Douglas MacArthur is the son of Arthur MacArthur (born January 26, 1880) and Mary Hardy MacArthur. He was born on a military base in Little Rock, Arkansas, the third child of Mary and Arthur. Douglas’ father was Arthur, a captain with the Army. Arthur was decorated Union Army Soldier during the Civil War. Mary, who was originally from Virginia, had brothers in the Confederate Army. Douglas, his parents, and siblings moved to San Antonio Texas at the age of thirteen. Douglas attended West Texas Military Academy. He excelled in school and was active in sports. MacArthur, after graduating West Texas Military Academy moved to United States Military Academy West Point. MacArthur was a star at West Point and played baseball for the school. In 1903, he graduated with honors.
MacArthur began his career as a junior Army Corps of Engineers officer after graduation. He spent the following decade serving in various locations. MacArthur was promoted many times during his first decade in the military. MacArthur was stationed in Japan, Mexico, France, the Philippines. He served in Veracruz for several months with U.S. forces that were occupying Mexico. He was promoted to major at the beginning of World War I and assigned to administrative and intelligence units. MacArthur became colonel when the United States declared War on Germany in 1917. The National Guard was a unit of soldiers from multiple states.
MacArthur demonstrated his leadership skills in 1918 during the offensives of Sedan, Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel. MacArthur was appointed superintendent of West Point after his return from Europe. During this time, he also became a brigadier. MacArthur married Louise Cromwell Brooks in 1922. MacArthur occupied a number of different Army posts for the rest decade. He was also head of American Olympic Committee at this time. Louise Cromwell Brooks divorced him in 1929. Douglas MacArthur’s career continued to progress in 1930. He received a promotion from general to chief of army staff.
In 1935, he became the military advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Philippines. MacArthur went to the Philippines to create a military defensive force. Jean Faircloth was his second spouse, and he married her two years after. Arthur was born a son a year after she had given birth. Arthur was birthed in Manila. MacArthur returned to active service in 1941. In July, MacArthur became commander of the U.S. Pacific forces. He was the leader of many successful operations against Japanese forces in the Philippines.
Comments are closed.