This is 33 minutes well worth your time today, even though the speech was given in 1962.

He was an egotistical, crazy m-f. Caused thousands of American military personnel to be killed for money and his power. Not worth my time.

quote:

Originally posted by craigcpa:
He was an egotistical, crazy m-f. Caused thousands of American military personnel to be killed for money and his power. Not worth my time.

I hear you, but review a transcript of this speech and you might have a different perspective on some of his motivations, and the relevance to today.

Thanks for posting.

Silent

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:

quote:

Originally posted by craigcpa:
He was an egotistical, crazy m-f. Caused thousands of American military personnel to be killed for money and his power. Not worth my time.

I hear you, but review a transcript of this speech and you might have a different perspective on some of his motivations, and the relevance to today.

From the speech:
And what sort of soldiers are those you are to lead? Are they reliable? Are they brave? Are they capable of victory? Their story is known to all of you. It is the story of the American man-at-arms.
My estimate of him was formed on the battlefield many, many years ago, and has never changed. I regarded him then as I regard him now -- as one of the world's noblest figures, not only as one of the finest military characters, but also as one of the most stainless.

MacArthur {ptui!} must have gained this profound respect for America's fighting men sometime after the summer of '32.
I bet the "Bonus Army" had a slightly different view.

He wanted to be a king.

To hell with him.

"Oh, yes. I studied dramatics under him for 12 years." -- Dwight Eisenhower

82 years old, failing health, no notes, no teleprompter. One of the greatest speeches in American rhetorical history.

In public life MacArthur was very much "God, family, country; duty an honor". In his private life he was a very different person.

It is possible to separate respect for what he says from the view of his actions

quote:

Originally posted by KMitch200:

I bet the "Bonus Army" had a slightly different view.

MacArthur was a selfish self centered prick, but so was every member of the "Bonus Army."

He is entombed in Norfolk, VA. It is worth a visit. Near the end of my walk-through in the early 90's, I came to his mausoleum, or whatever you call it. There were two spaces. His was all dolled up, the other was plain bare. I found one of the employees there and asked them what the other tomb was for.

"His wife."

Well, I misunderstood. I thought it odd that his was all duly decorated, and hers was spartan with nothing. I asked him why that was.

"Because she is still alive."

Herp....Derp...blowing bubbles.

He had a young, bride, 19 years younger than himself. She finally passed in 2000 at 101 years old and is now next to him.

There is a gift shop, and I picked up a paperback copy of his autobiography. In reading it, I learned that we did not need the Navy or Marines. He won the war in the Pacific all by himself. That if you were even remotely interested in any (read all) certificates, awards or medals he may have received, he has copies of every - single - one - of - them in there for your edification. He is a one man demigod force and a gift to humankind. He wrote a book about himself to make sure everyone could know. There was no general before or after him that was anything like him.

I do give him credit for the occupation of Japan. He understood the Japanese culture and mindset - and that a traditional occupation would have been harmful.

quote:

Originally posted by Jager:
He is entombed in Norfolk, VA. It is worth a visit. Near the end of my walk-through in the early 90's, I came to his mausoleum, or whatever you call it. There were two spaces. His was all dolled up, the other was plain bare. I found one of the employees there and asked them what the other tomb was for.

"His wife."

Well, I misunderstood. I thought it odd that his was all duly decorated, and hers was spartan with nothing. I asked him why that was.

"Because she is still alive."...

There is a gift shop, and I picked up a paperback copy of his autobiography. In reading it, I learned that we did not need the Navy or Marines. He won the war in the Pacific all by himself. That if you were even remotely interested in any (read all) certificates, awards or medals he may have received, he has copies of every - single - one - of - them in there for your edification. He is a one man demigod force and a gift to humankind. He wrote a book about himself to make sure everyone could know. There was no general before or after him that was anything like him.

I do give him credit for the occupation of Japan. He understood the Japanese culture and mindset - and that a traditional occupation would have been harmful.

MacArthur's US Navy counterpart was Nimitz, who asked to be buried next to those he served with, and with the same standard headstone (there is a slight diff, Nimitz headstone has the circle of five stars engraved). I see it every year when the Scouts plant flags at the Golden Gate Cemetery.

I have wondered how things in Korea would have been different had MacArthur had his way.

quote:

I have wondered how things in Korea would have been different had MacArthur had his way.

We'll not know in this lifetime, since violating your oath to obey the CIC and/or bucking him gets you fired.

Macarthur assured Truman that pushing north would not have the Chinese enter the conflict. Then the Chicoms poured hundreds of thousands of men south and threatened to topple the entire country. Macarthur then wanted to bomb China and bring in troops from Taiwan to assist in the fighting.

Imagine the death toll from that one.