However, what if I were to show that one of our nation’s most famous heroes was the biggest fraud of all? How would you feel, and what would you then think? I hope that you would feel, and think that this deception should be dealt with appropriately. Although long dead, he too, needs to be brought to justice, not by prosecutors…but stripped of medals and badges he did not earn by Congress.
The General in question is none other than General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.
Now, here is my argument.
It is widely known that the most decorated serviceman of WWII was none other than the real hero Audie Murphy. This is not true. The serviceman who wore the most medals and badges in WWII is General Douglas MacArthur. Audie Murphy does not come close to what Macarthur wore in WWII alone.
Now, some may argue that the Military’s Regulation of “General Officers can Prescribe their own Uniform”, can be applied. However, this is not true. Regardless of whether you are the General of the Army or a Private, you cannot wear medals and badges you did not earn.
Here is list of Medals and Badges worn by General Douglas MacArthur. You can get a copy of the list from the General Douglas MacArthur Museum.
Medals Decorations and Badges of General Douglas Macarthur
Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross with two oak leaf clusters
Army Distinguished Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal with six oak leaf clusters, represented by one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal with Valor device
Presidential Unit Citation six oak leaf clusters, represented by one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Medal
Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster
Philippine Campaign
Medal Mexican Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal with five battle clasps (Aisne-Marne, Champagne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector)
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
American Defense Service Medal with “Foreign Service” clasp
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two silver service stars and arrowhead device
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal with “Japan” clasp
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars and arrowhead device
United Nations Service Medal
Command Pilot Badge Army
Combat Infantryman’s Badge
General Staff Identification Badge
Fourteen Overseas Service Bars
Expert Badge with Rifle and Pistol bars
Distinguished Service Cross with two oak leaf clusters
Army Distinguished Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal with six oak leaf clusters, represented by one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal with Valor device
Presidential Unit Citation six oak leaf clusters, represented by one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Medal
Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster
Philippine Campaign
Medal Mexican Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal with five battle clasps (Aisne-Marne, Champagne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector)
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
American Defense Service Medal with “Foreign Service” clasp
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two silver service stars and arrowhead device
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal with “Japan” clasp
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars and arrowhead device
United Nations Service Medal
Command Pilot Badge Army
Combat Infantryman’s Badge
General Staff Identification Badge
Fourteen Overseas Service Bars
Expert Badge with Rifle and Pistol bars
In My Opinion, The Following are the Medals and Badges General MacArthur Could Not Have Earned:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal with Valor device
Air Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two silver service stars and arrowhead device
Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars and arrowhead device
Command Pilot Badge Army
Combat Infantryman’s Badge
Bronze Star Medal with Valor device
Air Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two silver service stars and arrowhead device
Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars and arrowhead device
Command Pilot Badge Army
Combat Infantryman’s Badge
Criteria for earning of said medals and badges during WWII, as well as Korea.
The Distinguished Flying Cross
Criteria: The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty.
The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances.
Awards will be made only to recognize single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement and will not be made in recognition of sustained operational activities against an armed enemy.
The Distinguished Flying Cross was established in the Air Corps Act (Act of Congress, 2 July 1926, Public Law No. 446, 69th Congress). This act provided for award "to any person, while serving in any capacity with the Air Corps of the Army of the United States, including the National Guard and the Organized Reserves, or with the United States Navy, since the 6th day of April 1917, has distinguished, or who, after the approval of this Act, distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight."
So, exactly what did MacArthur do to be awarded the DFC? He had his own plane and pilots in WWII and Korea. As far as I know, all of his flights were “Operational Activities.”
An article published in 1951 by Time Magazine Questioned the same thing.
Heroism Can Be Easy
Monday, Feb. 19, 1951
Monday, Feb. 19, 1951
“Among the highest and rarest medals for heroism in the nation's gift are the Distinguished Service Cross (for "extraordinary heroism . . . against an armed enemy") and the Silver Star (for "gallantry in action"). But by last week the Cross and the Star were beginning to seem neither so high nor so rare.
