Why MacArthur Ignored Every Order From Washington - And Never Got Court-Martialled скачать в хорошем качестве

Why MacArthur Ignored Every Order From Washington - And Never Got Court-Martialled

April 1951, Pentagon. General Omar Bradley read MacArthur's latest cable from Korea. His voice flat, controlled: "I have been directed to make no further advances without authorization. This directive makes no military sense. I am advancing as operational circumstances permit. "Bradley set down the paper: "That's a direct refusal of presidential orders. Three weeks ago, we ordered MacArthur not to cross the 38th parallel without authorization. He crossed it yesterday." Admiral Sherman: "How many times has he ignored direct orders?" Bradley didn't need to check: "Seventeen documented instances since January. "Secretary of Defense George Marshall: "Any other general would be court-martialled for one of these. MacArthur has committed seventeen." The question: Why wasn't MacArthur court-martialled? The answer reveals something most don't understand—Washington didn't tolerate his insubordination because they were weak. They tolerated it because court-martialing MacArthur would cost more than tolerating him. September 1944, MacArthur received orders from the Joint Chiefs: "Prepare for operations against Formosa. Philippines operations postponed indefinitely." MacArthur's response: "I am proceeding with Philippines liberation as previously planned." Joint Chiefs: "You are ordered to halt Philippines planning and redirect to Formosa." MacArthur: "Philippines operation is essential to American honor. I am continuing preparations. "Then MacArthur went public—leaked to reporters that Washington wanted to abandon the Philippines. Press ran: "MacArthur Fights to Liberate Philippines While Washington Abandons Them." Public pressure mounted. Roosevelt called the Joint Chiefs: "Give MacArthur the Philippines. It's not worth the political fight." MacArthur had just refused a direct order, gone over his superiors' heads to press and Congress—and won. October 1950, MacArthur received orders: "Halt at 38th parallel. Do not advance into North Korea without authorization. Avoid provoking Chinese intervention." MacArthur ignored it. His forces crossed the 38th parallel. Advanced toward the Yalu River. The Chinese border. Joint Chiefs sent urgent messages: "Halt advance. You are not authorized to approach Chinese border." MacArthur: "Military situation requires pursuit. Am advancing." Truman called a meeting: "MacArthur is violating direct orders. Why isn't he being relieved?" Dean Acheson: "Because he's Douglas MacArthur. If you fire him, Republicans will impeach you." Marshall: "And because he's winning. The public doesn't care about orders when the general is winning. "November 1950, MacArthur's forces reached the Yalu River. China entered the war—300,000 Chinese troops drove American forces back. MacArthur blamed Washington, told reporters: "I was not allowed to bomb Chinese staging areas. Washington tied my hands." This was a lie. MacArthur had ignored orders to stay away from the border, created the crisis, then blamed his superiors. December 1950, Truman issued a direct written order signed by the president: "General MacArthur is directed to make no public statements regarding military operations or policy without prior approval from the Department of Defense." A gag order. Unprecedented. MacArthur acknowledged receipt. Then ignored it. January 1951, MacArthur gave an interview to U.S. News and World Report criticizing administration policy, arguing for expanding the war into China—direct violation of presidential orders. Truman to Marshall: "He just violated my direct order. In writing. Publicly. Why can't I court-martial him?" Marshall's answer: "Because MacArthur has support of Republicans, conservative Democrats, most of the press. If you court-martial him, they'll call it political persecution. SOURCES: Wikipedia - "Relief of Douglas MacArthur" - April 11, 1951 relief, Truman: "I was ready to kick him into the North China Sea," March 1951 ultimatum to Chinese violated December directive Truman Library - "The Firing of MacArthur" - "Not the first time the general had ignored direct orders," MacArthur home by Christmas prediction, crossed 38th parallel AEI/Smithsonian - "Why Truman Fired MacArthur" - Bradley worried "past orders had perhaps been too vague, then when ignored, not enforced," history of disregarding authority since 1932 Bonus March Military.com - "Why President Truman Fired MacArthur" - April 5, 1951 Operation Rugged greenlight without consulting Washington, Wake Island meeting October 1950 National Archives - "'You're Fired!'" - Letter to Joseph Martin House Republican leader read on House floor, calls for Truman impeachment, Congressional hearings UPI Archives - "MacArthur is Removed" - "Unable to give wholehearted support to US government policies," 1 AM White House press conference April 11