MacArthur at Missionary Ridge

Lieut. Arthur MacArthur

At the Battle of Missionary Ridge on today's date in 1863, 18-year-old 1st Lt. Arthur MacArthur, Jr. of the 24th Wisconsin Infantry, after scaling the ridge, grabbed his regimental flag from a fallen color bearer, shouting "On Wisconsin." He planted one of the first Federal flags on the ridge in front of Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's headquarters. While there were many soldiers as brave as MacArthur that afternoon, for his action the lieutenant was promoted to the rank of major. He was also later awarded the Medal of Honor.*

Born to Scottish immigrant and Wisconsin lawyer, judge, and governor Arthur MacArthur, Sr., MacArthur Jr. had already seen action in fighting against the Army of Tennessee at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. He will meet the same Confederate army throughout the Atlanta Campaign and again at Franklin. Recognized for his gallantry throughout the war, MacArthur ended with the rank of colonel. After the War Between the States, MacArthur again served his country in the Indian Wars, then the 1898 Spanish-American War, and finally the Philippine-American War, 1899-1902. He retired at the age of 64 as a lieutenant general.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur, 1945

Lt. Gen. Arthur MacArthur is also remembered for being the father of an even more famous American general in WWII, Douglas MacArthur. In the Philippines Campaign early in the war, Douglas MacArthur also received the Medal of Honor, making him and his father the first father and son to be awarded the medal.

* He was awarded the medal 27 years after the event and after an illustrious military career.

Sources: The Shipwreck of Their Hopes, Peter Cozzens; Mountains Touched With Fire, Wiley Sword