The old soldier who warned against Trump's war
Hubris and an almost-forgotten war
Three months after John F. Kennedy took the oath of office in 1961, the young president traveled to New York to consult the five-star general who had once commanded American forces in Asia.
At 81, Douglas MacArthur was living out retirement with his wife and son in a 10-room apartment on the 37th floor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
The previous Democrat to serve in the White House, Harry S. Truman, had fired MacArthur for voicing his personal views on political matters and clashing with the president’s policies. But JFK, who served in the Pacific as MacArthur had, thought the “old soldier” would be an invaluable counselor. He particularly wanted his advice on sending U.S. troops to fight Communist guerillas in Laos and Vietnam.
There was no doubt in MacArthur’s mind about the right answer. “Anyone wanting to commit ground troops to Asia should have his head examined,” the general said. Instead the U.S. should protect its national security in the Pacific by safeguarding Japan, the Philip…
