Douglas MacArthur Biography

Birth of Douglas MacArthur

Graduates from West Point

Appointed Major General

Appointed Chief of Staff

Appointed Military Adviser to the Philippines

Appointed Commander of the US Army Forces in the Far East

Appointed Commander of the US Army Forces in the Far East

The US surrenders to the Japanese on Bataan. MacArthur is evacuated but Allied prisoners are forced on the Bataan Death March

MacArthur lands on Leyte after the initial assault and publicly marks the return of Allied forces to the Philippines.

Granted extraordinary powers in Japan which he uses as a benevolent dictator. Draws up a new constitution for Japan

Appointed Commander of the Army forces against Japan

MacArthur begins implementing procedures for Japan's cessation of hostilities and formal surrender.

Appointed Supreme Commander for Allied Powers

Inititiates action with Japan for the cessation of hostilities

MacArthur's arrival establishes the Allied command presence that will oversee Japan's formal surrender and occupation.

Arrives by plane at Atsugi airodrome to take the formal surrender of Japan

MacArthur formally receives Japan's capitulation on behalf of the Allied powers.

Formally accepts the surrender of Japan on the aircraft-carrier Missouri

Instructs the creation of an international war tribunal to try Japanese war criminals

Sends a report to the JCS predicting the collapse of the North Korean

A United Nations force ias forced to retreat by the North Koreans

Appointed Commander in Chief, United Nations forces in the Korean War

Appointed Commander in Chief, United Nations forces in the Korean War

Appointed Commander in Chief, United Nations forces in the Korean War

Appointed Commander in Chief, United Nations forces in the Korean War

Pledges a "superhuman effort" to pour in men & guns to drive out the North Koreans

US troops land at Pohang-Dong but are pushed back after having formed a defensive line

The US retakes Yechon

The North Koreans capture Yongdok, only 1/4 of South Korea is under United Nations control

The North Koreans break across the River Naktong but are driven back again 12 days later

From his Tkyo HQ MacArthur poposes plans for the US capture of Inchon

The JCS gives its approval for the Inchon landings

Launches Operation Chromite to achieve victory in South Korea before the winter

The Inchon landing force sets out from Japan to invade Korea, 260 ships & 70,000 men

MacArthur boards the Mount McKinley

US destroyers & cruisers shell enemy positions 2 days before the landings

The US forces launch a surprise landing at Inchon 150 miles north of the Pusan perimeter

Lands a United Nations force behind the lines to cut North Korean supply lines, only 20 marines die

The 5th Marines capture Kimbo Airport, South Koreas largest airport

The US reaches the Han River near Seoul

North Korean units begin withdrawing to the nth

Appointed Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief

North Korean forces around the Pusan perimeter retreat. Communist supply lines are broken

The 2 week struggle to take Seoul ends, 130,000 north Koreans had been captured. Seoul is captured by the 1st Cavalry Division & the 7th Infantry Division. MacArthur formally restores Seoul to President Rhee as the seat of Government

MacArthur is authorized by the Pentagon to cross the 38th Parallel

President Truman authorizes General MacArthr to operate north of the 38th Parallel

The 2 week struggle to take Seoul ends, 130,000 north Koreans had been captured

1 October-24 November, the North Koreans are driven North as far as the Yalu River

MacArthur asks the north Korean Commander in Chief to surrender, he refuses

South Korean & United Nations troops move North across the 38th parallel into North Korea

South Korean & United Nations troops move North across the 38th parallel into North Korea

The ROK 3rd Division captures the North Korean port of Wonsan

The 1st & last meeting between Truman & MacArthur, fails to produce agreement. President Truman & General MacArthur confer at Wake Island on the course of the war. MacArthur underplays the dangers of Russian & Chinese involvement in the war

16-26 October, the United Nations forces at Inchon are moved to the east coast as far as Wonsan

Pyongyang is captured by the ROK & US 187th Regimental Combat Team. Captures Pyongyang for the UN

The ROK 26th Division encounter strong Chinese resistance at Sudong

US Marines secure the port of Wonsan

The ROK reach the Yalu River & discover a Chinese force ready to invade South Korea

Chinese troops overwhelm the 6th ROK Infantry Division

Reports the massing of Chinese troops in North Korea

Flies to North Korea to supervise the drive to the River Yalu

5-15 December, the Chinese invade Korea & force the X Corps to evacuate

X Corps is evacuated from Hungnam

Plans to defend Seoul from a communist invasion

400,000 Chinese & 100,000 North Koreans open a major offenisive

Launches a counter-offensive against the Chinese & North Koreans

Counter-attacking Allied forces retake Seoul

Dismissed after publicly demanding the right to bomb Chinese targets in Manchuria

Death of Douglas MacArthur