Why did gen.MacArthur win the Congressional metal of honor?

Question

was it for courageously wading ashore days after hostilities ended in the Philippines?

Answer 1

Wow I didn't realise that he won it for ..."his utter disregard of personal DANGER under heavy fire and aerial bombardment", I am amazed.

Now what about all the thousands of troops that preceded his 'soft' landing. Did the JAPANESE save all their salvo's for him alone.

What about the troops that were left behind and suffered under their captors.

He may have been a Great General and may have deserved the medal but surely the wording should have been more appropriate.

Dare I say this, but it reminds me a lot of what happens here on YAP.

Answer 2

First off..... Have you forgotten MacArthur was in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded.....he helped organized the Resistance and plan the opposition.... America had to ORDER him to leave..... sneak him out in a submarine.....

....the little dog and pony show of wading ashore.....do you think that was for his ego..... when he was FORCED to leave he promised the Philippine people to "return'......When America was going to by-pass the Philippines.....leave it under Japanese control and attack Japan..... he FOUGHT his bosses and forced them to send troops to free the Philippines.....to keep their word.... his symbolic wading ashore was great for morale..... thousands of American troops lost their lives freeing the Philippines..... if MacArthur had not kept his promise to the Philippine people those Americans would probably still be alive......and lord knows how many innocent Philippine civilians would have been slaughtered as the Japanese left on their own power..... they are NOT good losers..... their orders were to kill everyone.....there were over 2,000 civilians in Las Banos alone......they would have been executed......

I am not a big fan of MacArthur......but your trivializing him is a shame..... you need to read more history and have less judgmental prejudice

As to his "enlistment date"......He fought in the Mexican -American War.....He fought in World War One..... he retired as a general in 1937 He then  became the "PHILIPPINE Field Marshal" under President Quezon and helped create the Philippine military..... he came out of RETIREMENT "april 1942'....  to fight the Japanese..... your distain does you no credit

As to the reference to his fathers "scorched earth policy in an attempt to passify the natives".....NEVER HAPPENED ...... in fact two American officers who tried a scorched earth policy were imprisoned and court martialed.....the US military had a respect for the Philippine fighter.... they respected Gregorio del Pilar enough to bury him with FULL military honors..... a respect never given to any other adversary..... when they eventually captured Aguinaldo.....they respected him enough to trust his word..... he gave his word and they released him.

Answer 3

he was backed by powerful lobbyist

Answer 4

When he won the Pacific War for US of America and for his leadership in defending the Philippine Islands in WW II.

Answer 5

When he waded ashore in the Phillipines, the showboater could have been accompanied by women and children. It was very safe and a great photo op.

Answer 6

I will simply take your word for it that he won this metal.

And I shall hazard a further guess that it was because he acted as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Pacific during the Second World War, and won for the United States that Theater of Operations.   Gen.Douglas MacArthur is the American Ceasar, and son to Arthur MacArthur who led the pacification of the natives (us guys) by adopting the "scorched earth policy".   If the American Congress awarded this metal,  another reason is perhaps it is a consolation for his not winning the Republical nomination for the Presidency, which is heavy on his heart,  and this metal, being such, is a counter weight.

Added:  I would like to eat my words.  It is, indeed, the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor that the General won.  I researched.

Here are their citations:

MacARTHUR, DOUGLAS

Rank and organization: General, U.S. Army, commanding U.S. Army Forces in the Far East. Place and date: Bataan Peninsula, Philippine Islands. Entered service at: Ashland, Wis. Birth: Little Rock, Ark. G.O. No.: 16, 1 April 1942. Citation: For conspicuous leadership in preparing the Philippine Islands to resist conquest, for gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against invading Japanese forces, and for the heroic conduct of defensive and offensive operations on the Bataan Peninsula. He mobilized, trained, and led an army which has received world acclaim for its gallant defense against a tremendous superiority of enemy forces in men and arms. His utter disregard of personal danger under heavy fire and aerial bombardment, his calm judgment in each crisis, inspired his troops, galvanized the spirit of resistance of the Filipino people, and confirmed the faith of the American people in their Armed Forces.