General Douglas MacArthur joins Society of American Magicians
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 Holl...