Douglas MacArthur

Douglas MacArthur was born on January 26, 1880 in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. He was married to Jean MacArthur and Henrietta Louise Cromwell Brooks.

Graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. on June 11, 1903 and later returned to head the school (1919-22) before returning to his military career.

Around late 1930, he began to refer to himself exclusively by his last name, even conversationally.

Accepted the surrender of the Japanese aboard the USS Missouri on 2 September 1945. MacArthur directed the occupation of Japan from 1945-1950, instituting such reforms as female suffrage, freedom of the press, workers' unionization rights, and ownership of land for peasants.

Relieved as Supreme Allied Commander by US Pres. Harry S. Truman in April 1951 during the Korean War. Fearing nuclear war with the USSR, Truman warned MacArthur against an incursion into Soviet-backed China, even after Chinese troops began pouring across the North Korean side of the 38th parallel. MacArthur publicly criticized that policy. Truman interpreted that as MacArthur challenging longtime US policy of civilian control over the military, and relieved him of command. When he returned home, he was met with massive adulation, epitomized by his famous "Old soldiers never die" address to Congress, which was interrupted by 30 ovations.

Pictured on a 6¢ US commemorative postage stamp issued in his honor, 26 January 1971 (91st anniversary of birth).

He and his father, Arthur MacArthur, are the first father and son to be awarded the Medal of Honor (MacArthur was awarded the medal for his service during World War II. His father was awarded the medal as a private in a Wisconsin regiment during the Battle of Missionary Ridge in Tennessee during the US CIvil War). In 2001 Theodore Roosevelt was posthumously awarded the medal; his son was awarded the medal for his efforts on D-Day.