Final answer:
Generals George Marshall and Douglas MacArthur made significant contributions during the first months of the war. Marshall played a crucial role in expanding and modernizing the U.S. Army, while MacArthur led the campaign in the Pacific Theater and employed the strategy of 'island hopping'.
Step-by-step explanation:
To compare and contrast the contributions of generals George Marshall and Douglas MacArthur during the first months of the war, it is important to highlight their roles and actions.
General George Marshall:
- As Chief of Staff of the Army, Marshall played a critical role in the overall strategy and organization of the U.S. military during World War II.
- He was responsible for expanding and modernizing the U.S. Army, increasing its size from 189,000 to eight million by 1942.
- Marshall was known for his expertise in logistics and was instrumental in the successful planning and execution of major military operations, such as the D-Day invasion.
General Douglas MacArthur:
- MacArthur served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area.
- He played a key role in the Pacific Theater of the war, leading the campaign to retake territories occupied by Japan.
- MacArthur's strategy involved a series of amphibious operations, known as 'island hopping,' to gradually advance towards Japan.
- He successfully led the liberation of the Philippines and was appointed as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers during the occupation of Japan.