On June 13, 1899, Douglas MacArthur entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. It was the fulfillment of a boyhood ambition and it was to be the start of his extraordinary military career. But, it was nearly over before it began. A little over a year into his time at West Point, a controversy erupted over allegations that hazing at West Point had resulted in the death of a cadet. As details of the hazing at West Point emerged, it ignited a firestorm of controversy. President William McKinley called for an investigation into the hazing, and some in congress even called for the abolition of the nation’s military academies. MacArthur would play a central role in this drama. Called before a military court of inquiry and then a congressional committee, MacArthur was soon making national headlines as he testified about his own experiences as a first year cadet.

Have a comment about this episode? Send us a text message! (Note: we can only read the texts, we can't reply)

Follow us on:

Twitter: @MacArthur1880; @AEWilliamsClark
Facebook: @MacArthurMemorial


www.macarthurmemorial.org