The Education and Early Military Career of Douglas MacArthur

Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1880 - April 5, 1964) was a prominent American general who played a significant role in the 20th century, commanding troops in World War II, the Allied occupation of postwar Japan, and the Korean War. MacArthur's early life and education laid the foundation for his distinguished military career.

Early Life and Family Influences

MacArthur was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, the third son of Arthur MacArthur Jr., a future lieutenant general and Medal of Honor recipient, and Mary Pinkney Hardy MacArthur, an ambitious woman who profoundly influenced Douglas. He spent his early years on Army posts in the American Old West, where he learned to ride and shoot.

Education and West Point

In September 1893, MacArthur attended the West Texas Military Academy, where he excelled academically and athletically, earning the gold medal for "scholarship and deportment." He played tennis, football, and baseball and was named valedictorian with a final year average of 97.33 out of 100.

MacArthur entered the United States Military Academy at West Point on June 13, 1899. His mother moved to a suite at Craney's Hotel, overlooking the academy grounds. Hazing was widespread at West Point, and MacArthur was singled out for special attention. In 1901, he testified before a special Congressional committee investigating hazing.

MacArthur was a corporal in Company B in his second year, a first sergeant in Company A in his third year, and First Captain in his final year. He played left field for the baseball team and academically earned 2424.12 merits out of a possible 2470.00 or 98.14%, which was the third-highest score ever recorded. He graduated from West Point in 1903 with the highest honors in his class.

Early Military Service

After graduating from West Point, MacArthur joined the 3rd Engineer Battalion and departed for the Philippines in October 1903. He supervised the construction of a wharf at Camp Jossman and conducted surveys at various locations. In November 1903, he was ambushed by Filipino brigands or guerrillas and killed both. He was promoted to first lieutenant in Manila in April 1904. In October 1904, his tour of duty was cut short when he contracted malaria and dhobi itch during a survey on Bataan. He returned to San Francisco and was assigned to the California Debris Commission.

In October 1905, MacArthur was appointed aide-de-camp to his father in Tokyo, inspecting Japanese military bases and traveling to India and China. In September 1906, he received orders to report to the 2nd Engineer Battalion at the Washington Barracks and enroll in the Engineer School. In August 1907, MacArthur was sent to the engineer district office in Milwaukee. In April 1908, he was posted to Fort Leavenworth, where he was given his first command, Company K, 3rd Engineer Battalion. He became battalion adjutant in 1909 and then engineer officer at Fort Leavenworth in 1910.

MacArthur was promoted to captain in February 1911 and was appointed as head of the Military Engineering Department and the Field Engineer School. He participated in exercises at San Antonio, Texas, with the Maneuver Division in 1911 and served in Panama on detached duty in January and February 1912. Following his father's death in September 1912, MacArthur requested a transfer to Washington, D.C., to care for his mother.

Veracruz Expedition

On April 21, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the occupation of Veracruz. MacArthur joined the headquarters staff sent to the area, arriving on May 1, 1914. He located five engines in Alvarado and was attacked by armed men on the way back to Veracruz. A fellow officer recommended MacArthur be put forward for the Medal of Honor for his actions in the expedition.

World War I

MacArthur returned to the War Department and was promoted to major on December 11, 1915. In June 1916, he was assigned as head of the Bureau of Information at the office of the Secretary of War. Following the declaration of war on Germany on April 6, 1917, MacArthur suggested sending first a division organized from units of different states, so as to avoid the appearance of favoritism toward any particular state. From its formation at Camp Mills, Long Island in August 1917, MacArthur was the division's key sparkplug, prime motivator, and individual most responsible for its creation. The 42nd Division's initial training emphasized open-field combat rather than trench warfare and sailed for the Western Front on October 18, 1917.

The 42nd Division entered the line in the quiet Lunéville sector in February 1918. On February 26, MacArthur accompanied a French trench raid and was decorated with the Croix de Guerre. On March 9, the 42nd Division launched three raids of its own on German trenches in the Salient du Feys. MacArthur accompanied a company of the 168th Infantry and was rewarded with the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). A few days later, MacArthur was gassed. On June 26, MacArthur was promoted to brigadier general, making him the youngest general in the AEF at the time.

Interwar Period

After World War I, MacArthur served as superintendent at West Point from 1919 to 1922, where he initiated a series of reforms. In 1920, he was made a brigadier general in the Regular Army. His next posting was in the Philippines, where in 1924 he was instrumental in quelling the Philippine Scout Mutiny. He then successively commanded the District of Manila, the Fourth and Third Corps Areas, and the Ninth Corps Area. In November 1930, he was promoted to temporary general and served as Army Chief of Staff from November 21, 1930, to October 1, 1935. As Chief of Staff, he highlighted Army deficiencies in strength and materiel, established an Air Force headquarters, and supervised the eviction of the “Bonus Marchers” from Washington, D.C. In 1935, MacArthur was appointed Military Advisor to the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

World War II

Recalled to active duty in July 1941, MacArthur was made commander of U.S. Army Forces in the Far East. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Japanese forces launched air raids on the Philippines. MacArthur's forces withdrew to Bataan, where they held out until April 1942. In March 1942, MacArthur left nearby Corregidor Island and escaped to Australia, where he was appointed Supreme Commander of the Southwest Pacific Area in April. He promised that he would return to the Philippines and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1942 for his defense of the islands. From Australia, he commanded the New Guinea campaign, and in October 1944, he returned to the Philippines and led the campaign which liberated the islands. At the end of the war, MacArthur accepted the surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945.

Post-War Japan and Korean War

As the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and effective ruler of Japan, MacArthur oversaw the war crimes tribunals and the demilitarization and democratization of the country under its new constitution, introducing women's rights, labor unions, land reform, and civil liberties. When the Korean War began in 1950, MacArthur was selected to command United Nations forces there. After stemming the North Korean advance near Pusan, he carried out a daring landing at Inch'ŏn in September and advanced into North Korea in October. In November, however, massive Chinese forces attacked MacArthur's divided army and forced it to retreat to below Seoul. On April 11, 1951, President Harry S. Truman relieved MacArthur of his commands because of the general's insubordination and unwillingness to conduct a limited war.

Final Years

MacArthur retired from the military in 1951, ending 52 years of service. He accepted the board chairmanship of the Remington Rand Corporation in 1952 and lived in seclusion in New York City. He died in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 1964, and was buried at Norfolk, Virginia.

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