“In Korea, reporters totted up the awards bestowed by General Douglas MacArthur and the Air Force's Lieut. General George Stratemeyer. Stratemeyer had awarded Silver Stars to seven of his back-in-Japan staff officers. One brigadier general got his for assuring the "constant and uninterrupted flow of material," other staff generals for being "subject to enemy air and ground attack" during occasional flying trips to Korea.
“Douglas MacArthur had been similarly generous. His surgeon general and his chief of intelligence got Silver Stars. At the Inchon landing, MacArthur approached the beach in a landing craft, but was persuaded to go no closer by the Seventh Fleet's commander, Vice Admiral Arthur D. Struble. Later, MacArthur decorated Struble with the Distinguished Service Cross, though Struble had done little more, heroically speaking, than stand on his bridge in a calm sea. Vice Admiral C. T. Joy, Far East naval commander, got one too. When MacArthur finally landed, he passed out Silver Stars to three Marine officers—and two South Korean naval officers who happened to be passing by.
“MacArthur topped this off with another Cross to Stratemeyer for "continually subjecting himself to great danger" in directing the evacuation of U.S. civilians from advanced airfields. And Stratemeyer awarded MacArthur the Distinguished Flying Cross ("for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight"), on the ground that MacArthur's flying visits to Korea were made "under conditions presenting the threat of hostile air interception."
“Somehow, the flow of bright ribbons was still not trickling down to the enlisted ranks.* Near Waegwan a few months ago, a corporal named Everett L. Elmore headed his boat across the bullet-torn Naktong River for the enemy-held shore. Mortar shells crashed alongside, machine-gun bullets stitched a pattern against its sides. Corporal Elmore rallied his panic-stricken passengers, delivered them to the beachhead, and went back for more. On his last trip, Corporal Elmore was mortally hit. He got the Bronze Star Medal—posthumously—an award for "heroic achievement" not deemed to be of sufficient degree to merit a Distinguished Service Cross or a Silver Star.
“*Last week Army Secretary Frank Pace and Chief of Staff J. Lawton Collins pinned the first Korean campaign ribbons (blue with white stripes) on three wounded veterans in Washington's Walter Reed hospital.”
Bronze Star Medal
Criteria:
a. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
b. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.c. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The required achievement or service while of lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction.
Background:
a. General George C. Marshall, in a memorandum to President Roosevelt dated February 3, 1944, wrote: "The fact that the ground troops, Infantry in particular, lead miserable lives of extreme discomfort and are the ones who must close in personal combat with the enemy, makes the maintenance of their morale of great importance. The award of the Air Medal have had an adverse reaction on the ground troops, particularly the Infantry Riflemen who are now suffering the heaviest losses, air or ground, in the Army, and enduring the greatest hardships." The Air Medal had been adopted two years earlier to raise airmen’s morale.
b. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.c. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The required achievement or service while of lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction.
Background:
a. General George C. Marshall, in a memorandum to President Roosevelt dated February 3, 1944, wrote: "The fact that the ground troops, Infantry in particular, lead miserable lives of extreme discomfort and are the ones who must close in personal combat with the enemy, makes the maintenance of their morale of great importance. The award of the Air Medal have had an adverse reaction on the ground troops, particularly the Infantry Riflemen who are now suffering the heaviest losses, air or ground, in the Army, and enduring the greatest hardships." The Air Medal had been adopted two years earlier to raise airmen’s morale.
b. President Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal by Executive Order 9419 dated 4 February 1944, retroactive to 7 December 1941. This authorization was announced in War Department Bulletin No. 3, dated 10 February 1944. The Executive Order was amended by President Kennedy, per Executive Order 11046 dated 24 August 1962, to expand the authorization to include those serving with friendly forces.
c. As a result of a study conducted in 1947, the policy was implemented that authorized the retroactive award of the Bronze Star Medal to soldiers who had received the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge during World War II. The basis for doing this was that the badges were awarded only to soldiers who had borne the hardships which resulted in General Marshall’s support of the Bronze Star Medal. Both badges required a recommendation by the commander and a citation in orders.
