G7: General Douglas MacArthur - The "American Caesar"
January 27, 2020 · 1:00-3:00 pm
Description: Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) spent his early childhood on western frontier outposts where his Army officer father, Arthur MacArthur (1845-1912), was stationed. This is where the younger MacArthur said he learned to ride and shoot even before he could read or write - indeed, almost before he could walk or talk. Dubbed the "American Caesar" by author, biographer, and historian, William Manchester, General MacArthur had no equal on the battlefield. Over 200 books have been written about this military genius who won more battles than all other US general officers in all the wars since the Revolutionary War. A brilliant strategist, MacArthur was also vain, arrogant, conniving, narcissistic, and had a truly mystical vision of his self - always referring to himself in the third person: "The General will need a ride at 0800." He not only fought in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, but he also served during many smaller engagements, during which he killed 6 enemy soldiers, up close, with the same pistol he carried on his person right up until his death. Able to quote Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln, and Victor Hugo all in one sentence, MacArthur also had a deep disdain of American presidents. He thought of them as desk-bound commandos, calling Dwight D. Eisenhower one of the "best clerks he ever had." His clash with President Truman saw him ultimately removed from his command for insubordination. However when MacArthur returned to the US, he was welcomed as a hero and honored with parades in various cities. Shortly upon his return, he gave a dramatic televised address before a joint session of Congress in which he criticized President Truman. The general concluded with a quote from an old army song: "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."
Purpose: Learn more about this iconic figure of the 20th century
Facilitator: Mike Quinlan |
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