今から71年前の1945年8月30日、連合国軍最高司令官のダグラス・マッカーサー元帥が厚木飛行場に降り立った。昭和天皇が日本の敗戦を告げた玉音放送から15日後のことだった。
戦後日本に絶対権力者として日本に君臨し、民主化を進める諸政策を断行したマッカーサー、飛行機のタラップに現れたマッカーサーの姿は日本人に鮮烈な印象を与えるものだった。
上着はつけず、カーキ色の軍服の一番上のボタンを外し、右手にはコーンパイプ、目には黒いサングラス。愛機「バターン号」からゆっくりとタラップを降り、厚木の地に立ったマッカーサーはこう語った。
メルボルンから東京までは長い道のりだった。長い長いそして困難な道だった。しかしこれで万事終わったようだ。各地域における日本軍の降伏は予定通り進捗し、外郭地区においても戦闘はほとんど終息し、日本軍は続々降伏している。この地区（東京地区か）においては日本兵多数が武装を解かれ、それぞれ復員をみた。
日本側は非常に誠意を以てことに当たっているようで、報復や不必要な流血の惨を見ることなく無事完了するであろうことを期待する
（朝日新聞東京本社版 1945年8月31日付より）
マッカーサーの厚木到着を伝える当時の朝日新聞（東京本社版 1945年8月31日付、複製）
当時の朝日新聞（1945年9月1日付け）はマッカーサーの人物像についてに、「仕事はてきぱきと」「趣味は映画と歴史本」「ゴルフが好き」と紹介。また戦争前の生活については、「マニラ湾を一望の中におさめるペントハウスにいたが、そこには数百冊の本が壁を埋めていた」「軍書はたった一冊で、あとはモンゼン、ギゾー、ギボン、プルタークなど歴史本ばかり」「銀の食器、マホガニーのテーブル、部厚な絨毯とともに彼の豪奢な生活を物語った」と、その人物像を伝えた。
戦後日本に君臨すること約2000日。マッカーサーは国民主権と平和主義を謳った新憲法、財閥解体、家父長制度の解体、女性選挙権、労働者の権利拡充などを実現した。しかし1950年に勃発した朝鮮戦争をめぐる対応でトルーマン米大統領と対立。GHQ総司令官を解任された。
帰国の途についた51年4月16日、羽田空港までの沿道には20万人以上が見送りに訪れた。国会は感謝決議をし、政府は名誉国民の称号を贈る方針を示した。
当時、新聞の見出しでは「見送り二十余万」「愛機 "蛍の光"に消ゆ」と情感たっぷりに伝えている。マッカーサーも空港に訪れた見送りの部隊員一人一人と握手をし、低いが力強い声で「グッド・バイ」と繰り返したという。
マッカーサー帰国を伝える当時の朝日新聞（複製）
帰国直後の51年4月19日、マッカーサーはアメリカ議会上下院の合同会議に出席し、退任演説をおこなった。その最後に、かつて兵士たちの間で流行していた風刺歌のフレーズを引用してこう述べた。
「老兵は死なず、ただ消え去るのみ」
この歌の老兵のように、私は軍歴をたたんで、ただ消えて行く。自分の任務を、神の教えに従って果たそうとつとめた一人の老兵として。さようなら
演説するマッカーサー（1951年4月19日）
退役後、マッカーサーは1952年の大統領選に野心を燃やしたが、支持は集まらなかった。レミントンランド社会長として晩年を過ごし、1964年4月5日に84歳で亡くなった。
マッカーサーの葬儀（1964年）
【編註】読みやすさを考慮して、旧仮名遣いは新仮名遣いに、旧漢字は新漢字に直した。
▼ダグラス・マッカーサーの横顔 画像集▼
ダグラス・マッカーサーの横顔
General Douglas MacArthur Riding in Jeep(01 of33)
(credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
Douglas MacArthur(02 of33)
circa 1943: American general Douglas MacArthur (1880 - 1964) standing in uniform with other military men in background during World War II. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Hulton Archive via Getty Images)
MacArthur & Krueger In Leyte Gulf(03 of33)
Low-angle view of American military commanders General Douglas MacArthur (1880 - 1964) (left) and Lieutenant General Walter Krueger (1881 - 1967) aboard a PT boat in the Leyte Gulf, Philippines, 1944. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images) (credit:PhotoQuest via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur with Pipe in Mouth(04 of33)
General Douglas MacArthur is seen here in Manilla. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur(05 of33)
U.S. General Douglas MacArthur poses outdoors in uniform, 1940s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Hulton Archive via Getty Images)
Gen Douglas MacArthur W/Cigar/Waist-Up(06 of33)
(Original Caption) Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964), ca. 1920-1925. Photograph has him holding a cigar. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
Portrait Of MacArthur(07 of33)
Portrait of American military commander Douglas MacArthur (1880 - 1964), early 20th century. (Photo by Interim Archives/Getty Images) (credit:Interim Archives via Getty Images)
Airport Talks(08 of33)
21st September 1950: American military leaders General Hickey (L) and General Douglas MacArthur (1880 - 1964) talk at an airport in Korea. MacArthur is wearing a leather bomber jacket and is holding a pipe. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Hulton Archive via Getty Images)
Portrait of Generals MacArthur and Eichelberger Having Conversation(09 of33)
(Original Caption) On his arrival at Atsugi Airdrome to take over control of the Jap home islands, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is greeted by Lt. General Robert Eichelberger, (left). (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
General MacArthur in Philippines(10 of33)
1944- Leyte, Philippines: United States General Douglas MacArthur standing with soldiers in Leyte. MacArthur has his standered corn-cob pipe and aviator style sun glasses. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
General MacArthur(11 of33)
1944: As American troops began to push back the Japanese, General Douglas MacArthur, centre, Philippine President Sergio Osmena, left, and General Carlos Romulo, landed in the Philippines on October 20th ,1944. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Hulton Archive via Getty Images)
General MacArthur Returns to the Philippines(12 of33)
General Douglas MacArthur (second from left) walks to the shore of Leyte Island with a group of U.S. Army and Philippine officers (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
Douglas MacArthur Returns to the Philippines(13 of33)
Douglas MacArthur Returns to the Philippines (Photo by Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images) (credit:Library of Congress via Getty Images)
Portrait of Douglas MacArthur Pointing(14 of33)
Douglas MacArthur, US general. He was the Allied commander during World War II for the Southwest Pacific Theatre as well as for the postwar occupation of Japan. During the first nine months of the Korean War, he led the United Nations forces. He was relieved of his duty in 1951 by U.S. President Harry S. Truman for insubordination. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
