Class of 1903

Vol. VI
p1013 [Supplement, Vol. VI: 1910‑1920]

(Born Jan. 26, 1880)

Military History. —

First Lieut., Corps of Engineers, April 23, 1904

At Fort Leavenworth, Kans., commanding successively Company and Battalion, and Battalion Adjutant and Instructor, Army Service Schools, April, 1908, to

(Captain, Corps of Engineers, Feb. 27, 1911)

November, 1912; (Instructor at Mounted Service Schools, Fort Riley, Kans., 1908, 1909, 1910; participated in Mobilization of Maneuver Division at San Antonio, Texas, March to July, 1911); at Washington, D. C., member and recorder of Board of Engineer Troops, November, 1912, to May, 1913; with General Staff Corps, May to September, 1913; Superintendent of State, War and Navy Building and member of General Staff, September, 1913, to December, 1915; (participated in Vera Cruz Expedition, April to September, 1914);

(Major, Corps of Engineers, Dec. 11, 1915)

with General Staff, Dec. 11, 1915, to April 7, 1916; member of General Staff, April 7, 1916, to

(Colonel of Infantry, National Army, Aug. 5, 1917)

Aug. 10, 1917; Chief of Staff, 42nd (Rainbow) Division, Aug. 10, 1917; at Camp Mills, L. I., Sept. 5 to Oct. 18, 1917; en route to France to Oct. 29; in Vaucouleurs Training Area, November to December; in La Franche Training Area, December, 1917; in Rolampont Training Area, January to February, 1918; in Luneville Sector, February to April; (wounded at Neuviller, March 9); in Baccarat Sector, April to June;

(Brigadier-General, National Army, June 26, 1918)

in Esperance-Souain Sector, Champagne, July 4 to 14; in Champagne-Marne Defensive, July 15 to 18; in Aisne-Marne Defensive, July 18 to August, 1918;

(Assigned to Command of 84th Infantry Brigade, Aug. 6, 1918)

in St. Mihiel Offensive, Sept. 12 to 16; in Essey and Pannes Sector, Woevre, Sept. 17 to 30; in Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Oct. 1 to 31; (wounded at Exermont, Oct. 11);

(Assigned to Command of 42d Division, Nov. –––, 1918)

in Sedan Offensive, Nov. 1 to 11, 1918; in Germany, with Army of Occupation, to April 12, 1919; en route to Camp Merritt, N. J., April 18 to 25, 1919; at Washington, D. C., with General Staff, May 1 to June 12, 1919; Superintendent, U. S. Military Academy, June 12, 1919, to –––––

Awarded

Distinguished Service Cross

"For extraordinary heroism in an assault upon a German position at the Salient du Feys, March 9, 1918, during which three hostile lines of trenches were overrun. He voluntarily joined Company "D", 168th Infantry, U. S. Army, as a representative of the Division Commander, while this company was undergoing a severe counter preparation fire from the enemy, lasting some three hours, preparatory to the assault above  p1014 mentioned. This officer by his coolness and conspicuous courage had a marked effect on the splendid behavior of the organization during its initial baptism of fire".

Awarded

Oak Leaf of the Distinguished Service Cross

"For the following act of extraordinary heroism in action, Brigadier-General MacArthur is awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf to be worn on the Distinguished Service Cross awarded him March 25, 1918. As Brigade Commander, General MacArthur personally led his men and by the skillful maneuvering of his brigade made possible the capture of Hills 288, 242, and the Cote de Chatillon, Oct. 14, 15 and 16, 1918; He displayed indomitable resolution and great courage in rallying broken lines and in reforming attacks, thereby making victory possible. On a field where courage was the rule, his courage was the dominant feature."

Awarded

Distinguished Service Medal

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. He served with credit as chief of staff of the 42d Division in the operations at Chalons and at the Château-Thierry salient. In command of the 84th Infantry Brigade he showed himself to be a brilliant commander of skill and judgment. Later he served with distinction as commanding general of the 42d Division."

