MacArthur, Douglas

A general of the twentieth century, who commanded the forces of the Allies in the Pacific region in World War II . When Japanese forces were about to conquer the Philippines , MacArthur was forced to leave, but vowed, “ I shall return .” He did return two years later and drove out the Japanese. After the final defeat of Japan , he supervised the occupation of that country by the Allies and helped revise the Japanese constitution . During the Korean War , he commanded troops of the United Nations but was removed as commander by President Harry S. Truman . ( See Truman-MacArthur controversy .)