice Betty Ellerin quoted MacArthur in a court decision, mentioning his pride in protecting American freedoms like the freedom to boo the umpire.

1994
Reports of General MacArthur: The Campaigns of MacArthur in the Pacific

A book titled 'Reports of General MacArthur: The Campaigns of MacArthur in the Pacific' was published in 1994 by the Department of the Army, Washington D.C. It provides insights into General MacArthur's campaigns in the Pacific during World War II.

2016
Publication of 'Douglas MacArthur: American Warrior'

The book 'Douglas MacArthur: American Warrior' by Arthur L. Herman was published in 2016, shedding light on the life and military career of General Douglas MacArthur.

2020-12-18
MacArthur’s Pearl Harbor

The event titled 'MacArthur’s Pearl Harbor' took place on December 18, 2020, at the MacArthur Memorial. It is likely a discussion or presentation related to General Douglas MacArthur and his involvement or perspective on the events surrounding Pearl Harbor.

End of the Timeline
Douglas MacArthur

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Douglas MacArthur

American military leader and General of the Army
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