Dear loch-ga;
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question.
Ok, now that we’ve cleared up my questions and you realize in advance
that my answer will not result in either of us actually finding Mr.
MacArthur, I can tell you what little is known. For you see, Arthur
MacArthur and his whereabouts, as someone once said, is somewhat of a
mystery inside an enigma, surrounded by confusion. If you are not
interested in finding him or contacting him you are most likely part
of a small minority who feel that way since there seem to be many who
would like nothing more.
Here is a photo of Arthur MacArthur taken for the cover of Life
Magazine in 1942: http://www.oldlifemagazines.com/covers/cv080342.jpg
By all accounts, and for reasons known but to him, Arthur MacArthur
chose to disassociate himself with the image and memory of his father,
the famous General Douglas MacArthur. Oscar Roloff, who in 1950, was
part of a two-man press team for VADM Turner Joy, Commandar Naval
Forces, Far East, in Tokyo, Japan, was aboard the same vessel as young
Arthur after his father had ordered the boy to take a warship ride
from Yokosuka to Tokyo (perhaps in hopes of stirring in him an
interest in the military). Because of this brief close encounter with
the child, Roloff eventually became intrigued by the mystery
surrounding Aurthur “the man” some years later. He noted that in 1961
Arthur “…graduated from Columbia University, then changed his name and
completely disappeared. Some say he might be a Wall Street
businessman, in the performing arts, or possibly music. No one knew
for sure.”. Roloff goes on to say that two groups “back east” have
been trying to find Mr. MacArthur without success thus far.”
NWNews
http://www.nwnews.com/vvissues/v10n35/feature1.html
Then there is this note taken from the “PHILIPPINE STAR”:
“Unlike his extremely famous father and his grandfather who were both
top generals, only son Arthur MacArthur didn’t fit into the family’s
West Point military tradition and studied at Columbia University. The
general’s biographer, William Manchester, wrote about the famous
general’s son: "Apparently being a MacArthur was too much; after his
father’s death Arthur moved to the other side of Manhattan and took an
assumed name. His identity thus concealed, he lived for his music, a
fugitive from his father’s relentless love."
PHILIPPINE STAR
http://216.239.33.104/search?q=cache:t9JEGLk0oaIJ:www.philstar.com/philstar/Lifestyle200306203703.htm+%22arthur+macarthur%22+%22Columbia+University%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
What became of Arthur and his current whereabouts and occupation are
not known. Jerry Shackle (formerly Staff-Sergeant Edith F. Gehrmann of
the Australian Women's Army Service in World War II), now 87 years old
also has an interest in the mystery and wrote an e-book on the subject
entitled “WHERE IS ARTHUR MacARTHUR?”. In it she tells of various
“sightings” or tidbits of unverifiable information that filter in from
time to time. In it she quotes an article about Spanish-born artist
Juvenal Sanso, Philippine novelist, poet, playwright, in which
essayist Nick Joaquin wrote: "One hears that General MacArthur's son
is now an artist in Greenwich Village, but one doubts he's doing any
recollections of the Manila of his childhood.."
She also tells of a posting she read from an article on the
“Fayetteville Observer” (North Carolina) webpage which said :
Q: "Whatever happened to Gen. MacArthur's son? Did he go into the
military? - H.P., Pinehurst”
“A: No, he didn't. Instead, [he] became a concert pianist and writer,
according to June Weatherly."
“WHERE IS ARTHUR MACARTHUR?”
http://www.senioryears.com/macarthur.html
Oscar Roloff (remember him from earlier?) was still on the trail as of
1997. In another article for NWNews he talks about regular messages he
receives from his readers who are interested in MacArthur and says:
“One recipient, Craig Karpel, wrote, "I attended Columbia University
and knew him there. He was marching VERY MUCH to his own drummer even
then.”
NWNews
http://www.nwnews.com/nnissues/v18n5/feature1.html
In summary, if that’s what we can call it, Aurthur MacArthur
apparently does not WANT to be “found” nor does he have any apparent
interest in his legacy. If he is indeed marching to a different
drummer – which seems to be the case - he is undoubtedly doing so by
his own design. We must therefore assume that he is, at the very
least, satisfied with the choices he has made or else he might
reassume his true identity and perhaps reveal himself now in his 60’s.
If this kind of radical anonymity can be called happiness, well, so be
it. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. By the way - If
you happen read this Arthur, I’d be honored have an exclusive
interview with you should you decide to come out of exile for no other
purpose but to definitely answer our customer’s question here once and
for all. There…I said it and I’m not ashamed.
Presumably however, in spite of all the unanswered questions, Arthur
MacArthur (or whoever he is calling himself these days) is still alive
- somewhere. In her January 23, 2000 obituary published in the
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS he is quite clearly listed among the
surviving relatives.
“She is survived by her son and a sister.”
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
http://www.newsflash.org/2000/01/hl/hl011832.htm
I hope you find that that my research exceeds your expectations. If
you have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga
INFORMATION SOURCES
Defined above
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
The term search “Arthur MacArthur” was used in conjunction with the
following additional search terms:
Son
Missing
“changed his name”
obscurity
assumed name
“Douglas MacArthur” son
disassociated
"different drummer"
avoided
remained anonymous |
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