General Douglas MacArthur arrives in Japan, August 30, 1945
The supreme commander has arrived. MacArthur will not only lead the occupation forces, but will be virtual dictator. There is no guarantee MacArthur’s transition to power will be smooth. Never before has Japan been profaned by a foreign conqueror’s boot. Thus, his staff is jumpy as they step off MacArthur’s personal airplane. Each man wears a stiffly pressed khaki uniform, but no sidearm, on MacArthur’s order. “Nothing will impress them like a show of absolute fearlessness.” He places his field marshal cap on his head, lights his corncob pipe, and steps down the ramp. It is just as he anticipated.