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    History and Headlines
    You are at:Home»Society»Military»October 20, 1944: Sometimes a Promise is Kept, MacArthur Returns!
    Military

    October 20, 1944: Sometimes a Promise is Kept, MacArthur Returns!

    Major DanBy Major DanOctober 20, 2016Updated:June 10, 202054 Comments3 Mins Read
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    A Brief History

    On October 20, 1944, Army and Naval forces of the United States landed on the Philippine island of Leyte in an amphibious assault to reclaim the islands from the Japanese who had taken the Philippines from the US and Philippine forces led by General Douglas MacArthur in 1942. MacArthur watched the landings from the deck of the cruiser USS Nashville and later that afternoon before conveniently located movie cameras the great man (just ask him!) waded ashore, keeping his famous “I shall return” promise when he fled the Philippines prior to his forces surrendering to the Japanese.

    Digging Deeper

    Ever the egomaniac, not only did MacArthur claim “I shall return” instead of “We shall return” meaning US forces, he promptly made a radio transmitted speech to Philippine islanders that included the line “I have returned!”

    Well, love or hate the guy, he did indeed return and the Philippines were taken from the fiercely resisting Japanese. Admiral Nimitz had argued against the Philippine operation, claiming that it made more military sense to invade Taiwan (also known as Formosa) instead, but the charismatic MacArthur talked President Roosevelt into allowing Mac to keep his promise and invade the Philippines instead, thus avoiding severe disappointment on the part of Philippine patriots who had suffered under Japanese rule.

    MacArthur had been awarded a Medal of Honor for his service in losing the Philippines to the Japanese in 1942, making him a great American hero to all except the men he left behind to be captured by the barbaric Japanese (Bataan Death March and all that). Not only that, but in December of 1944 he was awarded a promotion to 5 Star General (General of the Army), ranking only below General George Marshall among US military officers.

    MacArthur went on to represent the US in the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay in 1945 and to rule occupied Japan after the war. In this he did a commendable job, and when the Korean War broke out in 1950 Mac was there to take command of US and UN forces. Unfortunately, he ended up getting fired by President Truman in April of 1951. MacArthur had become insubordinate of Truman and was disliked by US European allies that feared another massive war would be started by MacArthur with the Chinese and possibly the Soviets (which indeed MacArthur wanted, at least with the Chinese).

    MacArthur’s long military career was over, but he remained largely an American hero to most people, and his death in 1964 was celebrated as the passing of a hero. A polarizing person, MacArthur has rabid fans that worship him and detractors that claim he was an egomaniac, vain, stubborn, and kind of nasty guy. Question for students (and subscribers): What do you think? Feel free to weigh in on your opinion of this iconic American warrior in the comments section below this article.

    If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by liking us on Facebook and becoming one of our patrons!

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    Historical Evidence

    For more information, please see…

    Leary, William M.  We Shall Return!: Macarthur’s Commanders and the Defeat of Japan, 1942-1945.  Univ Pr of Kentucky, 1988.

    WAR STORIES WITH OLIVER NORTH: RETAKING THE PHILIPPINES.  Fox News, 2010.  DVD.

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    Major Dan
    Major Dan

      Major Dan is a retired veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He served during the Cold War and has traveled to many countries around the world. Prior to his military service, he graduated from Cleveland State University, having majored in sociology. Following his military service, he worked as a police officer eventually earning the rank of captain prior to his retirement.

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      <span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="14811 https://www.historyandheadlines.com/?p=14811">54 Comments

      1. Avatar
        ps on October 20, 2016 1:21 pm

        Great article explaining how the United States lost the Philippines to the Japanese, but fought for it back an regained the country.

        Reply
      2. Avatar
        MM on October 27, 2016 3:22 pm

        I think it’s great that McArthur openly stated to the Philippines that he was going to take it back from the Japanese and that’s exactly what he did.

        Reply
      3. Avatar
        Diana Minich on November 20, 2016 11:24 am

        I think all great men and women are usually egomaniacs. I believe you have to have a bit of a God complex to do things that other people would not be strong enough to do.

        Reply
      4. Avatar
        Taylor Young on November 21, 2016 12:44 pm

        I think this article was great, I never learned about Macarthur and it is good to hear of his accomplishments during the war.

        Reply
      5. Avatar
        Kala Strong on November 21, 2016 10:06 pm

        I think regardless of his likability, he was a man of many accomplishments and should be recognized.

        Reply
      6. Avatar
        Jordin Vidmar on November 22, 2016 8:30 pm

        I find it funny how we won the Philippians, lost it, and then regained it back later. This proves that America never lets things be taken from them.

        Reply
      7. Avatar
        Lydia Ott on November 23, 2016 6:55 pm

        It is hard to believe that he was still rewarded with a Metal of Honor after abandoning his troops. Besides that it seemed like he had a very successful military career.