Now, General MacArthur could have earned a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, but his Bronze Star was awarded for Valor. Since he already earned Seven Silver Stars, what lesser act of heroism did Macarthur accomplish to earn the Bronze Star with Valor Device?
Air Medal
Criteria:
The Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself/herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties.
However, it may also be awarded to certain other individuals whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status, or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not on flying status. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of personnel whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award.
Awards will not be made to individuals who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone.
The Key Words here are “Other than passenger status” Also, “Awards will not be made to individuals who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone.” MacArthur was always on passenger status and solely moved from point to point. Again, what did he do to earn the Air Medal?
History has proven that his personal aircraft from WWII to his removal of command in Korea consisted of three airplanes. One was Shiny Shiela, a highly polished aluminum C-47 (hence the name Shiny Shelia) with the interior of a luxury airline passenger plane. The other two aircraft were both called the Bataan, one a B-17 (modified for comfort), and the other a C-121A Constellation.
The Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself/herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties.
However, it may also be awarded to certain other individuals whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status, or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not on flying status. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of personnel whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award.
Awards will not be made to individuals who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone.
The Key Words here are “Other than passenger status” Also, “Awards will not be made to individuals who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone.” MacArthur was always on passenger status and solely moved from point to point. Again, what did he do to earn the Air Medal?
History has proven that his personal aircraft from WWII to his removal of command in Korea consisted of three airplanes. One was Shiny Shiela, a highly polished aluminum C-47 (hence the name Shiny Shelia) with the interior of a luxury airline passenger plane. The other two aircraft were both called the Bataan, one a B-17 (modified for comfort), and the other a C-121A Constellation.
Arrowhead
Arrowhead. The arrowhead is a bronze replica of an Indian arrowhead 1/4 inch (.64cm) high. It denotes participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing, while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission.
A soldier must actually exit the aircraft or watercraft to receive assault credit. Individual assault credit is tied directly to the combat assault credit decision for the unit to which the soldier is attached or assigned at the time of the assault.
Should a unit be denied assault, no assault credit will accrue to the individual soldiers of the unit. It is worn on the service and suspension ribbons of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Armed Force Expeditionary Medal. Only one arrowhead will be worn on any ribbon.
A soldier must actually exit the aircraft or watercraft to receive assault credit. Individual assault credit is tied directly to the combat assault credit decision for the unit to which the soldier is attached or assigned at the time of the assault.
Should a unit be denied assault, no assault credit will accrue to the individual soldiers of the unit. It is worn on the service and suspension ribbons of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Armed Force Expeditionary Medal. Only one arrowhead will be worn on any ribbon.
MacArthur has two Arrowheads, one his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, and his Korean Service Medal. Please read the above again and note the key words “A soldier must actually exit the aircraft or watercraft to receive assault credit.” Where did MacArthur, a Five-star General physically lead an assault?
Even if all of the other medals could possibly be explained, these two cannot. It was impossible for MacArthur to earn these two Badges, which are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Command Pilot Badge.
Even if all of the other medals could possibly be explained, these two cannot. It was impossible for MacArthur to earn these two Badges, which are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Command Pilot Badge.
Combat Infantryman Badge
a. History.
1) The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) was established by the War Department on 27 October 1943. Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair, then the Army Ground Forces commanding general, was instrumental in its creation. He originally recommended that it be called the "fighter badge." The CIB was designed to enhance morale and the prestige of the "Queen of Battle." Then Secretary of War Henry Stinson said, "It is high time we recognize in a personal way the skill and heroism of the American infantry."
(2) Originally, the Regimental Commander was the lowest level at which the CIB could be approved and its award was retroactive to 7 December 1941. There was a separate provision for badge holders to receive a $10 per month pay stipend, which was rescinded in 1948. Several factors led to the creation of the CIB, some of the most prominent factors are as follows:
(a) The need for large numbers of well-trained infantry to bring about a successful conclusion to the war and the already critical shortage of infantrymen.
