Mark Perry has written a longish column for Politico Magazine arguing for a reappraisal of General Douglas MacArthur. As Perry notes, many hold an undeserved low opinion of this larger-than-life military leader.
COTTonLINE is of the opinion that MacArthur is underrated, that he achieved much during World War II with relatively little support from Washington. MacArthur's Pacific victories were achieved with fewer-than-normal American casualties, being both tactically and strategically brilliant.
His activities as the American satrap in post-war Japan laid the groundwork for the success that Japan subsequently experienced. If his actions as commander in the Korean War were equivocal, that may have been because it was the first war the U.S. did not try to win, preferring to fight to a draw.
