The "I Shall Return" Speech

On October 20, 1944, General Douglas MacArthur waded ashore at Leyte to visit the beachhead U.S. soldiers were in the process of establishing. He was also there to deliver a dramatic radio address to the people of the Philippines announcing that the much anticipated liberation of the islands was underway. Broadcast from the beach (and from a destroyer off the coast), MacArthur’s “I Have Returned” speech generated mixed reviews among the American people. The speech was ridiculed as over-dramatic, emotional, and narcissistic. It was also criticized for having too many references to Christianity. Despite these criticisms, the speech had an electric effect on the Philippines. Couched in such a sacred way, MacArthur's speech quickly produced dividends. Soon his forces and intelligence networks began receiving pledges of support and requests for instructions from Filipinos across the islands - anxious to expel the Japanese and rally to the cause of liberation.Have a comment about this episode? Send us a text message! (Note: we can only read the texts, we can't reply)Support the showFollow us on:Twitter: @MacArthur1880; @AEWilliamsClarkFacebook: @MacArthurMemorialwww.macarthurmemorial.org