MacArthur's Air Force

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General Douglas MacArthur ended World War II at the helm of one of the most formidable air forces globally. This history chronicles its evolution from its origins in the Philippines to its decisive victories over Japan and its significant involvement in the Korean War. While MacArthur is a monumental figure of World War II, his leadership of the USAAF's second-largest air force is often overlooked. By the war's end, the Fifth, Thirteenth, and Seventh Air Forces under his command boasted 4,004 combat aircraft, 433 reconnaissance aircraft, and 922 transports. After suffering setbacks in the Philippines in 1942, MacArthur and air chief General George Kenney revitalized the US aerial presence in the Pacific, aiding Allied forces in repelling the Japanese Air Force, reclaiming the Philippines, and advancing toward Japan. Following the war, MacArthur became the highest military and political authority in Japan. When the Korean War erupted in June 1950, he was appointed Commander in Chief, United Nations Command. During his ten-month command, the Far East Air Forces expanded significantly, marking the first aerial combat between jet fighters. This engaging account by award-winning aviation historian Bill Yenne details the American air forces' journey under MacArthur, from their humble beginnings to their triumph over Imperial Japan and their entry into the jet age in Korea.