General Douglas MacArthur And His Dimples

General Douglas MacArthur And His Dimples

         I learned much about General Douglas McArthur in school.  He was the general wearing Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses and was always photographed with a corncob pipe.  He was the Commanding General of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) when the combined American and Philippine troops took their last stand in Bataan and Corregidor.  After uttering that famous line "I shall return", he made good his escape to Australia.

General Douglas MacArthur wearing his favorite Aviators (Life photo; caption is mine)

The Fall of Corregidor Island on May 6, 1942. Photo shows American and Filipino soldiers being held captive by Japanese soldiers. (wiki; caption is mine)

The ruins of Corregidor Island after the Battle of Corregidor in 1942 (wiki)

Japanese soldiers rejoice after the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942. (wiki; caption is mine)

         And he did return to the Philippines after more than 2 years. Leading the American forces that landed in Palo, Leyte one day in October of 1944, he made that historic landing more dramatic with his statement: "People of the Philippines, I have returned. By the grace of the Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil." He and his men then liberated Manila and other key areas from the Japanese Imperial Army. He became a hero to every Filipino then, receiving endless accolades and adulations. A long highway in Central Luzon was named after him.  Today, MacArthur Highway remains as one of the most passable highways of the Philippines.

The American Forces under General MacArthur approaching Leyte in October, 1944 (wiki; caption is mine)

The American Forces under General MacArthur land at Palo, Leyte in October, 1944. (visitpinas; caption is mine)

General MacArthur accepts the official surrender of Japan on board the USS Missouri. (g'gle; caption is mine) 

General MacArthur was one of the heroes of WWII.

          When he was appointed as military adviser to the Philippine Commonwealth, an entire floor of the plush Manila Hotel was reserved exclusively for his use. It was his residence for several years. Today, there is still a MacArthur Suite at that 5-star hotel near Manila Bay. Life-size figures in Tacloban, Leyte depict his historic landing in 1944. There is also a McArthur Bridge in Sta.Cruz, Manila. General MacArthur Academy in Bulacan was named after the famous General.

The Leyte Landing Memorial in Tacloban Leyte (taclobanhotel.com; caption is mine)

The MacArthur Suite at the plush Manila Hotel (manilahotel.com; caption is mine)

Sta. Cruz Bridge in Manila was renamed MacArthur Bridge. (pagenation; caption is mine)

The MacArthur Monument near MacArthur Bridge (wikimapia)

            What I didn't learn in school was that General Douglas McArthur had "Dimples". My history teachers, from grade school to college, didn't tell me that. It was only from my barber that I learned that General MacArthur had "Dimples".  Dimples, here, refers to a lady named Elizabeth Cooper, a Filipina-Scottish beauty who was a vaudeville dancer and part-time actress. The General met Dimples in Manila in 1930, fell in love with her and took her as mistress. Douglas was then Chief of all US troops based in the Philippine Islands. The Philippines, at that time, was under American rule. 

Isabella Rosario Cooper or Elizabeth Cooper (findagrave.com)

Framed photo of Elizabeth Rosario Cooper, nicknamed Dimples (ionart; caption is mine)

            Dimples was then 15 years old while Douglas was in his early 50s. When MacArthur flew back to the States, he took Dimples with him. Dimples was kept in an apartment in Washington, D.C. where MacArthur worked as Chief of Staff of the US Army. She was not allowed to go out as it was supposed to be a secret affair. The general didn't want others to get wind of their relationship as it was a ground for disciplinary action. He was a divorcee then. And he knew that his old mother would not allow it. Douglas was a mama's boy.

Douglas MacArthur married divorcee Louise Cromwell Brooks in 1922. They divorced in 1929.  Louise was one of Washington's most beautiful women. She was also rich. (g'gle; caption is mine)

General Douglas MacArthur's mother, Mary "Pinkney" Hardy. (macarthur memorial; caption is mine)

           When boredom was starting to creep in, Dimples was demanding that her family be allowed to stay in the United States. She kept badgering him about it. And when two journalists threatened to expose the scandalous affair, MacArthur felt the pressure all the more. He gave Dimples a plane ticket for her return trip to Manila. The general wanted to end it all. But Dimples had another plan. She didn't fly back to the Philippines.  She traveled to the midwest and stayed there for years before settling in California.  Nothing was heard of Dimples from then on until 1960 when news came out that she committed suicide.  She had an overdose of barbiturates. And what about the general?  MacArthur married Jean Faircloth in 1937 when he was serving as military adviser to the Philippine government.

Douglas MacArthur married Jean Faircloth in 1937.  At this time, he was military affairs adviser to the Philippine Commonwealth gov't. He was also Field Marshall of the Philippine Army. He was recalled to active duty in the US Army in 1941. (nightscribe pic; caption is mine)

Jean and Douglas MacArthur (historic images)

General MacArthur with wife Jean and son Arthur IV visiting the Philippines in 1950 (g'gle; caption is mine)

          Now, all these years that Dimples was staying in California, was there a time that she met the illustrious general? Did they meet for old times' sake?  Wait, let me ask my barber.  He certainly knows. And then I'll let you know. Okay?

