Video: MacArthur in Australia (at 10:39)

(Tuesday, March 17, 1942, during World War II) — General Douglas MacArthur today became Supreme Commander of the United Nations forces in the Southwestern Pacific.

This dramatic shift of command and promotion for the dashing officer who has held the Japanese at bay on the Island of Luzon for three months and ten days was announced by the War Department simultaneously with his arrival in Australia.