10. MacArthur retired from the United States Army in 1937
MacArthur’s retirement from the United States Army allowed him to focus on the formation of the Philippine Army and prepare the semi-independent nation for defense. Both MacArthur and Eisenhower lobbied hard for military equipment to be sent to the Philippines, though most of what was received was surplus or obsolete equipment until 1940. As war in Europe progressed and the Japanese refused to renounce and end their aggression in China, Roosevelt took more drastic steps to put economic pressure on the Empire of Japan. War planners in Washington envisioned the defense of the Philippines taking place mainly on Bataan, with the force holding until it could be relieved by the US Navy and additional troops from Hawaii and the American mainland.
MacArthur proposed instead defending all of Luzon, where Manila is located, and attacking the Japanese invasion fleet with aircraft from Clark Field and other bases, including using B-17 bombers to attack the Japanese shipping. The submarines from the Asiatic fleet, based at Cavite, were also to be used as offensive weapons. In December 1939, Eisenhower had had enough of his bosses’ strutting vanity, and returned to the United States. His replacement, Lt. Col. Richard Sutherland, was appalled at the state of readiness in the Philippines. Still, MacArthur spent most of his time in Manila, rather than inspecting and preparing the Philippine troops and defenses.