MacArthur Memorial

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

Today, the MacArthur Memorial and the General MacArthur Foundation commemorated the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II and celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Jean MacArthur Research and Education Center (JMREC)!

09/02/2026

Today, the MacArthur Memorial and the General MacArthur Foundation commemorated the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II and celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Jean MacArthur Research and Education Center (JMREC)!

This marks a major milestone in transforming the MacArthur Memorial campus. The Memorial houses one of the world’s most significant public collections related to the Philippine-American War, World War I, World War II, the Occupation of Japan, the Korean War, and the life and legacy of General MacArthur and those who served with him. The new JMREC—named in honor of Jean MacArthur—will provide modern, world class protection for these holdings and expand opportunities for students, educators, researchers, veterans, military families, and the public to connect with this history.

Director Amanda Williams shared: “JMREC marks a new era for the Memorial—a generational commitment to preserving history and strengthening education and public access.”

Maj Gen Joseph Reynes, USAF (Ret.), added: “This groundbreaking is an investment in history and education and reflects the values of Duty, Honor, Country that shaped the MacArthurs. We’re excited for what this new chapter means for our community.”

Learn more about this project: https://macarthurmemorial.org/681/The-Jean-MacArthur-Research-Center-and-L

09/01/2026

On this day 75 years ago, Australia, New Zealand, and the US signed the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty, or ANZUS Treaty. The pact includes a mutual defense agreement and requires each nation to consult with the others on security measures in the Pacific. The pact was established at the beginning of the era in which the US sought to prevent the spread of communism and maintain the security of the Pacific against threats, and remains in affect to this day.

08/31/2026

On this day 81 years ago, Generals Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright reunited at the New Grand Hotel in Yokohama, Japan, three years after they were separated during the fall of Corregidor. Following the collapse of the Allied position in early 1942, Wainwright oversaw the retreat to Bataan under War Plan Orange while MacArthur relocated to Corregidor. By February, President Roosevelt ordered MacArthur to depart for Australia, leaving Wainwright in charge of Luzon and General Edward King in command of Bataan, where over 70,000 troops were eventually surrendered to Japanese General Masaharu Homma. Wainwright made the difficult decision to surrender all American forces in the Philippines and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner, enduring freezing temperatures, abuse, and starvation. Despite being nominated for the Medal of Honor in 1942 for his endurance under captivity, MacArthur opposed the award due to the surrender of the Philippines. Wainwright was freed on August 24, 1945, by the Russian Red Army and OSS agents at a POW camp in Manchuria. During their reunion on August 31st, MacArthur insisted Wainwright stand behind him aboard the USS Missouri during Japan’s formal surrender and gave him one of the six pens used to sign the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. Wainwright later returned to the Philippines to receive the surrender of Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamash*ta. Upon returning to the US, President Truman surprised him with the Medal of Honor on September 10, 1945. He was also promoted to four-star general and appointed commanding general of the Eastern Defense Command at Fort Jay on Governors Island, New York.

08/30/2026

On this day in 1905, Ty Cobb made his major league baseball debut as the center fielder for the Detroit Tigers. At 18, he was the youngest player in the league and began making a name for himself. As a rookie, his veteran teammates hazed him by verbally abusing him, smashing his bats, and even nailing his cleats in the clubhouse. He later admitted these experiences caused his hostile temperament. In 1906, he set the record for the highest batting average at 19, which was later beaten in 1928 by Mel Ott. He helped lead the Tigers to the American League pennants in 1907, 1908, and 1909; however, they would lose all three championships. One of his most well-known MLB records was accomplished in a single game when he stole second, third, and home after reaching first. He accomplished this 4 times during his career and still holds the record. Cobb would play 24 seasons in the MLB, playing 22 years with the Detroit Tigers, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936 with a 98.2% vote (highest percentage until 1992). Ty Cobb is considered one of the greatest baseball players, and General Douglas MacArthur would agree. MacArthur was a huge baseball fan and admired Ty Cobb for his competitiveness and need to be successful. MacArthur showed this admiration by writing the foreword for Ty Cobb’s autobiography.

Did you know? Ty Cobb is hidden in our museum exhibits as part of our Brick Figure Scavenger Hunt! Come find him and 11 other figures from history during opening hours Tues-Sat from 10-5!

08/30/2026

The latest features a lecture by Professor Erwin Tiongson about Philippine-American heritage and history in Washington, DC.
Listen to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1618177/episodes/19718794

08/30/2026

In December 1944, as General Douglas MacArthur continued the invasion of the Philippines, Admiral William “Bull” Halsey’s Third Fleet was caught in a violent typhoon that capsized ships, resulted in the loss of hundreds of sailors, and set in motion extraordinary acts of courage and survival. In the latest , Tom Clavin, co-author of Halsey’s Typhoon, joined us to discuss the storm, the decisions that shaped the disaster, and the admiral MacArthur called “the greatest sailor of the age.”
Listen to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1618177/episodes/19707721