After hubris, nemesis

The ancient Greeks taught that the Gods allowed humans to excel; but if they became over-confident, ascribed their success to themselves rather than to a deity or deities' favor or assistance, their hubris would be followed by nemesis - divine retribution.

Fifty-nine years ago, General Douglas MacArthur found that out the hard way.

He'd grown increasingly autocratic in his management of the Korean War, going so far as to publicly disagree with US Government policy, urging that reinforcements being sent to Europe should instead be dispatched to the Far East, and advocating an attack on China - using nuclear weapons if necessary. President Truman had finally had enough. On April 11th, 1951, he issued the following statement:

With deep regret I have concluded that General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is unable to give his wholehearted support to the policies of the United States Government and of the United Nations in matters pertaining to his official duties. In view of the specific responsibilities imposed upon me by the Constitution of the United States and the added responsibility which has been entrusted to be by the United Nations, I have decided that I must make a change of command in the Far East. I have, therefore, relieved General MacArthur of his commands and have designated Lt. Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway as his successor.

Full and vigorous debate on matters of national policy is a vital element in the constitutional system of our free democracy. It is fundamental, however, that military commanders must be governed by the policies and directives issued to them in the manner provided by our laws and Constitution. In time of crisis, this consideration is particularly compelling.

General MacArthur's place in history as one of our greatest commanders is fully established. The Nation owes him a debt of gratitude for the distinguished and exceptional service which he has rendered his country in posts of great responsibility. For that reason I repeat my regret at the necessity for the action I feel compelled to take in his case.

MacArthur's dismissal caused a furor in the USA. He was invited to address Congress on his return, where he quoted from a barracks song to the effect that "old soldiers never die; they just fade away". He died in 1964.

I've never agreed with President Truman's characterization of MacArthur as 'one of our greatest commanders'. I regard him as no better than average in terms of his wartime military record, and believe that the Medal of Honor awarded to him after the fall of the Philippines was not deserved, being more of a public relations award than a reward for true valor in action. Certainly, in the reconquest of the Philippines, he wasted many American lives on actions of no military significance in the war against Japan. In many ways he was the American counterpart to Britain's Field Marshal Montgomery: egotistical, self-centered, a basically competent but fundamentally flawed commander. On the other hand, his post-war administration of Japan laid the foundations for the rebuilding of that nation, and earned him a permanent place in that country's gratitude. I'd rather remember him for that.

MacArthur's dismissal caused turmoil, but had two positive effects. It demonstrated to Communist China that the US was not about to be dragged into an all-out war against it, which eased tensions somewhat; and it reaffirmed civilian control over US military forces in wartime.

Peter