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Photo # NH 62439:  General Douglas MacArthur, circa 1943-1944.

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army, (1880-1964)

Douglas MacArthur was born in Arkansas on 26 January 1880, the son of Army Captain Arthur MacArthur. Graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1903, over the next decade and a half he was assigned to Army posts in the U.S., the Philippines and Panama, served at the War Department and participated in the occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico. During First World War combat in France MacArthur commanded the 42nd ("Rainbow") Division with the temporary rank of Brigadier General. Following the war he was Superintendent of the Military Academy and had two tours of duty in the Philippines.

Appointed Chief of Staff of the Army in 1930, with the rank of General, MacArthur remained in that post until 1935. He then went back to the Philipines, charged with creating an army for that soon-to-be independent island nation. General MacArthur retired from the U.S. Army in 1937 and was appointed to the rank of Field Marshall in the Philippine Army. As the threat of war with Japan grew, in July 1941 he was recalled to U.S. service as commander of U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, initially in the rank of Lieutenant General. After Japan began hostilities in December 1941 he was responsible for U.S. and Philippines forces in their unsuccessful fight against the conquering enemy, later receiving the Medal of Honor in recognition of his efforts.

At the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, General MacArthur was evacuated from the Philippines in March 1942. Given command of Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific area, he directed the successful defense of southeastern New Guinea, and beginning later in 1942, the counteroffensive that ultimately swept the Japanese from the region, leading to his return to the Philippines with the October 1944 invasion of Leyte. Promoted to General of the Army shortly before the end of 1944, MacArthur subsequently oversaw the liberation of the rest of the Philippines. After Japan capitulated in August 1945 General MacArthur presided over the formal surrender ceremonies and, during the next five years, was responsible for demilitarizing the defeated nation and reforming its political and economic life.

Beginning late June 1950, when North Korea began the Korean War, MacArthur was in charge of the United Nations' fight to repel and defeat the aggressor. This successful campaign was followed, in November 1950, by a vigorous Chinese intervention, which was also largely contained by the spring of 1951. However, by that time General MacArthur's outspoken views had made him unacceptable to the Truman Administration. In April 1951 he was relieved of his commands and recalled to the United States, where he received a hero's welcome. After an abortive run for the Presidency in 1951-1952, he spent the rest of his life as an elder statesman for conservative and nationalist causes. After a life of great achievement, and equally great controversy, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur died on 5 April 1964.

This page features selected views concerning General Douglas MacArthur taken through September 1944, and provides links to images of later date.

For other pictures related to Douglas MacArthur, see:

  • General of the Army Douglas MacArthur -- In the Philippines, October 1944 - August 1945;
  • General of the Army Douglas MacArthur -- In Japan, August 1945 - June 1950; and
  • General of the Army Douglas MacArthur -- Views taken after June 1950.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 62439

    General Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army


    Portrait photograph, taken circa 1943 or 1944.
    The original print is inscribed: "To Admiral Nimitz. With regard and admiration. Douglas MacArthur".

    Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 84KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: SC 128885

    Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army
    ,
    Commanding General Far Eastern Army (front)

    Accepting command of Philippine Army troops in induction ceremonies of the Philippine Army Air Corps, at Zabalan Field, Camp Murphy, Rizal, Philippine Islands, 15 August 1941.

    Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 109KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: SC 265357

    General Douglas MacArthur
    (center)

    With his Chief of Staff, Major General Richard Sutherland, in the Headquarters tunnel on Corregidor, Philippines, 1 March 1942.

    Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: SC 183951

    Lieutenant General Walter Krueger

    Commanding General, U.S. Sixth Army (left)
    General Douglas MacArthur,
    Supreme Commander, Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific Area, and
    General George C. Marshall,
    Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (right)

    At a field headquarters in the Southwest Pacific Area, late 1943.

    Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 580 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: SC 188839

    Admiralties Invasion, 1944


    Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid (left center) with General Douglas MacArthur (center) on the flag bridge of USS Phoenix (CL-46) during the pre-invasion bombardment of Los Negros Island, at the east end of Manus Island, 28 February 1944.
    At right is Colonel Lloyd Labrbas, acting aide to General MacArthur.
    Note 40mm quad gun mount in the background.

    Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: SC 187355

    General Douglas MacArthur
    ,
    Supreme Commander, Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific Area (center)

    Views the results of the heavy naval bombardment which prepared the way for the invasion of Los Negros Island, Admiralty Group, 29 February 1944.
    With Gen. MacArthur is his acting aide, Colonel Lloyd Lehrabas.

    Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: SC 190409

    General Douglas MacArthur
    ,
    Supreme Commander, Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific Area, and
    Admiral Chester W. Nimitz,
    Commander in Chief, Pacific

    Discuss Pacific war strategy at General MacArthur's headquarters, Brisbane, Australia, 27 March 1944.

    Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-241479

    General Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army
    (left);
    President Franklin D. Roosevelt (center); and
    Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN (right)

    On board USS Baltimore (CA-68), at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 26 July 1944.
    Admiral William D. Leahy, the President's Chief of Staff, is standing in the left background.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-257967

    Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey
    ,
    Commander Amphibious Force, Seventh Fleet (left), and
    General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander, Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific Area (center)

    Inspect the invasion beaches at Morotai Island, Netherlands East Indies, on the first day of landings there, 15 September 1944.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     



    Medal of Honor citation of General Douglas MacArthur (as printed in the 1964 congressional publication "Medal of Honor Recipients--1863-1963", page 175):

    "For consipicuous leadership in preparing the Philippine Islands to resist conquest, for gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against invading Japanese forces, and for the heroic conduct of defensive and offensive operations on the Bataan Peninsula. He mobilized, trained, and led an army which has received world acclaim for its gallant defense against a tremendous superiority of enemy forces in men and arms. His utter disregard of personal danger under heavy fire and aerial bombardment, his calm judgement in each crisis, inspired his troops, galvanized the spirit of resistance of the Filipino people, and confirmed the faith of the American people in their armed forces."

    For other pictures related to Douglas MacArthur, see:

  • General of the Army Douglas MacArthur -- In the Philippines, October 1944 - August 1945;
  • General of the Army Douglas MacArthur -- In Japan, August 1945 - June 1950; and
  • General of the Army Douglas MacArthur -- Views taken after June 1950.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 16 November 2003