Memory Alpha
Register
Advertisement
Memory Alpha

General Douglas MacArthur was a Human that lived during the mid-20th century who served in the United States Army and participated in Earth's Second World War. He was known for speaking the following words at the conclusion of that costly war:

"Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. We have known the bitterness of defeat and the exultation of triumph, and from both we have learned there can be no turning back. We must go forward to preserve in peace what we've won in war."

Four hundred thirty years later, Admiral William Ross quoted these words following the signing of the peace treaty between the Federation Alliance and the Dominion at the conclusion of the Dominion War. (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")

MacArthur was not identified by name, but was alluded to by Ross' description – "Four hundred years ago, a victorious general spoke the following words at the end of another costly war" – and by direct quotation. The quote came from remarks made on board the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945 after the signing of the surrender of the Japanese Empire.
Furthermore, according to Ron D. Moore, Sisko's departing speech in "Call to Arms" was conceptually inspired by MacArthur's "I Shall Return" proclamation upon departing the Philippines during World War II. (AOL chat, 1997)
In AT: "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum", Ted Sullivan noted that Lorca (then not yet revealed to be replaced by his Mirror universe counterpart) had a little MacArthur in him.

External links[]

Advertisement