Sold – Harry Truman: I Fired Macarthur for Insubordination

North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950 starting the Korean War. General Douglas MacArthur led an American-dominated UN coalition in the defense of the South and in the subsequent counter-offensive that out-flanked the North Korean army, forcing it to retreat northward in disarray. UN forces pursued them all the way through North Korea and eventually approached its Yalu River border with the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese had warned that they would become involved rather than watch the North Koreans be defeated and have an enemy military on their border. During a trip to Wake Island to meet with President Truman early in the war, MacArthur was specifically asked about Chinese involvement; he said he did not believe that the Chinese would invade. However, on November 19, 1950, Chinese military forces did just that, crossing the Yalu River, routing the UN forces and forcing them on a long retreat. MacArthur repeatedly requested authorization to launch a full-scale war against China by striking supplies, troops, and airplanes in the Chinese homeland with conventional weapons and also requested permission to deploy nuclear weapons in Korea. The Truman administration feared that such an action would greatly escalate the war and possibly draw China’s ally, the Soviet Union, in as well. Angered by Truman’s desire to maintain a “limited war,” MacArthur began issuing statements to the press, warning them of a crushing defeat if his advice was not followed. 

In March 1951, after a U.S.-led counterattack again turned the tide of the war in the UN’s favor, Truman alerted MacArthur of his intention to initiate cease-fire talks. Such news ended any hopes the general had retained of leading a full-scale war against China, and MacArthur quickly issued his own ultimatum to China. MacArthur’s declaration threatened the expansion of the war, and was, by his own aide’s later admission, ‘designed to undercut’ Truman’s negotiating position. At the same time, MacArthur continued to advocate an expansion of the war by communicating directly with like-minded Republican congressmen, who then pressed for such action in the press. These acts violated the U.S. Army’s tradition of civilian control over the military and foreign policy and were considered acts of insubordination. On April 11, 1951 President Truman, with the backing of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as the Secretaries of State and Defense, relieved General MacArthur of his military command and replaced him with Gen. Matthew Ridgway, a commander who would act in concert with the administration’s foreign policy.  The move resulted in a firestorm of criticism, and Truman and his supporters were besieged by angry Americans who saw MacArthur as a bastion against Communism and his replacement as some kind of surrender.

Truman believed his actions were fully  justified and here explains why in a clear and unambiguous fashion.

Typed Letter Signed on White House letterhead, Washington, April 18, 1951, to Florida Democratic Congressman William Lantaff. “It was very thoughtful of you to let me see a copy of the letter you are sending to your constituents who protest the removal of General MacArthur from command in the Far East. I am sure that everyone who stops to think will understand that under the Constitution military commanders are subordinate to top civil authority. I am glad that you are taking the interest and time to clarify the reasons for the dismissal to those who are confused.” There are some small age spots on the letter.

Truman was widely condemned then, but time has resulted in his justification. Historians consider that

MacArthur was unacceptably insubordinate and the President right to fend off anything resembling a military challenge to civilian control of the U.S. government. This is our first letter of Truman explaining why he fired MacArthur.