General MacArthur Landing at Inchon(15 of33)
General MacArthur begins his inspection tour of the facilities in the Inchon area. From left to right: Vice Admiral Arthur D. Struble, General Douglas MacArthur, and Major General Oliver P. Smith. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur Stepping Off Airplane(16 of33)
(Original Caption) From Batan to Japan. Japan: General Douglas MacArthur, familiar corn cob pipe stuck in his mouth, leaves his pipe to step on Japanese soil at Atsugi Airfield. Arrival in Japan as victor completed hard-fought struggle that began with bitter defeat at Bataan. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
To go with Japan-US-war-military-history(17 of33)
To go with Japan-US-war-military-history by Karyn Poupee\nThis black and white photo taken on September 27, 1945, shows Japanese Emperor Showa (R) and US General Douglas MacArthur (L), Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan at the US Embassy in Tokyo. For six years General Douglas MacArthur was lord of all he surveyed as supreme commander of the Allied forces in occupied Japan, gazing over Tokyo from a building requisitioned from an insurance company. Now, 61 years after he departed, his office is being opened to the public, just as he left it. AFP PHOTO /Jiji Press JAPAN OUT (Photo credit should read JIJI PRESS/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:JIJI PRESS via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur signing the Instrument of Surrender on behalf of the Allied Powers 1945(18 of33)
General Douglas MacArthur signing the Instrument of Surrender on behalf of the Allied Powers 1945 (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images) (credit:Universal History Archive via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur.(19 of33)
General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) watches as representatives of Japan stand aboard USS Missouri prior to signing of the Instrument of Surrender ending World war two, dated September 2, 1945. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images) (credit:Universal History Archive via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur and His Wife(20 of33)
(Original Caption) 4/18/1951-San Francisco- Mrs. Douglas MacArthur prepares to sign an autograph book for an admirer, in San Francisco, as her husband, the General, casts an admiring glance in her direction. The MacArthurs returned to the US for the first time in 14 years. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
Harry S. Truman Pinning Douglas MacArthur(21 of33)
(Original Caption) President Truman, (R), pins a 4th cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal on General MacArthur just after their precedent shaking meeting on Wake Island. Looking on in center is U.S.Ambassador to Korea, John Muccio. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
Douglas MacArthur(22 of33)
circa 1944: General Douglas MacArthur (1880 - 1964) as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces together with Allied colleagues, delivers his proclamation to the people of the Philippines (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (credit:Keystone via Getty Images)
Douglas MacArthur in Tokyo(23 of33)
(Original Caption) General MacArthur (extreme left), here leaving his Tokyo headquarters, has lent his blessing to Japanese trade missions in Southeast Asia to build stability. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
Douglas MacArthur Testifying in Senate(24 of33)
(Original Caption) Washington, D.C.: General Douglas MacArthur testifying on US foreign policy in Asia before joint session of Senate Armed Services & Foreign Relations Committee. Undated photograph. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
To go with Japan-US-war-military-history(25 of33)
To go with Japan-US-war-military-history by Karyn Poupee\nThis picture taken on July 3, 2012, shows the office room used from September 1945 until April 1951 by US General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan, at the headquarters of the Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company in Tokyo. For six years General Douglas MacArthur was lord of all he surveyed as supreme commander of the Allied forces in occupied Japan, gazing over Tokyo from a building requisitioned from an insurance company. Now, 61 years after he departed, his office is being opened to the public, just as he left it. AFP PHOTO/Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:TORU YAMANAKA via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur Post-War Allied Powers Office Room Opens To Public(26 of33)
