MacArthur: The Strange General

Douglas MacArthur is remembered as one of the greatest generals in American history.

For us Japanese, it is also a symbol of defeat and the postwar period. The memorable scene of MacArthur landing at Atsugi after the war, holding a pipe in his mouth, has been repeatedly used in various media.

His numerous military achievements and his record of radically reforming Japan as Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers make him appear to be a typical military stern man. There is certainly that side to him, but is that really all there is to the man known as Douglas MacArthur?

In fact, MacArthur's appearance when he arrived in Atsugi was cleverly orchestrated by him.
MacArthur slowly disembarked without a jacket, with the top button undone and a pipe in his mouth, and walked down the stairs, his eyes fixed on the sky. His appearance perfectly portrayed the attitude of a new leader, befitting a moment that would go down in history.

Yes, he was not just a soldier, but he also aspired to be a hero, and he possessed the essential elements of a hero: a desire for honor, charisma, romanticism, and an Oedipus complex.

Born into a high-ranking military family, MacArthur recalled learning to ride a horse and shoot before he could read or write, but until he was about eight, his mother made him wear dresses and groomed his long, curly hair.

He then entered the United States Military Academy, where his strange relationship with his mother continued. She moved into a hotel suite near the school, accompanying her son and sometimes interfering with him. MacArthur and his mother held a deep special regard for each other. Some say he was a "mama's boy." The strong bond between mother and son continued throughout his life and had a great influence on him.

It is not difficult to imagine his bright career as he graduates and embarks on a path to becoming a future United States Army Marshal.
Eager to excel on the battlefield, he fought in World War I, and despite being Chief of Staff, he went to the front lines himself, earning him acclaim for his courageous and courageous attitude.

What impressed people at this time was his unique appearance, highlighting his military achievements and bravery.

Interestingly, he always wore military uniforms that ignored regulations. Even on the front lines, he never wore a helmet or gas mask, and always wore his trademark military cap, as well as a long scarf over two meters long that his mother had knitted for him, a riding crop, and other items that attracted attention. He also sometimes wore a fur coat.
There is even an anecdote that he was mistaken for a German general because of his appearance and was taken prisoner by friendly forces.

Whether we see this as a case of self-promotion or a flashy, attention-seeking personality will determine how we view MacArthur. In any case, he was both talented and a bit of an outsider.

After the war, he continued to build a successful career, displaying his radical attitude as the principal of the United States Military Academy and commander of the Manila District in the Philippines, and in 1930 he arrived in Washington as Chief of Staff of the Army.

His behavior during his time in Washington was enough to make his arrogant attitude known to those around him.

He returned home every day by horseback to have lunch with his mother, who was of course accompanying him, and in his study he would fan himself with a kimono and smoke a cigarette in a jeweled cigar case. It was around this time that he began to refer to himself in the third person, that is, "MacArthur," perhaps following the example of Julius Caesar.

His romanticism remained unchanged even during the brutal New Guinea campaign during World War II. He is said to have wandered around his headquarters in the jungle wearing a kimono and smoking a pipe, biting into whole heads of lettuce he had ordered.

Even after the war, his unique aesthetic sense continued to perplex those around him. The American Embassy residence where he lived had to be restored after war damage. He ordered furniture, fixtures, silverware, and the customary jeweled cigar cases from all over the world, and employed Japanese craftsmen to turn it into a luxurious mansion to his own tastes. Even toys for his son were made from silver and ivory, and his servants wore kimonos bearing the American coat of arms.

Throughout his career, he was sometimes so flamboyant that he was mistaken for an enemy officer, and sometimes so unassuming that he was ridiculed as being no different from a 19-year-old recruit. He dared to break the rules within the strict rules of the military, and stuck to his own way even in the harshness of war. He was obsessed with being a hero, as he saw fit. Was he an arrogant poseur, or a hero worthy of history? What makes him special is the lonely and beautiful world that lies behind his brilliant military achievements.