Lessons Learned: General MacArthur's Dismissal

On April 11, 1951, President Harry Truman announced with "deep regret" that he had dismissed General Douglas MacArthur as commanding general of U.S. forces in the Korean War. Truman's decision came after MacArthur repeatedly criticized the president's policies, advocating a more aggressive strategy even as Truman sought to limit the war. After his announcement, the president faced intense criticism while MacArthur returned home to a hero's welcome, including an address to a joint session of Congress and a ticker-tape parade through New York City in his honor. However, the controversy slowly subsided as most Americans--and U.S. generals--made it clear that they opposed MacArthur's military strategy. General Omar Bradley famously said that MacArthur's policies "would involve us in the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong enemy."

James M. Lindsay, CFR's senior vice president and director of studies, argues that the firing of MacArthur shows that "presidents can be justified in overruling the military advice of even their most decorated generals." That lesson continues to apply today, he says. When President Obama receives recommendations from his generals concerning the war in Afghanistan, he "may accept those recommendations, revise them, or reject them entirely." "That is the meaning of the principle of civilian control of the military," Lindsay argues, "and it's what the framers intended when they made the president 'commander-in-chief.'"

[jamesanderton]

Underestimating Truman was a fatal mistake. Under that Missouri haberdashers hat was a man who ordered the nuclear attacks on Japan. Appearances can be deceiving. Only one sheriff in town and Truman made sure everyone knew he wore the badge.

[stefyneyrich]

my great grandfather served both WW1 and WW2, he and Macarthur survived for many years until my great grandfather passed away on November 1st, 1989 at the age of 90. R.I.P. Willard L. Brandt. Thank you all for serving.

[mpralinsky]

Great men have to have egos to drive them to greatness, and also must have other great men to hold their egos in check. I am grateful that the United States had such leaders as Franklin Roosevelt, Douglas MacArthur, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, and George Patton. They were imperfect men, but of human beings we can only expect progress, not perfection. They were the best men for their times.

[alilirara]

"Nuke em'
"No"
"Nuke em'!"
"No!"
"Aw c'mon"
"You're fired"

[firemangan]

In the Philippines we praise McArthur as one of our greatest heroes.

[tvgerbil]

It wasn't Truman that did not listen to the advice of the military. He actually listened to the assessment by the Joint Chiefs rather than that from MacArthur. In the 1951 Senate hearing behind closed door on the dismissal of General MacArthur, the Joint Chiefs disclosed their assessment on the military situation not just on the Korean peninsula but also the European theatre. They roundly criticised General MacArthur's narrow assessment and their conclusion was that direct attacks, conventional or nuclear, on Chinese bases would prompt overwhelming military response from the Soviets and the Chinese army. Also, MacArthur's idea of using the Chinese Nationalist army from Taiwan to attack China was dismissed as impractical. It was the Joint Chiefs' conclusion that a limited war in Korea was in fact more advantageous to the US than to the communists. The transcripts of the hearing were available to public after 1971. It was clear why political support for General MacArthur to run for the presidency disappeared completely after the hearing.

[barnabascollins]

"Civilian control of the Military" is what diffentiates us from many other powerful countries.

[jsinp]

He is certainly the hero of mine, as an immigrant from south korea

[georgiamule]

As great an American patriot that he was, MacArthur had lost his perspective. He had come to believe that he was subordinate to no one. He had become a victim of his own ego. He resented Truman’s audacity in questioning his military advice. He had forgotten a basic principle of our constitutional republic, that the military must be subordinate to civilian authority, the President. Throughout our history, Presidents disregarded their military advisors and made poor military decisions. Truman did the right thing by reining in MacArthur.

[dennismombo]

From Kenya. Truman stands as my best US President. Very humble yet very decisive. America have had the fortune of always having the best president at the best time and Truman was one of them.

[kysersose]

As a career Air Force Officer, We must never forget...The President is the "Commander-in-Chief" of the Untied States Armed Forces. Period.

[halwheeler]

Though I ""hated"" Truman for firing MacArthur at the time ( was 14 years old), and for some years after that, I gradually came to realize that the risks involved in invading mainland China were much to serious to undertake. I know regard Truman as one of our most courageous Presidents. But I still admire MacArthur, especially for his amazing transformation of Japan after the war. I doubt anyone could have done it better, or as well. he the right man in the right place at the right time. the world owes him a great debt of gratitude for his genius.

[idolhanz]

"I fear the day (2020!) when the Chinese achieve their full military potential " General of the Army Douglas MacArthur

[dancingwithczars]

Civilian control of the military is a cornerstone of the American republic. Korea came on the heels of WW2. It was a U.N. intervention in which the U.S. was key player, but America had no appetite for another blood orgy. Truman made the right call.

[jerryumfress]

McArthur was a glory seeker, unlike his dad who was one of the youngest generals in the union army. His dad was brave and heroic, fighting along side his men, his son however was a different story. He was very jealous of his power and would transfer any staff member smarter than himself. Truman did the right thing

[mtx]

MacArthur was a soldier, soldiers are responsible for tactical maneuvers, not making strategic decisions. If DM had gotten his way and marched beyond the Yalu River, pretty sure WW3 would've started immediately between the US and China/USSR at the time, and to prevent this, Truman made the right decision, regardless of it's perceived lack of popularity.

[deadbutmoving]

The President should always have the power to intervene in any and all military matters he/she wants to. He/she should have the power to dismiss any generals he/she wants to at any time. The Presidents is the Commander and Chief of the military and has been chosen by the people for that role.

You can argue about whether or not you agree with certain President's military decisions. But you cannot deny that the President has the right and power to make those decisions.

[성연중-lh]

As a south korean, with great honor to general McArthur, he was greatest hero of all time

[kerriwilson]

Thoughtful & informative. 75 years of hindsight doesn't mean 20/20 vision, but a helpful example to consider facing immediate crises.

[haggis]

The basic issue is not whether MacArthur or Truman was right. The basic issue is the subordination of the military at all times and in all cases to civilian command. Truman was right.