Awarded seven Silver Stars for citations for personal gallantry at Battles of Rechicourt, February, 1918; Suippes, July, 1918; Serringes, July 28, 1918; Sergy, Aug. 2, 1918; Bois de Sonnard, Sept. 12, 1918; St. Benoist, Sept. 19, 1918, and Sedan, Nov. 5‑6, 1918;

Commander of the Legion of Honor, French, and cited;

"Commanding General, 42nd (Rainbow) Division. His masterly leader­ship, indefatigable energy and extraordinary courage as Chief of Staff, Brigadier-General and Division Commander, contributed very largely to the victory of the Allied Armies."

Awarded French Croix de Guerre, with two palms and Gold Star; with citation; (palm),

"Chief of Staff of a Division, who by the skill shown in the disposition made by him and by the example of remarkable courage which he set under the most violent bombardments, contributed largely to gaining the victory of July 15, 1918, in breaking the great German attack."

(palm),

"Chief of Staff of the Rainbow Division, whose extraordinary leader­ship in attack and brilliant skill in maneuver made possible the crossing of the Ourcq River in the Offensive of July. His indomitable courage served as an inspiration to an entire army."

(Gold Star),

"In reconnaissance in a Sector, in course of an attack pushed forward with coolness and great courage under an intensive fire to obtain valuable information."

Awarded Italian War Cross:

"The King of Italy has wished that this decoration which is given to reward those who most distinguish themselves in action, should be awarded to you in recognition of the gallantry you have shown and the merit you have thereby acquired for the common cause."

Made Commander of the Belgian Order of the Crown,

"for gallantry, skill, leader­ship, resolution, all displayed to an extraordinary degree in positions of great responsibility during the war for a common cause."

Awarded Order of Leopold, officer, of Belgium,

"for the great service rendered in the Campaign of 1918 to the Allied Cause."

Vol. VII
p576 [Supplement, Vol. VII: 1920‑1930]

Military History: —

Distinguished Service Cross.

Distinguished Service Medal.

Brigadier-General, National Army, June 26, 1918.

At West Point, N. Y., Superintendent, U. S. Military Academy, June 12, 1919, to

Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Jan. 20, 1920.

June 30, 1922;​b at Manila, P. I., in command of the District of Manila, Nov. 1, 1922, to June 29, 1923; in command of the 23rd Infantry Brigade, June 29, 1923, to Jan. 17, 1925; in command of the Philippine Division, Nov. 18, 1924, to

Major-General, U. S. A., Jan. 17, 1925.

Jan. 30, 1925; at Atlanta, Ga., in command of the 4th Corps Area, May 1, 1925, to July 26, 1925; at Baltimore, Md., in command of the 3rd Corps Area, Aug. 1, 1925, to Sept. 3, 1928; at Manila, P. I., in command of the Philippine Department, Oct. 1, 1928, to Oct. 2, 1930; at Presidio of San Francisco, Calif., in command of the 9th Corps Area, Oct. 2, 1930, to Nov. 20, 1930; at Washington, D. C., Chief of Staff, Nov. 21, 1930, to –––––

General, Chief of Staff, U. S. A., Nov. 21, 1930.

Awarded Oak Leaf of the Distinguished Service Cross; seven Silver Star citations for personal gallantry; Commander of the Legion of Honor, French; French Croix de Guerre with two Palms and Gold Star; Italian War Cross; Commander of the Belgian Order of the Crown; Order of Leopold, Officer, of Belgium.

Awarded Honorary Degree of LL. D., University of Maryland, 1928; LL. D., Western Maryland College, 1929; Honorary Degree of Doctor of Military Science, Pennsylvania Military College, 1928.

Vol. VIII
p141 [Supplement, Vol. VIII: 1930‑1940]

Military History: — At Washington, D. C., G. S. C., Nov. 21, 1930, to

(Gen. C. of S., Nov. 21, 1930)

Nov. 20, 1934 and C. of S., U. S. A., Nov. 21, 1930 to Nov. 20, 1934; Nov. 21, 1934 to Dec. 14, 1934; Dec. 15, 1934 to Oct. 1, 1935; at Manila, P. I., detailed to assist the Commonwealth of the Philippines in preparing its National Defense system, Oct. 26, 1935 to Dec. 31, 1937; Mil. Adviser to the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Jan. 1, 1936; Field Marshal of the Philippine Army, June 18, 1936.

