“Duty, Honor, Country”: Bringing MacArthur To Life For The Class Of ’65 Reunion

Robert Tidwell came to West Point at the request of Mike Lapolla, USMA 65, to help celebrate their 60th Reunion. USMA 65 were Plebes in the spring of 1962, when Retired General Douglas MacArthur delivered his famous farewell speech to the Corps of Cadets. In the speech, MacArthur proclaims, “Duty, Honor, Country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.” Robert Tidwell has been portraying Douglas MacArthur for over 15 years and was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to present the “Duty, Honor, Country” speech in a room full of West Point graduates who were present that day when MacArthur spoke in the Mess Hall. In this brief interview with Robert Tidwell, he reflects on his upbringing, including talking about his father’s service in the Navy and growing up in a Navy town. He became interested in acting, starting his journey in the theater as a spotlight operator. When he was a senior, he met his future wife, who is also an actor and director, in a high school play. About 15 years ago, he began impersonating Douglas MacArthur. He describes researching MacArthur, watching film footage of the General, and getting into character. He thoroughly researches the people he portrays, including reading biographies and memoirs, and talking with those who interacted with the people he portrays in everyday life. He also discusses putting together his “uniform” and the importance of the khaki service cap. In addition to MacArthur, he also portrays Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt. He reflects on the “Duty, Honor, Country” speech and how he is going to present it in the same spot where MacArthur delivered the original. He talks about exploring West Point and connecting with MacArthur’s legacy there. He states that visiting West Point renews his faith in America.