General Douglas MacArthur arrives in Houston with wife Jean MacArthur and son Arthur MacArthur IV on June 14, 1951. Upon his arrival, the general drove to Galveston for a parade before returning to Houston to deliver an address at Rice Institute Stadium (now Rice Stadium). Houston was the second stop on MacArthur’s Texas tour. The previous day, he gave a speech on the steps of the Texas State Capitol Building in Austin. After Houston, MacArthur flew to San Antonio, where he visited his alma mater, Texas Military Institute, and spoke at the Alamo. He finished his visit in Dallas with a civic reception, parade, and night address in the Cotton Bowl. In all of his speeches, MacArthur criticized the Truman Administration for its limited-war strategy in the fight against communism in Asia. President Truman had relieved MacArthur of his commands two months earlier after the general made public statements that contradicted national policy.
Motorcade
En route to Austin
Bastrop State Park
Congress Avenue and the Texas State Capitol Building
University of Texas at Austin campus, including the UT Tower
Poolside picnic
Birthday party
Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico
Kiddieland in Houston
Stewart Beach in Galveston
On the gulf
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This home movie captures General Douglas MacArthur’s arrival in Houston on June 14, 1951. The five-star general visited several Texas cities that week to speak out against national policy in the fight against communism in Asia. The following footage shows the Hester family on a trip to Austin in 1950, where they drive down Congress Avenue to the Texas State Capitol Building and explore the University of Texas at Austin campus. Later, the Hesters venture to Galveston for sunbathing on Stewart Beach and an excursion on the Gulf of Mexico. Also included is footage of the Hester family at home in Houston, relaxing in the backyard and celebrating children’s birthdays.
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