(Gen., Ret., Dec. 31, 1937.
At his own request, after 30 years' service.)

Awarded

Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal, Sept. 5, 1935,

with the following citation:

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services in the performance of duties of great responsibility as Chief of Staff, U. S. Army since Nov. 21, 1930, he has performed his many important and exacting duties with signal success. In addition, he has rendered professional counsel and assistance to the President, the Secretary of War and Congress in the formation of sound defense policies and the enactment of progressive laws for promoting the nation's security."

Awarded Thanks of Congress (Philippines) Nov. 20, 1937, with following citation:

"Whereas General Douglas MacArthur has rendered invaluable services to the Commonwealth of the Philippines in organizing the Philippine Army, and has laid the foundation of its national defense tending to insure its security from outside aggression; and, Whereas, in the achievement of these objectives, General Douglas MacArthur has unreservedly placed all his experience, science and personal efforts at the service of the Philippines, and the National Assembly believes that they merit praise and recognition from the people of the Commonwealth; Now therefore, be it Resolved, That the Thanks of the National Assembly, for and on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of the Philippines be, as they hereby are, tendered to General Douglas MacArthur for his invaluable  p142 services in organizing the Philippine Army and the National Defense of the Philippines."

Service Medals and Decorations: D. S. M. (Oak Leaf Cluster); Silver Star (Six Oak Leaf Clusters); Purple Heart (Oak Leaf Cluster); Victory Medal (Five Battle Clasps); Philippine Campaign; Mexico Campaign; Grand Officer, Legion of Honor (France); Croix de Guerre (Three Palms) (France); Fourragere, Legion of Honor (France); Grand Cross, Polonia Restituta (Poland); Grand Cross, Order of Military Merit (Hungary); Grand Cross, Order of White Lion (Czechoslovakia); Grand Cross, Order of White Eagle (Yugoslavia); Grand Cross, Order of Military Merit (Roumania); Grand Cordon, Order of the Crown (Italy); Grand Cross, Order of Military Merit (Mexico); Order of Abdon Calderon, First Class (Ecuador).

Awarded Degree of LL. D., U. of Pittsburgh, 1932; M. of M. S., Norwich U., 1935; LL. D., U. of the Philippines, 1938.

Vol. IX
p85 [Supplement, Vol. IX: 1940‑1950]

Military History: —

Gen Ret 31 Dec 37.

AD, Pac, CG US Fcs FE, 26 Jul 41–

(Maj Gen AUS 26 Jul 41)

(Lt Gen AUS 29 Jul 41)

(Gen AUS 22 Dec 41)

17 Apr 42; Pac, Supreme Comdr SWPac and Pac Area, 18 Apr 42–

(Distinguished Service Medal)

(Gen of the Army (Temp) 18 Dec 44)

13 Aug 45; Japan, Supreme Allied Comdr in Chief Allied Fcs in Japan, 14 Aug 45–

(BSM AM)

(Gen of the Army (Permanent) 11 Apr 46)

(Distinguished Service Cross)

(Navy Distinguished Service Medal)

(Distinguished Service Medal)

Restored to AD list of the RA 9 Jul 48–​c

Military Order of Virtuti Militari V Class (Poland), Cross of Military Valor (Greece), Chinese Order of Grand Cordon of Pao Ting (Tripod) Special Class (China), Grand Cross of the Order of Orange Nassau w/ Swords (Netherlands), Legion of Honor (degree of Chief Commander) (Philippines), Distinguished Service Star (Philippines), Grand Croix of the Legion of Honor (1931) (France), Guatemalan Cruz De Merito Militar 1st Class (Guatemala), Order of the Crown Grand Cross w/ Palm (Belgium), Croix de Guerre 1940 w/ Palm (Belgium), Knight Grand Cross of the Military Order of Italy (Italy), Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (British)

Many other honors, degrees and decorations

Died Apr. 5, 1964 at Washington, D. C.: Aged 84.​d