Historical Dictionary of United States-Japan ... - Bakumatsu Films

168 • MACARTHUR, GENERAL DOUGLAS
in World War I. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier in August
1918. Two months later in November, MacArthur was chosen as the
youngest U.S. divisional commander in France. When he returned to
the United States after the war ended, he was again promoted, to the
rank of brigadier general and he became the youngest superintendent
of West Point in history. In 1922, the Army sent MacArthur to the
Philippines to command the Military District of Manila. Another promotion
in 1923 resulted in MacArthur becoming the U.S. Army’s
youngest general.
In 1930, Douglas MacArthur was selected as the youngest chief of
staff of the U.S. Army in history. In June 1932, he suppressed protests
by war veterans (known as the Bonus Army) in Washington, D.C., believing
that the United States was on the verge of a communist upheaval.
In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent MacArthur to
the Philippines, where he had planned to remain after retiring in 1937.
When it became clear that war with Japan was imminent, Roosevelt
recalled MacArthur to active duty in June 1941 as a major general.
Japanese troops invaded the Philippines after the Pacific War broke
out in December 1941. MacArthur and U.S. troops under his command
were forced to retreat to the Bataan peninsula, but MacArthur managed
to escape in February 1942 and then travel to Australia to take up new
duties.
In December 1944, MacArthur was named general of the Army. In
March 1945, U.S. forces captured Manila. With Japan’s defeat in August
1945, he was appointed as Supreme Commander for the Allied
Powers (SCAP) and head of the Allied occupation of Japan. On 30 August
1945, MacArthur arrived at Atsugi Airport in Japan. Through his
position as SCAP and leader of the occupation, he was responsible for
the demilitarization and democratization of Japan for the next five years
and eight months. During this period, he adopted a somewhat imperious
attitude and suggested—or imposed—far-reaching reforms, such as
changes in the educational system, support of the moderate political parties,
taming of the trade unions, and dissolution of the zaibatsu.
When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, MacArthur was appointed
commander of United Nations forces. On 15 September 1950,
he landed U.S. and South Korean marines at Inchon, 200 miles behind
North Korean lines, and began a counterattack. By 24 October 1950,
MacArthur had marched all the way up to the Yalu River, the border