This silent film shows the homecoming parade held on April 17, 1951 as Gen. Douglas MacArthur returned to the United States. This followed disagreements on the conduct of the Korean War with President Harry Truman, who on April 11, 1951, relieved MacArthur of his command of U.S. forces in Korea. MacArthur’s firing set off a major uproar among the American public. Arriving in San Francisco on April 17th, 1951, MacArthur was given a hero’s welcome. Staff representative Gene Sherman reported in the April 19, 1951, Los Angeles Times:

SAN FRANCISCO, April 18 –– Gen. MacArthur publicly renounced all political aspirations here today climaxing a truly fabulous welcome home.

The 71-year-old deposed supreme commander chose a tumultuous civic reception on the City Hall steps to answer a question the world has asked.

Concluding gracious remarks of home-coming and appreciation for the overwhelming Bay City greeting, the general added:

“I have been asked if I intend to enter politics. My reply was, ‘No’.”…

He continued:

“I have no political aspirations whatsoever.

“I do not intend to run for any political office and I hope my name never be used in a political way.

“The only politics I have are contained in the simple phrase known well by all of you–God bless America.”

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com