- Konted

General MacArhur's memorabilia (macarthur memorial)

General MacArthur's staff car in Tokyo (nepaidpascores)

President Quezon provided General MacArthur with a service vehicle with plate #1 while the General was serving as adviser to the Phil. Government. The vintage car is now on display at Baler Park.  (timawa pic; caption is mine.)

_____________________________

Most pics/pertinent details from google

General Antonio Luna: Death in the Afternoon

General Antonio Luna:  Death in the Afternoon

              

              The Prey.  General Antonio Luna was regarded by many as the most brilliant military officer during the Philippine-American War. Educated at the Ateneo de Manila and at a prestigious university in Spain and later trained in military tactics,  he was the commander of the Philippine Revolutionary Army.  Having a reputation as an ambitious general, the camp of then President Emilio Aguinaldo became insecure when unfounded rumors were spreading that General Luna and his men would launch a coup d etat to seize control of the revolutionary government.

General Antonio Luna was the most brilliant Filipino military officer during the Phil-Am War. (Google photo)

              The Bait.  A telegram supposedly from President Aguinaldo was received by General Luna who was at a military post in Bayambang, Pangasinan. He was instructed to attend a conference on June 5,1899 at the revolutionary government headquarters in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. Being unofficially groomed as the next Prime Minister and Secretary of War, General Antonio Luna traveled in high spirits with 25 of his trusted men. They arrived at Cabanatuan on the afternoon of June 5.  Most of his men stayed at the outskirts of the town.  Only Colonel Paco Roman and Captain Eduardo Rusca  were with him when he entered the town proper.

President Emilio Aguinaldo allegedly sent a telegram to General Luna, asking him to attend a conference to be held in Cabanatuan on June 5, 1899. (Google photo)

              The Trap.  General Luna entered the convent  while his two military escorts stayed outside.  Upon learning that President Aguinaldo was not in the convent and was actually in another town of Nueva Ecija, the fiery General, in a fit of anger, began shouting and berating some of the soldiers.  He slapped one. He then proceeded to the upper floor and met Felipe Buencamino who was the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.  At odds with each other, a shouting match ensued.  Then a shot rang out outside, drawing the General's attention. Unknowingly, he had fallen into the trap.

When General Luna arrived at the convent, President Aguinaldo was not there.  Only Felipe Buencamino, then Foreign Affairs Secretary, was present.  General Luna and Buencamino had a shouting match. (Phil-Am War photo)

               The Hitmen.  Soldiers of the Kawit battalion loyal to President Aguinaldo were reportedly tasked to carry out the secret plan. They were the same soldiers who refused to heed General Luna's order to attack during an offensive in Caloocan. They were explicitly showing acts of insubordination.  And their hatred for General Luna was known by fellow soldiers. Once, they were disarmed by the general.  If they wanted to get even, then that was the appropriate time.

Old photo of a typical battalion of Filipino revolutionary soldiers. (wiki)

            The Actual Execution.  As General Luna was going down the stairs of the convent, Colonel Pedro Janolino, head of the Cavite battalion, drew near him and suddenly began hacking him. Other soldiers drew boloes and knives and stabbed the outnumbered general in different parts of the body. Somebody shot him too.  Colonel Roman and Captain Rusca came to his rescue but the two were also fired upon, with Roman dying on the spot and Rusca seriously injured.  Though critically wounded, General Luna managed to walk several meters to the open plaza.  He was staggering and very weak.  With a drawn gun, he was holding the intestines that protruded out of his abdomen.  Just before he expired, the brave general shouted:  Cowards !!!!

Arrow points to the exact spot where General Luna was attacked by Colonel Pedro Janolino and his men.  At left is photo of  Colonel Roman. (Phil-Am War photo)

Colonel Pedro Janolino (right) who suddenly attacked General Luna with a bolo. (Google photo)

A standard bolo used by Filipino revolutionaries.  General Luna was hacked by Colonel Janolino and his men.  He was also shot.  (wikimapia)

               The Aftermath.  President Aguinaldo denied accusations that he had something to do with the General's death. General Luna was buried the next day.  All his officers and followers were relieved of their official duties to prevent a counter attack.  Most of General Luna's men were demoralized and, as a result, withdrew from the revolutionary army. The Kawit soldiers were not censured or punished and most of the pro-Aguinaldo soldiers  were appeased upon learning of the death of the General.  A threat to Aguinaldo's leadership had been eliminated. After Bonifacio, it was General Luna. The two died in the hands of their compatriots.  

