Question #fdebb

General Douglas MacArthur rose to the rank of General of the Army (a Five-Star General) over a long and mostly successful military career. Talented, highly intelligent and brave, he nonetheless remains a controversial figure for habits of self-promotion and theatrics.

After graduating from West Point with great distinction, he served in the Philippines and Mexico. In the First World War he commanded an American brigade and won several medals for courage and leadership. After the war he rose to become Chief of Staff of the Army (at 50 -- a young age) but was best known for the suppression of a major protest march in Washington in 1932. Fond of the Philippines, he was sent there in 1935 to build their army, and did not return to the US for 16 years.

He was still in command in the Philippines when Japan attacked in December 1941. America had not prepared for the war, and MacArthur's forces were defeated -- despite an epic resistance. MacArthur was ordered by the President to leave for Australia before the end came.

As Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific, MacArthur was responsible for the war in the Solomons and New Guinea and the liberation of the Philippines. His generalship in these campaigns was superb, yielding impressive results for casualties. He accepted the surrender of Japan in 1945 and governed there until 1951, essentially reshaping Japan into its post-war form.

With the start of the Korean War, he commanded UN forces and restored the situation; but with the entry of China into the war, he clashed with President Truman over the strategic limitations of the war. He was dismissed from command and returned home.