Disobedience cast shadow over general’s legacy

James E. Custer, Las Vegas

Sunday, June 27, 2010 | 2:02 a.m.

I’d like to comment on the controversy that surrounded President Barack Obama and Gen. Stanley McChrystal. As a retired Marine with service in Korea and Vietnam, I understand the importance of the military chain of command. The president is the commander in chief and whether or not you agree with him, it is your sworn duty to follow orders.

If Gen. McChrystal, who I’m sure had a splendid record, wanted to voice his differences with the president, he should have retired and then spoken as a civilian. Otherwise he should have kept his personal feelings to himself.

In 1951, President Harry Truman fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his public approval dropped sharply. However, when Americans learned the reason for MacArthur’s seemingly abrupt release, Truman’s ratings soared.

MacArthur, who has often been called the American Caesar, directed the war in the Pacific with strategic brilliance during World War II and converted Japan to democracy without disgracing the emperor.

But during the Korean War, MacArthur was ordered not to go into North Korea because China had warned us that they would enter the war if we did.

He disobeyed Truman and as a result the Chinese entered the fray 250,000 strong, making it a new war. Many Americans were unnecessarily killed and wounded because MacArthur had an opinion that differed from the president.