(b) Of all soldiers, it was recognized that the infantryman continuously operated under the worst conditions and performed a mission which was not assigned to any other soldier or unit.
(c) The infantry, a small portion of the total Armed Forces, was suffering the most casualties while receiving the least public recognition.
(d) General Marshall's well known affinity for the ground forces soldier and, in particular, the infantryman. All these factors led to the establishment of the CIB, an award which would provide special recognition of the unique role of the Army infantryman, the only soldier whose daily mission is to close with and destroy the enemy and to seize and hold terrain. The badge was intended as an inducement for individuals to join the infantry while serving as a morale booster for infantrymen serving in every theater.
(3) In developing the CIB, the War Department did not dismiss out of hand or ignore the contributions of other branches. Their vital contributions to the overall war effort were certainly noted, but it was decided that other awards and decorations were sufficient to recognize their contributions. From the beginning, Army leaders have taken care to retain the badge for the unique purpose for which it was established and to prevent the adoption of any other badge which would lower its prestige. At the close of World War II, our largest war in which the armor and artillery played key roles in the ground campaigns, a review was conducted of the CIB criteria with consideration being given to creating either additional badges or authorizing the badge to cavalry and armor units. The review noted that any change in policy would detract from the prestige of the badge.
b. Intent.
(1) There are basically three requirements for award of the CIB. The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must actively participate in such ground combat. Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the CIB.
(2) The definition or requirement to be "engaged in active ground combat" has generated much dialogue over the years as to the original intent of the CIB.
(a) The 1943 War Department Circular required infantrymen to demonstrate "satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy." The operative words "in action" connoted actual combat.
(b) A War Department determination in October 1944 specified that "action against the enemy" for purposes of award of the CIB was to be interpreted as "ground combat against enemy ground forces."
A soldier must be an Army infantry in the grade of colonel or below, or an Army enlisted infantry soldier, who subsequent to 6 December 1941 has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat.
Awards will not be made to general officers nor to members of headquarters companies of units larger in size than brigade.
Keywords here are “in action”, “ground combat against enemy forces”, and “Awards will not be made to general officers nor to members of headquarters companies of units larger in size than brigade.”
1) The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) was established by the War Department on 27 October 1943. Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair, then the Army Ground Forces commanding general, was instrumental in its creation. He originally recommended that it be called the "fighter badge." The CIB was designed to enhance morale and the prestige of the "Queen of Battle." Then Secretary of War Henry Stinson said, "It is high time we recognize in a personal way the skill and heroism of the American infantry."
(2) Originally, the Regimental Commander was the lowest level at which the CIB could be approved and its award was retroactive to 7 December 1941. There was a separate provision for badge holders to receive a $10 per month pay stipend, which was rescinded in 1948. Several factors led to the creation of the CIB, some of the most prominent factors are as follows:
(a) The need for large numbers of well-trained infantry to bring about a successful conclusion to the war and the already critical shortage of infantrymen.
(b) Of all soldiers, it was recognized that the infantryman continuously operated under the worst conditions and performed a mission which was not assigned to any other soldier or unit.
(c) The infantry, a small portion of the total Armed Forces, was suffering the most casualties while receiving the least public recognition.
(d) General Marshall's well known affinity for the ground forces soldier and, in particular, the infantryman. All these factors led to the establishment of the CIB, an award which would provide special recognition of the unique role of the Army infantryman, the only soldier whose daily mission is to close with and destroy the enemy and to seize and hold terrain. The badge was intended as an inducement for individuals to join the infantry while serving as a morale booster for infantrymen serving in every theater.
(3) In developing the CIB, the War Department did not dismiss out of hand or ignore the contributions of other branches. Their vital contributions to the overall war effort were certainly noted, but it was decided that other awards and decorations were sufficient to recognize their contributions. From the beginning, Army leaders have taken care to retain the badge for the unique purpose for which it was established and to prevent the adoption of any other badge which would lower its prestige. At the close of World War II, our largest war in which the armor and artillery played key roles in the ground campaigns, a review was conducted of the CIB criteria with consideration being given to creating either additional badges or authorizing the badge to cavalry and armor units. The review noted that any change in policy would detract from the prestige of the badge.
b. Intent.