                                                         

Statue of General Antonio Luna at Plaza Lucero in Cabanatuan City.  Plaza Lucero is the exact site where General Luna died. (D.P.S.A.photo)

The San Francisco Call account of General Luna's death. (Phil-Am War photo)

                                                                                                          - Konted

*all pics / specific details from google

Andres Bonifacio: Matapang Na Tao

Andres Bonifacio: Matapang Na Tao

            

           Do not engage the enemy or rival on his own turf. This is one tenet with which political leaders, military strategists, sports mentors and even management specialists usually subscribe to and apply in their work. Apparently, nationalist Andres Bonifacio ignored this.  Or he was too confident that he had the support and loyalty of majority of those present at the Tejeros Convention.

The Convention was held at Casa Hacienda de Tejeros in Rosario, Cavite.  It was a friar estate house.

           Though not part of the agenda, the revolutionaries from the Magdalo and Magdiwang factions of Cavite decided to elect officers of a new revolutionary government at the Tejeros Convention on March 22, 1897.  Bonifacio was present yet he allowed it to take place. He was the Supremo of the Katipunan and that organization was still recognized nationwide.  There was no need to set up a new government.  Yet Bonifacio allowed the elections to take place.  He even presided. And the venue was Cavite and those present were mostly Cavitenos. This transpired about three months after the execution of Jose Rizal.

Though not present during the Convention, General Emilio Aguinaldo challenged Andres Bonifacio for the presidency..

          The Magdalo group was identified with Emilio Aguinaldo and the Magdiwang faction was supposedly pro-Bonifacio.  Aguinaldo and Bonifacio were contesting the presidency. Before the actual voting took place, Bonifacio was even warned that it could be rigged. There were 265 voters, mostly from Cavite.  After the tabulation, here were the results: Aguinaldo- 146, Bonifacio- 80, Trias- 30. Many Magdiwang supporters of Bonifacio voted for Aguinaldo instead. Next to be elected was General Mariano Trias of Cavite as Vice President.  Bonifacio was elected as Secretary of the Interior.

Candidate	Party	Results
		Votes	%
Emilio Aguinaldo	Magdalo Party	146	57.03%
Andrés Bonifacio	Magdiwang Party	80	31.25%
Mariano Trías	Magdalo Party	30	11.72%
Valid votes		256	100.00%
Votes cast		256	100.00%
Registered voters		256	100.00%

                                             Results of the election for President

         
          But his election to the post as Secretary of Interior was even questioned by another Caviteno, Daniel Tirona, who argued that Bonifacio was not qualified.  Humiliated, Bonifacio drew his pistol and was about to shoot Tirona but he was subdued by a supporter. Then Bonifacio and his group walked out, after proclaiming that the results were invalid as they were rigged.  He and his group said they would not recognize the new officials.  So sure was Aguinaldo of winning that he deemed it unnecessary to be present during the entire proceedings.

            After Aguinaldo and the other winners took their oath, a meeting was held where it was decided that Bonifacio and his men should be arrested for the crime of sedition. Bonifacio and his followers were arrested at Indang, Cavite where brother Ciriaco was shot dead, Andres was wounded and wife Gregoria de Jesus was said to have been raped by the leader of the arresting team, Colonel Agapito Bonzon. A one-day trial was conducted in Maragondon. Bonifacio and his other brother were found guilty as charged.  They were to be executed by firing squad at the mountains of Maragondon.

The wife of Andres Bonifacio, Gregoria de Jesus, was said to have been raped by Colonel Agapito Bonzon who was the leader of the arresting team.  She was a niece of Magdiwang's General Mariano Alvarez who was from Cavite.

House in Maragondon, Cavite where Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were tried and sentenced to die by firing squad.

          At the mountains of Maragondon, specifically Mount Nagpatong, which is next to Mount Buntis, Andres and his brother were shot to death allegedly for trying to escape on May 10, 1897.  But others believe that it was similar to a rubout.  Some witnesses were saying that after Procopio was shot dead, Andres was hacked several times by five men while in a hammock. Their bodies were just dumped at Mount Nagpatong.

Procopio Bonifacio was a younger brother of Andres Bonifacio. He was killed at Mount Nagpatong.  Brother Ciriaco was shot to death by Aguinaldo's arresting team at Indang, Cavite. All three Bonifacio brothers were killed in Cavite.

          Upon close scrutiny, the sequence of events was too fast.  The snap elections, the arrest at Indang, the trial and the execution happened in 2 months. Bonifacio's group did not make it back to Manila. Was everything premeditated?  Was there a conspiracy? Was Bonifacio eliminated to pave the way for the assumption into office by a group predominantly from Cavite?

         Aguinaldo went on to become the 1st president of the Republic. Bonifacio, the founder of the KKK, is viewed by many Filipinos as a national hero and numerous monuments have been erected in his honor. But the incident at Mount Nagpatong, near Mount Buntis, though 115 years have passed, remains a puzzle for some.

Historical site at Mount Nagpatong in Maragondon, Cavite.

While the marker states that Andres Bonifacio was shot to death, reports persist that the Supremo was hacked by five men at Mount Nagpatong.

*All pics from Google

                                                                                                                                                                    - Konted