        Reply
      8. Avatar
        Brandon Wagner on November 25, 2016 4:04 pm

        The following sentence: “MacArthur had been awarded a Medal of Honor for his service in losing the Philippines to the Japanese in 1942, making him a great American hero to all except the men he left behind to be captured by the barbaric Japanese” did not make sense to me at all. How could he be a hero when he left so many men with the Japanese?

        Reply
      9. Avatar
        Ben McClay on November 25, 2016 10:27 pm

        Even though MacArthur ended up winning the medal of honor, I do not like the quote where he states, “I shall return, rather than, “we shall return.” To me, this is very narcissistic and shows that he was in the battle for himself rather than his men.

        Reply
      10. Avatar
        Audrey Manahan on November 25, 2016 10:32 pm

        I was also confused as to why MacArthur won a medal of honor. Did he actually win a medal of honor for losing?

        Reply
      11. Avatar
        Lessie Parish on November 26, 2016 3:02 am

        This article does not make sense to me.

        Reply
      12. Avatar
        Elizabeth Bon on November 26, 2016 11:52 am

        I am guessing he won the Medal of Honor for just making it out alive?? Not sure though. He does sound like an egomaniac. He was probably very good at his job but sounds like he was more worried about the glory.

        Reply
      13. Avatar
        Rose Jepson on November 26, 2016 1:21 pm

        I think he sounds a little selfish, but sometimes selfishness can lead to successful events. MacArthur had some success, but if one man is hated so much that it could result in another war, Truman made the right decision to fire him.

        Reply
      14. Avatar
        Dakota Zimmerman on November 26, 2016 4:08 pm

        MacArthur made the hard choices to save lives, never gave up on the men who he left only to save those who he could. we all make sacrifices but generals have the hardest choices because the are sacrificing others.

        Reply
      15. Avatar
        Alyssa Hanes on November 26, 2016 4:30 pm

        I do not think that MacArthur should have received the medal of honor as he was very selfish and focused more on himself rather than him and his team. He seemed to care more about the glory and ego boost that he would receive rather than the actions and helping others which it actually honored.

        Reply
      16. Avatar
        Jingshan Jiang on November 26, 2016 6:07 pm

        According to the article, MacArthur was a selfish general. A good leader should pay more attention to the overall situation rather than the personal glory and the personal reputations.

        Reply
      17. Avatar
        Shuling He on November 26, 2016 6:12 pm

        MacArthur was always think about himself rather than paying attention on the whole situation, that why he lose Philippines to Japan, he didn’t deserve to the medal of honor

        Reply
      18. Avatar
        Lori Caudill on November 26, 2016 6:16 pm

        MacArthur used his huge ego and story telling abilities to win people over. I am conflicted with the hero status and why he truly deserves it.

        Reply
      19. Avatar
        Shannon Read on November 26, 2016 7:30 pm

        Leaders should not be as selfish as MacArthur was. They should care more about their situations and the people they are with. I don’t know how I feel about him having a hero status.

        Reply
      20. Avatar
        Breanna Beckley on November 26, 2016 10:24 pm

        I do not think that MacArthur should have received the medal of honor because he used his ego to win the people over.

        Reply
      21. Avatar
        Daina Thomas on November 26, 2016 11:38 pm

        MacArthur did not deserve to receive this award and the people shouldn’t have been so gullible.

        Reply
      22. Avatar
        Nicholas Hillyer on November 27, 2016 11:07 pm

        I believe to be a good military leader you have to be somewhat cocky and think your better to make some of the hard decisions and battles they have to send their men into.

        Reply
      23. Avatar
        Natalie antonio on November 29, 2016 11:13 am

        In order to be a good and reliable leader in the military, that person needs to have a bit of cockiness about them, but MacArthur did not deserve to receive this award.

        Reply
      24. Avatar
        Maxwell McCullough on November 30, 2016 10:30 am

        You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain. He definitely returned to the Philippines but after WW2 I think he lost it a little.

        Reply
      25. Avatar
        Montel Lollis on December 1, 2016 12:37 pm

        sounds like fleeing the scene, cowardly , rather come back or not you stand up and fight for your beliefs.

        Reply
      26. Avatar
        AA on December 2, 2016 9:48 pm

        I think it would be wrong to claim either he was a horrible guy or a good person. Why can’t he be both? He had his moments where he showed he was an egomaniac like when he said “I shall return.” He also had his moments where he did his job well when he defended the Philippians.

        Reply
      27. Avatar
        Courtney G on December 4, 2016 9:47 pm

        I think that even though he eventually returned and helped the people of the Philippians he still abandoned them at the beginning of the US’s involvement in the war.

        Reply
      28. Avatar
        Suzie M. Shaffer on December 4, 2016 9:51 pm

        There is a difference between people who have good communication skills and is very persuasive then someone that is actually about his word. No leader should ever say I, they are representing everyone under them.

        Reply
      29. Avatar
        Kristin Fellure on December 6, 2016 11:43 pm

        Although MacArthur had good intentions, he was arrogant. I find it shocking people worship someone who says I instead of we.

        Reply
      30. Avatar
        LF on December 7, 2016 1:16 pm

        A leader of men, even if he lost a great deal of them, he fulfilled his promise.

