Join us Thursday, September 25 at 5:30 p.m. for a Legacy Lecture by Jonathan Horn. A book signing and reception will follow the presentation.
The Fate of the Generals
At the outset of World War II, American forces in the Philippines fought a desperate, doomed campaign. From that crucible emerged two generals who received the Medal of Honor—but on very different paths. Douglas MacArthur, ordered to evacuate, carried his vow to return across the Pacific, ultimately leading a sweeping counteroffensive but leaving his soldiers to endure starvation and surrender. Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, by contrast, chose to remain with his men, becoming the highest‑ranking American prisoner of the Japanese and a symbol of endurance under captivity.
In The Fate of the Generals, bestselling author Jonathan Horn draws on diaries, letters, and newly uncovered archives to bring their intertwined stories vividly to life. This gripping narrative not only recounts their trials and triumphs but also poses urgent questions about how we define honor, how we remember sacrifice, and how history chooses its heroes.
How can I attend?
The event is free to the public, but reservations are required. To reserve a seat, or for more information about the event, contact [email protected] or call 540.463.7103, ext. 138.
How can I watch from home?
The presentation will also be livestreamed on the Marshall Foundation YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/2Or0E8D) simultaneously. Viewers of the stream are encouraged to write questions using the live video chat (to the lower right of the video) or via email at [email protected]. Chat will be monitored for abusive comments.
Who is Jonathan Horn?
Jonathan Horn is an author and former White House presidential speechwriter whose books include Washington’s End and the Robert E. Lee biography The Man Who Would Not Be Washington, which was a Washington Post bestseller. He has written for outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times Disunion series, New York Post, The Daily Beast, National Review, and POLITICO, and has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and PBS NewsHour. A graduate of Yale, he lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife, two children, and dog.
The George C. Marshall Foundation Legacy Series is sponsored by:
Dominion Energy; Raymond James; Edward Jones; CornerStone Bank; the Anne C. Robins and Walter R. Robins, Jr. Foundation; Richard & Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust; ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice; Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1499