Gen. Douglas MacArthur: ‘Duty, Honor, Country!’
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Supreme
Allied Commander in the Pacific
during World War II. (AP).
Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur (d.1964), who was the Supreme Allied Commander in the Pacific during World War II, and who was in charge of the surrender and post-war occupation of Japan, was relieved of his command in April 1951 by Democratic President Harry S. Truman.
In accepting the Sylvanus Thayer Award on May 12, 1962 at West Point, the five-star general explained the necessity of adhering to “a great moral code — the code of conduct and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land.” This code, he repeatedly noted, could be discerned in three words, “Duty, Honor, Country.” Presented here is Gen. MacArthur’s complete speech — audio and text — from May 12, 1962.
General Westmoreland, General Grove, distinguished guests, and gentlemen of the Corps!
As I was leaving the hotel this morning, a doorman asked me, “Where are you bound for, General?” And when I replied, “West Point,” he remarked, “Beautiful place. Have you ever been there before?”
No human being could fail to be deeply moved by such a tribute as this [Thayer Award]….