(1) There are basically three requirements for award of the CIB. The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must actively participate in such ground combat. Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the CIB.
(2) The definition or requirement to be "engaged in active ground combat" has generated much dialogue over the years as to the original intent of the CIB.
(a) The 1943 War Department Circular required infantrymen to demonstrate "satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy." The operative words "in action" connoted actual combat.
(b) A War Department determination in October 1944 specified that "action against the enemy" for purposes of award of the CIB was to be interpreted as "ground combat against enemy ground forces."
A soldier must be an Army infantry in the grade of colonel or below, or an Army enlisted infantry soldier, who subsequent to 6 December 1941 has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat.
Awards will not be made to general officers nor to members of headquarters companies of units larger in size than brigade.
Keywords here are “in action”, “ground combat against enemy forces”, and “Awards will not be made to general officers nor to members of headquarters companies of units larger in size than brigade.”
Now, tell me how does a Three-star General at the beginning of the war who became a Five-star General in 1944 is awarded the coveted CIB? Through no stretch of the imagination could General MacArthur have possibly earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge based solely on his Rank, and that is, in addition, to the fact that he never saw, or engaged in combat with the enemy either in WWII or in Korea.
Command Pilot Badge, Army Air Forces
PILOT (Badge established on 25 January 1919)
Was typically awarded upon completion of about 40 Weeks of AAF Pre-flight and primary, basic and advanced pilot schools. (This method is the one from which the bulk of World War II Pilots were obtained.) Upon the recommendation of a Board of Officers the Pilot rating was awarded on the basis of meeting one of the following requirements:
Previous aeronautical ratings held or previous aeronautical instruction passed within a specified past period; certain requirements of flying time; completion of a flight test.
A rating of Service Pilot currently held: Certain requirements of flying time; determination by the Board of qualifications and readiness for assignment to the combat duties appropriate for a Pilot who has graduated from an AAF Advanced Flying School.
Graduation from a course of instruction for heavier-than-air Pilots in the armed forces of friendly foreign nations or the accumulation of certain required flying time with the Armed forces of friendly foreign nations.
SENIOR PILOT (Rating established on 23 December 1937)
Required not less than 5 years service as a rated Pilot with aviation components of the military or naval services and not less than 1,500 hours logged flight time according to War Department records. Only seen on fairly senior (some Majors and higher ranks) fliers during WWII.
COMMAND PILOT (Rating established 23 March 1940)
Awarded to Pilots with various combinations of 10, 15 or 20 years service and 2,000 to 3,000 hours of logged flying time according to War Department records. Credited at 100% was time flown in heavier-than-air military aircraft as Pilot or CoPilot, or when not at the controls but acting in the capacity of a Command Pilot in unit operations of two or more aircraft. All other flying time in military heavier-than-air aircraft was credited at 50%; Lighter-than-air pilot time was credited at 25%; Flying time in non-military aircraft of 400 or more horsepower was credited at 100%. Rarely seen on any officer below the rank of Colonel during WWII.
Now, exactly how did MacArthur earn the Command Pilot Badge?
Throughout his entire military career from his Commission, as a Second Lieutenant he was an Engineer Officer until he acquired the rank of General. Second, he did not even meet the pre-requisites of the Basic Pilot. As far as I know, MacArthur was not a rated aviator, civilian or military. Yet he wears the Command Pilot. Simply because he had 5 Stars, does that give him the right to wear the wings of a Command Pilot or in his case, award them to himself? I, as well as many others including the government regulations, do not think so.
His Medal of Honor is more than questionable as well. How can General MacArthur be cited for gallantry when he abandoned his men and left them to the fate of the Japanese and the Bataan Death March even though the claim is that he was ordered to leave.