TOKYO, TOKYO - JULY 18: The table and chair which was used by General Douglas MacArthur in his office in the Allied Power\'s Post-War Headquarter, in the Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Building, in Hibiya district, on July 18, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. The Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Company Limited is approaching the 110th anniversary of its founding in September 2012. To celebrate the anniversary and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the derequisition of the \'Dai-ichi Seimei Kan\' from the General Headquarters of the Allied Powers, in July 2012 the normally closed MacArthur Memorial Room office has been opened to the public for one week. The room is opened each day from July 17th- July 22nd, limited to 200 visitors per day. (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images) (credit:Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur Post-War Allied Powers Office Room Opens To Public(27 of33)
TOKYO, TOKYO - JULY 18: Visitors tour the room which served as General Douglas MacArthur\'s office, in the Allied Power\'s Post-War Headquarter, in the Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Building, in Hibiya district, on July 18, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. The Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Company Limited is approaching the 110th anniversary of its founding in September 2012. To celebrate the anniversary and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the derequisition of the \'Dai-ichi Seimei Kan\' from the General Headquarters of the Allied Powers, in July 2012 the normally closed MacArthur Memorial Room office has been opened to the public for one week. The room is opened each day from July 17th- July 22nd, limited to 200 visitors per day. (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images) (credit:Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur Post-War Allied Powers Office Room Opens To Public(28 of33)
TOKYO, TOKYO - JULY 18: The room used as a private office by General Douglas MacArthur in his office in the Allied Power\'s Post-War Headquarter, in the Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Building, in Hibiya district, on July 18, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. The Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Company Limited is approaching the 110th anniversary of its founding in September 2012. To celebrate the anniversary and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the derequisition of the \'Dai-ichi Seimei Kan\' from the General Headquarters of the Allied Powers, in July 2012 the normally closed MacArthur Memorial Room office has been opened to the public for one week. The room is opened each day from July 17th- July 22nd, limited to 200 visitors per day. (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images) (credit:Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert via Getty Images)
General Douglas MacArthur Post-War Allied Powers Office Room Opens To Public(29 of33)
TOKYO, TOKYO - JULY 18: A bust of General Douglas MacArthur, in the room which served as his office in the Allied Power\'s Post-War Headquarter, in the Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Building, in Hibiya district, on July 18, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. The Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Company Limited is approaching the 110th anniversary of its founding in September 2012. To celebrate the anniversary and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the derequisition of the \'Dai-ichi Seimei Kan\' from the General Headquarters of the Allied Powers, in July 2012 the normally closed MacArthur Memorial Room office has been opened to the public for one week. The room is opened each day from July 17th- July 22nd, limited to 200 visitors per day. (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images) (credit:Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert via Getty Images)
General MacArthur Addressing Congress(30 of33)
(Original Caption) 4/19/1951-Washington, DC- Closeup of General Douglas MacArthur as he made his historic address to a joint session of Congress here today. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
Douglas MacArthur and Wife Posing in Formal Attire(31 of33)
(Original Caption) General and Mrs. MacArthur. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
Closeup of General MacArthur wearing dark business suit.(32 of33)
Portrait of General Douglas MacArthur (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
General MacArthur Lying in Casket(33 of33)
(Original Caption) New York, New York: Dressed in tropical suntans, General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur, lies in repose at the Universal Funeral Chapel, Lexington Avenue and 52nd Street. The General\'s body will be moved tomorrow, April 7, to the 7th Regiment Armory at Park Avenue and 66th Street, where it may be viewed. April 6 1964. (credit:Bettmann via Getty Images)
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