MacArthur Evacuates the Philippines

Remember when MacArthur was ordered to evacuate the Philippines last month? Well, today, 70 years ago, he actually did. Under the cover of night, MacArthur, along with his family and staff were transported from the Philippine Islands by PT boat, then plane, and then train. Though his “I shall return” catchphrase originated from a speech he made in the small railroad town of Terowie in southern Australia, he repeated the speech many times over. Supposedly, leadership in the States had asked that he change the “I” to “We,” but MacArthur ignored the request. In April, he would assume the post of Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area and continue the fight for the Pacific from there. He fulfilled his promise to return to the Philippines in late 1944 and became a hero to Filipinos who had been living under ruthless Japanese occupation for years.

This post by Curator Meg Roussel