General Douglas MacArthur stands among the most prominent and controversial military figures in American history. His career, spanning both World Wars and the Korean War, was marked by extraordinary tactical genius, political theatre, and a polarising personality that drew both admiration and disdain.
Early brilliance and World War I heroism
Born in 1880 to a military family, MacArthur graduated top of his class at West Point in 1903. He quickly earned a reputation for bravery and innovation during World War I, where he served in France with distinction. Awarded seven Silver Stars and two Distinguished Service Crosses, his front-line leadership set the tone for the rest of his career.
Between the wars: reformer and enforcer
Between the wars, MacArthur served as superintendent of West Point, implementing significant educational reforms. As U.S. Army Chief of Staff during the Great Depression, he clashed with political leaders over military budgets. Perhaps most infamously, he led a brutal dispersal of the Bonus Army — a group of WWI veterans protesting in Washington D.C. in 1932 — deploying cavalry, infantry, and tanks in a public relations disaster that would haunt his legacy.
The Pacific theatre: strategic brilliance and personal ambition
In 1935, MacArthur became military adviser to the Philippines. When war broke out in the Pacific, he was recalled to active duty and tasked with defending the islands. Despite gallant efforts, the Philippines fell to the Japanese. Ordered by President Roosevelt to escape to Australia, he left his troops behind to endure captivity and death in Japanese POW camps. His famous vow — “I shall return” — became a rallying cry.
From Brisbane, where he relocated his HQ, MacArthur coordinated the US and Allied strategy in the Southwest Pacific. He helped form the US Sixth Army and was responsible for integrating not only American but also Australian and Dutch military and merchant forces. His close collaboration with Australian Prime Minister John Curtin proved vital to the Allied war effort.
One of his most effective tactics, dubbed “Hit ’em where they ain’t”, borrowed from baseball — a lifelong passion of MacArthur’s. This approach, relying on manoeuvrability and deception, was famously deployed during the Inchon landings in Korea.
Whether he supported baseball activities at the military bases in Brisbane is unconfirmed, but it would align with his lifelong affinity for the sport.
From Emperor to Exile: Japan and Korea
After Japan’s surrender in 1945, MacArthur served as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in postwar Japan. His governance is widely regarded as enlightened and effective. He presided over the demilitarisation of Japan, the drafting of a democratic constitution, and key social reforms, including land redistribution and women’s suffrage. He treated the Japanese Emperor Hirohito with respect, helping maintain stability.
MacArthur’s success in Japan, however, contrasted with his controversial role in the Korean War. His bold Inchon landing turned the tide of the war, but his later public insubordination — advocating bombing China against President Truman’s explicit orders — led to his dismissal in 1951. Truman, desperate to avoid World War III, declared: “I fired him because he wouldn’t respect the authority of the President.”
Legacy: a study in contrast
To many, MacArthur was a brilliant strategist, a man of vision and resolve who turned the tide in the Pacific and reshaped postwar Japan. To others, he was pompous, insubordinate, and dangerously egotistical, derided even within military circles. He dismissed Eisenhower as “the best clerk I ever had” and was loathed by Truman.
Historians such as Thomas Ricks, in The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today, contrast MacArthur’s theatrical, top-down style with the collaborative and strategic restraint of George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and later Colin Powell.
Final thoughts
MacArthur’s legacy is inseparable from the 20th century’s great conflicts. His flaws were as grand as his accomplishments. Whether as the liberator of the Philippines, architect of modern Japan, or the general who tested the limits of civilian control of the military, he left a legacy both complex and commanding — still debated, still relevant.
Paul BuddeMacArthur: A Complex Commander of the 20th Century
General Douglas MacArthur stands among the most prominent and controversial military figures in American history. His career, spanning both World Wars and the Korean War, was marked by extraordinary tactical genius, political theatre, and a polarising personality that drew both admiration and disdain.
Early brilliance and World War I heroism
Born in 1880 to a military family, MacArthur graduated top of his class at West Point in 1903. He quickly earned a reputation for bravery and innovation during World War I, where he served in France with distinction. Awarded seven Silver Stars and two Distinguished Service Crosses, his front-line leadership set the tone for the rest of his career.
Between the wars: reformer and enforcer
Between the wars, MacArthur served as superintendent of West Point, implementing significant educational reforms. As U.S. Army Chief of Staff during the Great Depression, he clashed with political leaders over military budgets. Perhaps most infamously, he led a brutal dispersal of the Bonus Army — a group of WWI veterans protesting in Washington D.C. in 1932 — deploying cavalry, infantry, and tanks in a public relations disaster that would haunt his legacy. (Wikipedia)
The Pacific theatre: strategic brilliance and personal ambition
In 1935, MacArthur became military adviser to the Philippines. When war broke out in the Pacific, he was recalled to active duty and tasked with defending the islands. Despite gallant efforts, the Philippines fell to the Japanese. Ordered by President Roosevelt to escape to Australia, he left his troops behind to endure captivity and death in Japanese POW camps. His famous vow — “I shall return” — became a rallying cry.
From Brisbane, where he relocated his HQ, MacArthur coordinated the US and Allied strategy in the Southwest Pacific. He helped form the US Sixth Army and was responsible for integrating not only American but also Australian and Dutch military and merchant forces. His close collaboration with Australian Prime Minister John Curtin proved vital to the Allied war effort.
One of his most effective tactics, dubbed “Hit ’em where they ain’t”, borrowed from baseball — a lifelong passion of MacArthur’s. This approach, relying on manoeuvrability and deception, was famously deployed during the Inchon landings in Korea. (Military History Online)
Whether he supported baseball activities at Camp Columbia remains unconfirmed, but it would align with his lifelong affinity for the sport.
