TRUMAN FIRES MACARTHUR
MacArthur wanted to bomb/invade China
for entering Korean War
Video of MacArthur's memorable speech to Congress
On this day in 1951, Democrat President Harry Truman fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur and set off a public outcry.
MacArthur had saved South Korea from the North’s invasion through a series of brilliant military tactics and then attacked North Korea in order to wipe out the communist regime. Truman was concerned the Chinese would join the fight on behalf of North Korea, but MacArthur assured Truman this would not happen. Shortly after MacArthur's assurance, 100,000s of thousands of Chinese troops entered North Korea, joined the fight against the U.S., and drove the American forces back into South Korea. MacArthur then asked for permission to bomb China and invade it using Nationalist Chinese troops. Truman refused MacArthur’s request and instead fired him saying he wanted to keep the Korean conflict a “limited war.”
MacArthur returned home to a hero’s welcome and gave his famous speech to Congress in which he said, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”
Douglas MacArthur was the son of Arthur MacArthur, who won the Medal of Honor at the age of 19 for his bravery during the Civil War Battle of Missionary Ridge outside Chattanooga when young Arthur charged to the summit at a critical phase in the battle, planted the regimental flag, and shouted “On, Wisconsin!”.
