One of the more unique souvenirs of war – the five-star license plate once bolted to the command car of Gen. Douglas MacArthur – sold for $31,200 at Morphy Auctions in April.
Courtesy Morphy Auctions
MacArthur was one of the most famous leaders in American military history. A larger-than-life, controversial figure, MacArthur was talented, outspoken and, in the eyes of many, egotistical. He commanded the Southwest Pacific in World War II, oversaw the successful Allied occupation of postwar Japan and led United Nations forces in the Korean War.
Courtesy Getty Images
During his decorated career, MacArthur helped lead the 42nd Division in France during World War I, then served as superintendent of West Point, chief of staff of the Army and field marshal of the Philippines, where he helped organize a national military force. During World War II, he returned to liberate the Philippines in 1944 after it had fallen to the Japanese. MacArthur led United Nations forces during the start of the Korean War, but later clashed with President Harry Truman over war policy and was removed from command in 1951.
The five-star license plate from MacArthur’s command car was brought home by Henry K. Kellogg after his service during the Korean War. Kellogg was a decorated veteran of World War II, serving in North Africa as a Lieutenant Colonel with the 19th Engineer Combat Regiment. He continued to serve throughout the Korean War, serving as the commander of the 63rd Infantry Reserve Division and held the rank of major general.
Kellogg was given the 9″ x 6″ steel license plate painted in red with five nickel plate brass stars bolted onto it as a gift, a memento from one of the most significant military leaders in history.
Five general officers held the rank during or after 1944 in World War II: MacArthur, George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry H. Arnold, and Omar Bradley who was promoted to five star rank as an honorarium in 1950.
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