Douglas MacArthur Memorial

Frommer's Review

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur's immortal words "I shall return" are engraved on a bronze plaque, along with excerpts from his other speeches, at his final resting place in Norfolk's old city hall, an imposing domed structure with a columned front portico. In a scene a bit reminiscent of the Taj Mahal in India, the dome towers over the side-by-side marble crypts of the general and his wife, Jean. Shown every half-hour in a theater next door, a 25-minute film will give you a perspective on MacArthur's life and help you understand the exhibits. Filled with his personal memorabilia, the chronologically arranged galleries trace U.S. history during MacArthur's life and his role in events up to his ringing "Old Soldiers Never Die" speech to Congress after President Truman fired him during the Korean War. Of particular interest: MacArthur's famous corncob pipe, his omnipresent sunglasses, his field cap with its sides rolled down, and a replica of the plaque marking the spot on the USS Missouri where MacArthur presided over the surrender of Japan. A short film of the surrender ceremony includes his famous remark, "These proceedings are closed."

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