        Reply
      31. Avatar
        Keagan Frey on December 9, 2016 12:14 am

        Always keep your word.

        Reply
      32. Avatar
        Travis Tarnowski on December 9, 2016 9:21 pm

        I am glad that Macarthur was awarded a medal of honor. He was a man of his word and he kept it. He should be honored.

        Reply
      33. Avatar
        Hunter Music on December 10, 2016 4:23 am

        He was a smart general who enjoyed the game of war. I am glad he deserved his honors and I am glad we terminated his actions before entering another world war.

        Reply
      34. Avatar
        Kayla Fox on December 10, 2016 5:12 am

        I think it is clear now, and most people are on the same page, that MacArthur should not have received this award.

        Reply
      35. Avatar
        Alexis Dykes on December 11, 2016 4:48 am

        Wow, MacArthur was a pretty selfish guy.

        Reply
      36. Avatar
        Jared A. Hutt on February 4, 2017 7:50 pm

        There are certain professions that one must be “kind of a nasty guy” to be truly successful. War just happens to be one of those professions.

        Reply
      37. Avatar
        Kay McCargish on February 6, 2017 2:41 pm

        MacArthur was a narcissist. He should not have been awarded anything, you never leave men behind.

        Reply
      38. Avatar
        Dan Sumpter on February 6, 2017 9:31 pm

        Taking credit for what your troops do is a total slap in their faces. Grab a gun and lead by example.

        Reply
      39. Avatar
        Dan Fidoe on February 9, 2017 2:54 pm

        I’m torn between him being a heroic leader and a coward. Leadership is action, not a position.

        Reply
      40. Avatar
        Michelle Ross on February 11, 2017 3:25 pm

        I think that someone who is a hero can also be person who is somewhat cocky because they are in a leadership role. Someone in a leadership role should never forget about the people who are there serving with you though.

        Reply
      41. Avatar
        Mackenzie H on February 17, 2017 9:40 pm

        Don’t make a promise you can’t keep. Thats all I’m gonna say.

        Reply
      42. Avatar
        Michael Tovissi on April 7, 2017 12:39 am

        General MacArthur was vital to U.S. forces in the Pacific War. I’m glad he was able to escape the Philippines to return and take it back, but I don’t think he deserved the Medal of Honor for losing the islands and abandoning his troops that were trapped.

        Reply
      43. Avatar
        Misty Prosser on April 10, 2017 1:47 pm

        As a General he should have never received the medal of honor because he lefts his troops to die. You never leave a man no matter what the consequences, I believe he was a coward.

        Reply
      44. Avatar
        Angela Kessinger on April 10, 2017 8:31 pm

        I have mixed feeling about General MacArthur. First I think that any man or woman that has spent time in the service should be awarded. Then I think this man is selfish, he only wanted to return to the Philippines for his own vendetta and he left his troops to die. This man should not have been given an award.

        Reply
      45. Avatar
        Jaisun on April 11, 2017 12:20 pm

        After reading about MacArthur well before now, he has always struck me as an egomaniac. Whenever everything was going right in the war, it was a credit to him. And when they failed, it was someone else’s fault.

        Reply
      46. Avatar
        Patrick Barker on April 12, 2017 9:32 am

        It sounds like MacArthur was charismatic when he was trying to convince others to lean his way, or when he was getting his way. But if you didn’t agree with him, he would leave you in the dust. I also feel that he viewed soldiers as expendable.

        Reply
      47. Avatar
        Payton Brown on April 18, 2017 5:42 pm

        It sounds like he rose to his position by being selfish.

        Reply
      48. Avatar
        Nakia Bridges on April 23, 2017 3:33 pm

        Macarthur seems like everything was about him and credit to him as long as it was going well. He was a very selfish man who only thought about the benefits of himself returning to the Philippians was for his own selfish reasons.

        Reply
      49. Avatar
        Ashley Betsa on April 26, 2017 11:24 am

        It seems MacArthur had his own agenda and it did not matter what another had to say. Did he have accomplishments, yes, but at what degree did those cost and were they for the right reasons? Like him, this is on going argument and in his selfish ways, he would be right.

        Reply
      50. Avatar
        Robin Crandel on April 26, 2017 11:31 am

        It seems like MacArthur knew what he wanted. However, to give a personal opinion of him after reading such a short article would not do him, nor I, justice.

        Reply
      51. Avatar
        Amanda Miller on April 26, 2017 9:48 pm

        I had no idea that MacArthur wanted a war between the United States and China, good thing Truman fired him.

        Reply
      52. Avatar
        MIA on April 28, 2017 9:16 am

        I’m glad Truman decided to fire him before things started escalating.

        Reply
      53. Avatar
        WenYu Zhang on April 30, 2017 8:33 pm

        When I saw this article, I was very impression

        Reply
      54. Avatar
        Yang Shao on April 30, 2017 11:01 pm

        MacArthur’s was hero spend a long time in the war finally end with his military career.

        Reply

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