APUSH+MacArthur

__**General Douglas MacArthur**__ Douglas MacArthur was born on January 26, 1880 in Little Rock, Arizona at a military base. His family had a strong military history. His father was a decorated Capitan of the Civil War at the time of his birth, and his mother's brothers had also served in the war. Throughout his younger years he lived in several different military bases, traveling with his father. In 1893 he moved to Texas and attended the West Texas Military Academy where he showed much promise. After he graduated from West Po9int in 1903, he served in World War I. He was put in command of the 42nd division and participated in the St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Sedan offensives, proving himself a respectable and worthy leader. After returning fom Europe he became superintendent of West Point. In 1930 MacArthur was promoted to general and he was given the position of army chief of staff. In July of 1941, during World War II, he was recalled to active duty and made Commander of US forces in the Pacific. At the end of the war, in 1945, he became Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces. In 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea, MacArthur was placed in command of the United Nations Forces and drove back the attackers. He did not anticipate the upcoming attacks from China, however, and was forced to retreat. After this retreat President Truman relieved him of his command in April of 1941. When MacArthur returned to the United States americans embraced him with a hero's welcome. President Truman continued to publically criticize his actions though. He was also considered as a Republican candidate for the next election, but the campaigns developed no further. Douglas MacArthur died in Washington, D.C. on April 6, 1964. He was burried at the Douglas MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia. The memorial is not only his resting place, but also home to a museum documenting his military service and life.