From Emperor to Exile: Japan and Korea
After Japan’s surrender in 1945, MacArthur served as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in postwar Japan. His governance is widely regarded as enlightened and effective. He presided over the demilitarisation of Japan, the drafting of a democratic constitution, and key social reforms, including land redistribution and women’s suffrage. He treated the Japanese Emperor Hirohito with respect, helping maintain stability. (U.S. State Dept. Milestones)
MacArthur’s success in Japan, however, contrasted with his controversial role in the Korean War. His bold Inchon landing turned the tide of the war, but his later public insubordination — advocating bombing China against President Truman’s explicit orders — led to his dismissal in 1951. Truman, desperate to avoid World War III, declared: “I fired him because he wouldn’t respect the authority of the President.” (Truman Library)
Legacy: a study in contrast
To many, MacArthur was a brilliant strategist, a man of vision and resolve who turned the tide in the Pacific and reshaped postwar Japan. To others, he was pompous, insubordinate, and dangerously egotistical, derided even within military circles. He dismissed Eisenhower as “the best clerk I ever had” and was loathed by Truman.
Historians such as Thomas Ricks, in The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today, contrast MacArthur’s theatrical, top-down style with the collaborative and strategic restraint of George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and later Colin Powell. (Amazon – The Generals)
Final thoughts
MacArthur’s legacy is inseparable from the 20th century’s great conflicts. His flaws were as grand as his accomplishments. Whether as the liberator of the Philippines, architect of modern Japan, or the general who tested the limits of civilian control of the military, he left a legacy both complex and commanding — still debated, still relevant.
General Douglas MacArthur, renowned for his leadership in significant military campaigns spanning World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, left an indelible mark on American military history. Graduating first in his class from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, MacArthur embarked on a distinguished career characterised by bravery and strategic acumen.
During World War I, MacArthur demonstrated his tactical prowess and courage, earning numerous awards for his service. His career continued to ascend, assuming pivotal roles such as superintendent at West Point and chief of staff of the U.S. Army, navigating challenges such as severe budget cuts during the Great Depression.
In 1935, MacArthur became a military adviser to the Philippines, later playing a crucial role in the defense of the Philippines against Japanese invasion during World War II. Following the disastrous fall of the Philippines, he was ordered to flee to Australia, but he had to leave his troops behind, who had to surrender themselves and ended up in the notorious Japanese POW Camps and of course many died here. He vowed to return, symbolising hope and resilience.
Soon after his arrival in Australia MacArthur moved his HQ from Melbourne to Brisbane and established here Camp Columbia, where he laid the groundwork for the US Sixth Army, a pivotal force in the Pacific theater. Additionally, he oversaw the establishment of the US Seventh Fleet in Brisbane, solidifying American naval presence in the region. His leadership and strategic vision significantly shaped the Allied war effort in the Pacific theater, earning him widespread admiration and influence, particularly through his collaboration with Australian Prime Minister John Curtin.
Furthermore, MacArthur was tasked with overseeing the large Australian military force as well as the small Dutch military force and perhaps more importantly its large merchant fleet stranded in Australia during the war, further solidifying his role as a key figure in coordinating Allied efforts in the Pacific.
Despite controversies and personal contradictions, including his sometimes contentious relationship with American leadership, MacArthur’s legacy remains a testament to his dedication and contributions to American military history. His dynamic leadership during pivotal moments in the 20th century left an enduring impact on the United States and its Allies.
By all Accounts McArthur was an exceptional and humane military governor of Japan after the war.
He was a lifelong baseball fan and used the phrase “Hit em where they aint” which was his signature tactical strategy in the SW theatre.
It would be curious to know if McArthur set up baseball squads at Camp Columbia.
His most famous use of this strategy was the Inchon operation during the Korean War which was incredibly successful but like Patton before him he just wouldn’t shut TF up and openly advocated the use of bombing China against the North while Truman was desperately trying to avoid WWIII.
This “hit em where thay aint” still has some relevance today. In Ukraine with the Kursk Offensive. Its classic Mc Arthur.
As for McArthur… I read this a while back and it is also excellent.
https://www.amazon.com/Generals-American-Military-Command-World/dp/0143124099
The general histroicial view in the US of McArthur, even within the Army …pompous, arrogarant, conceited, insufferable and insubordinate are only a few of the more charitible discriptions. Harry Truman hated his guts and ultimately relieved him of command over his statements in Korea. He described Eisenhower as “The best clerk I ever had.”. Roosevelt insisted that Australia was the key to the campaign in the SW Pacific and refused McArthur’s desire to fight from the Phillipines. It was Roosevelt that ordered McArthur off the islands since it was the universal view of Gen Marshall that the Phillipines were indefensable until the supply lines could be rebuilt.
One of the central points Ricks makes in his book is how the Army basically views George C Marshall as the ultimate model for US Generalship and that style of command resonated with Eisenhower as well as Colin Powell during the Desert Storm campaign.
Of note one of the most dispicable things McArthur ever did was literally lead the US Cavalry and Infantry ..with tanks on horseback into the Mall in DC to break up the Bonus Army after WWI
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army
Sources:
National Museum of the US Army
Australian Dictionary of Biographies.
See also:
The UQ MacArthur Files: World War II letters revealed
Did you know that famed US Army General Douglas MacArthur has a degree from UQ? Having established his headquarters in Brisbane during World War II, MacArthur was awarded a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) in 1945. For the first time, Contact reveals the full correspondence between MacArthur and then-UQ Chancellor Forgan Smith in the lead up to the conferral. When the war came to UQ