Douglas MacArthur

He led the defense of the Philippines against enemy invasion

Douglas MacArthur was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on 26 January 1880. He graduated first in his West Point class in 1903 and entered the Corps of Engineers. After early service in the Philippines and at Veracruz, he served in France with the 42nd Division during the First World War, first as chief of staff and later as a brigade and division commander. He became West Point superintendent in 1919, served as Army Chief of Staff from 1930 to 1935, and then advised the Philippine government on building its armed forces. He also held the Philippine rank of field marshal.

Douglas MacArthur received the Medal of Honor for leadership in preparing and defending the Philippine Islands during World War II. Commanding United States Army Forces in the Far East, he mobilized and trained forces facing the Japanese invasion and directed operations on the Bataan Peninsula. His citation recognizes personal courage under fire and bombardment, as well as judgment during repeated crises. The award honors command responsibility in a desperate campaign fought against superior enemy strength.

Ordered to Australia in 1942, MacArthur directed Allied operations in the Southwest Pacific. He returned to the Philippines at Leyte in October 1944 and was promoted to General of the Army that December. He presided over Japan’s surrender on 2 September 1945 and led the Allied occupation, overseeing political and economic reforms. His five-star Army rank became permanent in April 1946.

In 1950 he took command of United Nations forces in the Korean War. His operations included the Inchon landing, followed by the advance north and retreat after Chinese intervention. Following public disagreements over war policy, President Harry S. Truman relieved him of command on 11 April 1951.

MacArthur returned to the United States and addressed Congress on 19 April 1951. In later years he advised presidents and wrote his autobiography, Reminiscences. He died at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., on 5 April 1964 and was buried at the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous leadership in preparing the Philippine Islands to resist conquest, for gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against invading Japanese forces, and for the heroic conduct of defensive and offensive operations on the Bataan Peninsula. He mobilized, trained, and led an army which has received world acclaim for its gallant defense against a tremendous superiority of enemy forces in men and arms. His utter disregard of personal danger under heavy fire and aerial bombardment, his calm judgement in each crisis, inspired his troops, galvanized the spirit of resistance of the Filipino people, and confirmed the faith of the American people in their Armed Forces.