South Korea. MacArthur once again proposes to Truman to involve Chan Kai Shek and Taiwan in the Korean War, opening a second front in mainland China. The public request infuriates Truman, who accuses him of “rank insubordination.” He declares to his aides: “That son of a bitch isn’t going to resign one of me—I want him fired!” Truman fires him, without even consulting him first. The news causes a political earthquake: MacArthur is a living legend. A Gallup poll reveals that 69% of Americans are against this decision, compared to 29% in favor. MacArthur also creates his own melodrama, arriving with great fanfare in San Francisco, his first time in the United States in 14 years. He then walks the ticker tape parade in New York, where 7 million people see him. Truman’s courageous decision actually sets an important precedent for future presidents to clearly limit military power, no matter who exerts it, even a living legend.
