The story of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander during World War II and United Nations Commander for the Korean War. "MacArthur" begins in 1942, following the fall of Phillipines, and covers the remarkable career of this military legend up through and including the Korean War and into MacArthur's days of forced retirement after being dismissed from his post by President Truman.

In his eighties, General Douglas MacArthur makes his final address at his alma mater, West Point. During the speech, military career is seen in flashback. The fall of Corregidor in 1942 and later victories in the South Pacific are recounted. MacArthur's efforts to restore dignity to Japan following its defeat in the war and prevent Communist Russia from taking over Asia are highlighted. And the loss of his post following his refusal to follow President Truman's orders during the Korean conflict is shown.