Douglas MacArthur is a true war hero. He risked his life to defend his country and our country. Douglas MacArthur had many bad experiences in his past; his older brother, Malcolm, had died of measles when Douglas was a young boy. He had a choice: don't serve the country, you will live and stay out of danger (for the most part) or serve the country and risk your life, you might die, but think on the positive: you might live! MacArthur chose to serve the country and was one of our many war heroes and I want to thank him for that. Douglas Francis MacArthur was born on January 26, 1880 at the Arkansas Barracks in Little Rock, Arkansas. His parents were Arthur MacArthur Jr. and Mary Pinkney Hardy MacArthur. Her mother was often called by her nickname "Pinky". As her brothers both fought for the South in the Civil War, they refused to attend her wedding, which upset her. Douglas grew up in a military family in the American Wild West. He had two brothers: Arthur III and Malcolm. Even after Malcolm's death from measles in 1883, when Douglas was only 3 years old, the family managed to maintain a healthy relationship even though things would not be the same without Malcolm. Douglas' education included Force Public School, West Texas Military Academy. and West Point. In high school, Douglas played on the tennis team, was the quarterback of the football team and shortstop of the baseball team. While MacArthur attended the West Texas Military Academy, he won the gold medal for "scholarship and conduct." He was named valedictorian, with a final year average of 97.33 out of 100, and graduated in 1903. By all accounts, he was an extremely intelligent man. Douglas MacArthur fought in many battles; in these bat...... middle of paper ......n on MacArthur's 80th birthday, many of his friends were frightened by the general's deteriorating health. The next day, he collapsed and underwent emergency surgery at St. Luke's Hospital to control a severely enlarged prostate. His health was a serious problem. Because of biliary cirrhosis, he died on April 5, 1964 at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Typical biliary cirrhosis due to chronic biliary retention after obstruction or infection of the main extra- or intrahepatic bile ducts or of unknown etiology, and sometimes occurring after the administration of certain medications. Douglas MacArthur became a five-star general, which is very rare. Even though Douglas went through some difficulties, he always believed that the Lord would take care of him. He was a great general, family member and friend to others and he will undoubtedly live forever in their hearts..