Did MacArthur deserve the Medal of Honor?

[agedman]

After reading this, please consider your answer.
I got this off Quora, https://qr.ae/pGdWow

The Medal of Honor is for acts of valor. In the Philippines MacArthur allowed the islands to be overrun and hid in a bunker until he fled.

Eisenhower pointed out that MacArthur had not actually performed any acts of valor as required by law.

Nonetheless, Marshall gave the order for MacArthur to receive the medal. He instructed General Richard Sutherland to recommend the award and drafted the citation himself.

The requirements for the Medal of Honor in certain cases can be waived by Congress, such as the unmet requirement to perform conspicuous gallantry "above and beyond the call of duty". George Marshall admitted to the Secretary of War the defect. Marshall acknowledged that "there is no specific act of General MacArthur's to justify the award of the Medal of Honor under a literal interpretation of the statutes". So they used a non- literal interpretation of the statute.

Then juxtapose this against the manner that Jonathan Wainwright was treated. He led the troops after MacArthur fled. He was the highest ranking American POW in the Pacific. He was starved while in captivity and his health was broken. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor early in his captivity, in 1942. But his nominated was rejected. Why? It was rejected due to the vocal and strident opposition of General MacArthur, who felt that Corregidor should not have been surrendered. Sterner, C. Douglas. "Family Feud – A Tale of Two Generals"

. Pueblo, Colorado
. MacArthur, who received the Medal of Honor for fleeing, opposed the Medal of Honor being awarded to the man who stayed and fought.


Fortunately, in 1945, General Wainwright was awarded the Medal of Honor.​

 

[Reynolds]

After reading this, please consider your answer.
I got this off Quora, https://qr.ae/pGdWow

The Medal of Honor is for acts of valor. In the Philippines MacArthur allowed the islands to be overrun and hid in a bunker until he fled.

Eisenhower pointed out that MacArthur had not actually performed any acts of valor as required by law.

Nonetheless, Marshall gave the order for MacArthur to receive the medal. He instructed General Richard Sutherland to recommend the award and drafted the citation himself.

The requirements for the Medal of Honor in certain cases can be waived by Congress, such as the unmet requirement to perform conspicuous gallantry "above and beyond the call of duty". George Marshall admitted to the Secretary of War the defect. Marshall acknowledged that "there is no specific act of General MacArthur's to justify the award of the Medal of Honor under a literal interpretation of the statutes". So they used a non- literal interpretation of the statute.

Then juxtapose this against the manner that Jonathan Wainwright was treated. He led the troops after MacArthur fled. He was the highest ranking American POW in the Pacific. He was starved while in captivity and his health was broken. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor early in his captivity, in 1942. But his nominated was rejected. Why? It was rejected due to the vocal and strident opposition of General MacArthur, who felt that Corregidor should not have been surrendered. Sterner, C. Douglas. "Family Feud – A Tale of Two Generals"

. Pueblo, Colorado
. MacArthur, who received the Medal of Honor for fleeing, opposed the Medal of Honor being awarded to the man who stayed and fought.


Fortunately, in 1945, General Wainwright was awarded the Medal of Honor.​

Correct if wrong. In college, I studied the European theatre, not the Pacific. By my recollection he was ordered to leave the Island. Formally objected to the order, but was ordered to leave over his objection.

 

[Marooncat79]

Correct if wrong. In college, I studied the European theatre, not the Pacific. By my recollection he was ordered to leave the Island. Formally objected to the order, but was ordered to leave over his objection.

I was thinking that as well

 

[AustinC]

Funny, I thought the OP was taling about John MacArthur with the title.

 

[tyndale1946]

If what agedman says is true I say no... And I had the honor of serving with one who was... Does he deserve The Medal Of Honor?... Brother Glen

Jimmie E. Howard - Home of Heroes

 

[Aaron]

Quora. That's all ya need to know.

 

[agedman]

Quora. That's all ya need to know.

Did you click on the link and see who authored the post I copied and pasted?

 

[agedman]

If what agedman says is true I say no... And I had the honor of serving with one who was... Does he deserve The Medal Of Honor?... Brother Glen

Jimmie E. Howard - Home of Heroes

I didn’t make the original , but copied and pasted it from the link. I have no facts nor opinion.

I would consider if the post is true, then the honor was stolen (imo).

Wonder if it bothered him considering the West Point training?

 

[agedman]

Why would MacArthur object to a man who stayed and fought getting the Medal of Honor?

 

[rsr]

Because it made him look bad. MacAthur's subordinates were not allowed in the spotlight. That's one reason the ETO commanders are better known than their Pacific counterparts.