MacArthur

I knew that MacArthur had his problems, but I apparently did not know that they were severe enough to warrant concern early on in WWII combat.  In A War to be Won, it lists several problems such as a strong desire for personal publicity, political ambition, wanting and maintaining a structured and comfortable life-style even in war, hypochondria, precarious emotional balance (becoming ill at times of crisis), and claustrophobic panic as concerns that should have raised questions about his military competence.  Instead, President Roosevelt and his staff celebrated him as a national hero.  It is apparent after reading this that MacArthur and his Corregidor Gang were too powerful at the time to be removed.  It further says that MacArthur was the least qualified of the senior commanders in the Pacific to play a major role in the crisis.  It is disheartening to think that one person (representing the U.S.) was able to wield so much power over the military even in his unstable and/or unsavory condition.  Would the U.S. have been more successful in their battles or in their offensive attacks had MacArthur been dismissed more quickly that he was?  Did he commit more soldiers to death than necessary through his selfish tactics?  I wonder.  Considering that it further states that he did not want any direct contact with combat troops, especially the sick and wounded, it is hard to fathom exactly why he was left in command for so long.