His Medal of Honor is more than questionable as well. How can General MacArthur be cited for gallantry when he abandoned his men and left them to the fate of the Japanese and the Bataan Death March even though the claim is that he was ordered to leave.
Men such as Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, Doris "Dorie" Miller, Floyd James Thompson, and the countless others who truly earned the MOH, did not get one, yet General Douglas MacArthur received one.
General MacArthur’s Medal of Honor Citation is “for conspicuous leadership in defense of the Philippine Islands, in preparation to resist conquest against the Japanese Invasion.” It also goes on to state that he is cited for “Heroic Conduct”, and “Calm Judgment”, and “restored faith.” Is this not what is expected of all General Officers?
His citation is General Order 16 and happens to be one of the shortest, if not the shortest MOH Citation.
An little known footnote in history is that General Eisenhower, at the same time was offered the Medal of Honor, for the same reason General MacArthur was awarded his. However, General Eisenhower turned it down stating that it was his understanding the medal was only awarded for valor and that he did nothing valorous to earn the medal.
The reality is General MacArthur fled the Philippines, in doing so he left roughly 66,000 Filipinos and 11,796 Americans behind to suffer the infamous “Bataan Death March”, of which only a little more than 50,000 men made it to their destination. Out of that amount, an unknown amount of Filipinos and nearly 700 Americans were tortured and murdered in the most cruelest acts of savagery imaginable. So much so, that a being beheaded, having one's throat cut, or being shot were considered merciful.
It is said that General MacArthur had orders to flee the Philippines. That, however in my opinion, and that of many other historians is not exactly what transpired. Yes, President Roosevelt was going to order General MacArthur to leave the Philippines, however MacArthur left before the Executive Decision was put into effect.
In a telegram from Chief of Staff George C. Marshall in Washington, to General MacArthur were statements such as “we cannot do much to help you”, and “advised to leave the Philippines”, this is hardly an order to evacuate. Even if he was given an order, General MacArthur was known for disobeying them. He considered staying, but he eventually fled to Australia. What prompted General MacArthur to leave (and obey this suggestion), when many others would have stayed?
The answer could be money.
General MacArthur left the Philippines a very wealthy man. As well as some of his officers. How can a General Officer in retreat become wealthy at the same time?
Simple…
As the Japanese began invading Corregidor and Bataan, MacArthur received a $500,000.00 payment in the form of a wire transfer to his N.Y. bank account. Not only did General MacArthur receive the $500,000.00, some of his officers also received a large sum of money as well.
The payment was a result of Executive Order # 1 of the Philippine Commonwealth. The order called the payment "recompense and reward" for the "magnificent defense" against the invading forces of the Japanese."
The money that was given to General MacArthur's, and his officers was for the past service to the Philippines, in helping them prepare the Philippines for war, but it was a guarantee that MacArthur (and by extension the U.S.) would do everything in his power to help the free the Filipinos from Japanese Occupation.
The money was what the Filipinos call "utang na loob", literally meaning a bond. The famous "I shall return speech", was nothing more than a public verbal guarantee to President Quezon that he and the U.S. would come to the aid of the Filipinos. General MacArthur was "bought off." For the rest of General MacArthur’s life when questioned about the $500,000.00 payment, he would refuse to answer any questions.
Later that same year (1942), President Quezon offered Eisenhower $60,000. Eisenhower refused the money, stating that it would compromise his integrity. In addition, since both men were in the U.S. Army, taking this payment was illegal.
Five-stars did not give him the right to do what he did. As long as General MacArthur’s military records (interestingly his records show the $500,000.00 payment) show that he could wear medals and badges that he did not earn, all arbitrarily awarded to himself on a whim, then every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine who truly earned those decorations will have all of their merits diminished.
It is time to correct this injustice and right this wrong. If we do not, then we cannot punish others who do the same thing.
General MacArthur disgraced his Rank, his Position, the Uniform, and all the men and woman who have served in the military.
Researched and Written by, John Vargas
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