The Role of the Operational Artist: General MacArthur in the Korean War from June 1950 to April 1951
Abstract
This study applies the theory of the operational artist to evaluate General Douglas MacArthur's command in the Korean War to illuminate considerations in regards to a senior military commander's authority to discuss policy and negotiate military strategy with policymakers and their responsibility to operate within the constraints imposed by policy to achieve the political aim, through the military aim. Victory emerged through the restoration of the 38th Parallel, where discourse and negotiation between policymakers and the operational artist resolved the tension between policy and military strategy, while tragedy and failure emerged in the remainder of General MacArthur's command, when the discourse failed and the operational artist disregarded policy constraints in pursuit of his own aims. The analysis implicates considerations for senior military commanders in their role as operational artists in the context of large-scale combat operations within wars of limited aims, constrained by competing interests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1083636
Entities
People
- Brandon E. Pasko
Organizations
- School of Advanced Military Studies