In 1942, on this day MacArthur Declares Himself Filipino Dictator. When the Commonwealth of the Philippines achieved semi-independent status in 1935, President of the Philippines Manuel Quezon asked then US Chief of Staff MacArthur to supervise the creation of a Philippine Army. Quezon and MacArthur had been personal friends since the latter's father had been Governor-General of the Philippines, 35 years earlier. With President Roosevelt's approval, MacArthur accepted the assignment. It was agreed that MacArthur would receive the rank of field marshal, with its salary and allowances, in addition to his major general's salary as Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines.

MacArthur Declares Himself Filipino DictatorOn 26 July 1941, Roosevelt federalized the Philippine Army, recalled MacArthur to active duty in the U.S. Army as a major general, and named him commander of U.S. Army Forces in the Far East. He was promoted to lieutenant general the following day, and then to general on 20 December. However on 1 January 1942, MacArthur accepted $500,000 from President Quezon of the Philippines as payment for his pre-war service. MacArthur's staff members also received payments: $75,000 for Sutherland, $45,000 for Richard Marshall, and $20,000 for Huff.

When Quezon decided to flee from the invading Japanese, MacArthur was ordered by Roosevelt to accompany him. Because Quezon was desperately sick, MacArthur had no issue with the flight, but steadfastly refused to accept the dishonour himself. Rather than declare Manila an open city and fight on as a private, he decided to appoint himself emergency head of state.
This blog is a reversal of Jeff Provine's article Aug 3, 1949 - MacArthur Declares Himself Japanese Dictator