In retrospect the sixty five year old General who spent much of his time in the Philippines on diplomatic and administrative duties was stunned and depressed at the beginning of the war. He botched the evacuation of Manila, ineffectively opposed the Japanese landings with the forces he did have and led his American and Filipino soldiers into a hopeless military situation on Bataan. He moaned endlessly that the Navy was not able to resupply and reinforce him. Doubt he was fit for command from 12/41 thru 4/42. Yet Roosevelt the politician recognized the value of his escape to Australia and MacArthur’s personal charisma which gave Americans hope in dire times. Roosevelt used MacArthur well and Macarthur took full advantage of his opportunity for redemption. If one views his career from 1943-1951, he deserves to be considered a great man of his time.
“He moaned endlessly that the Navy was not able to resupply and reinforce him.”
Considering that the Navy did in fact refuse to resupply or reinforce him, one might bridle at your description of “endless moaning.” FDR quite simply hung him out to dry, and everyone in the Philippines with him.