General Douglas MacArthur joins Society of American Magicians

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Back in June 1942, General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964), joined the Society of American Magicians. Founded in 1902, the society is the oldest magic club in the world.

MacArthur was one of only five U.S. Army officers to rise to the rank of General of the Army. At the time, he was based in Australia. A few months earlier he'd led the defence of the Philippines, earning a Medal of Honor for his role in resisting the Japanese invasion. 

 

General Douglas MacArthur
(Source: Genii - The Conjurors' Magazine, July 1942) 

Amid the chaos and challenges of war, joining a magic club, wouldn’t appear to be a priority for this hugely capable leader of men. In fact, MacArthur wasn’t a magician, in the normal sense of the term. He didn't do card tricks or appear on stage with box illusions.

 

Behind this story was a gathering, on 15 June 1942, of the Southern California Assembly of the Society of American Magicians. Meeting for one of its regular evenings in Hollywood, the club discussed MacArthur’s leadership and heroism in the Philippines. That night, the club voted unanimously to offer MacArthur Honorary Life Membership.


The next day, Bess Houdini (widow of famed escapologist Harry Houdini and herself an honorary member of the club) sent a telegram to MacArthur. It read:

 

“We believe you [to be] the greatest magician today. Your magic in air, land and sea is supreme. Will you accept Honorary Life Membership Society American Magicians Southern California Assembly Hollywood.”

 

Within twenty-four hours, he replied:


"Delighted and Honoured. MacArthur."


General Douglas MacArthur article

(Source: Genii - The Conjurors' Magazine, July 1942) 

The invitation was, of course, a minor publicity stunt by the S.A.M. It was hoped that recognising MacArthur's magical and seemingly miraculous abilities in this way, would lift public morale. Indeed, the Associated Press carried the story on their wires, and the news story spread widely. 

 

General MacArthur went on to play an even more prominent role in the Pacific theatre during World War Two. He officially accepted Japan’s surrender on 2 September, 1945 and oversaw the Allied occupation of post-war Japan. In the early 1950's, he led United Nations forces in the Korean War.

 

Incidentally, General MacArthur had a magician on his staff team. At the end of the world war, when MacArthur led the liberation of the Philippines, soldier-magician Captain E. F. Forsythe served as adjutant in charge of liberated prisoners in Manilla.


And, Girard 'Jerry' Hawkins, MacArthur's personal bodyguard during the occupation of Japan, was also a magician. After the war Hawkins worked as a U.S. District Court Clerk, performing magic as a hobbyist and semi-professionally. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians until his death in 1984. 


I doubt MacArthur ever attended a meeting of the magic club, but if he was passing through Hollywood, you never know!

 

General Douglas MacArthur
(Source: Creative Commons Licence)

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