Any historians on here?

[JerryBaumchen 1,457]

Hi out there,

A good many years ago I read 'AMERICAN CAESAR' by Wm. Manchester. It is a biography of Douglas MacArthur. In it ( IIRC ) he mentions that MacArthur was the 2nd highest graduating cadet from West Point, & that Rob't. E. Lee was the highest graduating cadet.

Earlier this week I watched a PBS program/biography of Rob't. E. Lee and they showed a 'document' that showed that Lee was 2nd in his class.

So that begs the question: Where does MacArthur stand among West Point graduates? I do know that MacArthur's mother moved into an apartment across the street so that she could keep the pressure on him during his time there.

Anyone out there know for sure as to what MacArthur's standing really is?

Thanks,

JerryBaumchen

[warpedskydiver 0]

I really don't know, but dugout Doug was derelict in his duties at Corregidor.

He hid in his hotel room as his troops were encircled.

He did not even give them a chance to break out and fight as irregulars

IMHO he should have been shot.

Chester Nimitz was the true brains behind the war in the Pacific.

[theonlyski 8]

Wasn't twardo the janitor then?

Ask him.

"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly
DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890
I'm an asshole, and I approve this message

[warpedskydiver 0]

http://www.usma.edu/notablegrads.asp

Ask them, they are the authority on this matter.

[squirrel 0]

I read somewhere that the "return to the phillipines" was shot several times to get it "right." so, what does that tell you?

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[Andy9o8 2]

I read that book a few months ago. A great read. I'm pretty sure MacArthur was the second-best WP graduate and Lee was first; but it's late, I'll look it up tomorrow after a 7-hour nap.

[Muffie 0]

Quote

Earlier this week I watched a PBS program/biography of Rob't. E. Lee and they showed a 'document' that showed that Lee was 2nd in his class.

I found confirmation that Lee was 2nd in his class on the West Point website. They don't mention where MacArthur was in his own graduating class. Maybe it has something to do with # of demerits since Lee had none?
http://www.usma.edu/PublicAffairs/Press_Kit_files/SelectedNoteworthyGrads.htm

[Roxxx 0]

Husband is... but he never posts.

[freethefly 6]

Found this by Googling "what was Douglas MacArthur's class standing at west point"
It's well worth reading. Very interesting.
http://sites.communitylink.org/mac/class1903.html

Quote

MacArthur lived up to his dream and today is still considered one of the finest cadets the Academy has ever seen. Graduating number one in his class with the rank of First Captain, Corps of Cadets, MacArthur embarked on a career that saw him as one of the youngest Brigadier Generals in World War I, the youngest superintendent of West Point in 1919, the youngest U.S. Army Chief of Staff in 1930, Supreme Commander Southwest Pacific Area during World War II, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in Japan, and Commander-in-Chief United Nations Forces during the Korean War. Of his classmates, MacArthur had the longest career and earned the most honors and decorations. Though MacArthur may overshadow them, his service was no more dedicated than the majority of his 1903 classmates.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[JerryBaumchen 1,457]

Hi folks,

Looks like the answer still eludes us.

The 'noteable grads' site had this:

JOHN J. “BLACKJACK” PERSHING - and was named General of the Armies of the United States by Congress upon his retirement in 1924.

And this:

DOUGLAS MACARTHUR - He was one of only five officers to be promoted to General of the Army (five stars).

I understand that Pershing is the only officer ever to be promoted to 6 stars. The 6 stars are 5 arranged in a circle with the 6th being in the center. The 6 stars are what you get when you are General of the Armies ( note plural ).

As for the historians on here: Don't give up we need this information.

JerryBaumchen

PS) Andy908 - AMERICAN CAESAR is my 2nd favorite book of all time. He was an egotist, very self-centered, and a lot of other negative things. But he was a great general; quite possibly the best military strategist we have ever known.