15. MacArthur’s Medal of Honor was awarded as counter-propaganda
Marshall explained to Eisenhower, at the time serving as his aide, that the Medal of Honor was awarded to MacArthur to counter expected propaganda issued by the Japanese and Germans. There was general concern over the effect the loss of the Philippines would have on American morale. The defeat in the Philippines was the largest ever inflicted on the United States Army, and coming on the heels of the Pearl Harbor disaster was devastating. The United States had already adopted the war strategy of focusing on the defeat of Germany first. There was at the time no means of striking at Germany. Isolationism was still a force. A morale boost was needed, provided by MacArthur’s award.
When MacArthur was evacuated from Corregidor, Jonathan Wainwright was left behind in command of the defense. Wainwright was forced to surrender in May as the remaining defensive positions in the islands were overrun, and spent the remainder of the war in Japanese prison camps. Wainwright was known as a fighting general, often found at the front in foxholes and slit trenches alongside his troops. After his surrender in 1942, he was recommended for the Medal of Honor. It was vociferously opposed by Douglas MacArthur, who argued that it was neither deserved nor served any purpose as regarded as morale. It was finally awarded at the end of the war, overriding MacArthur’s objections.
