HUSBAND SERVED BOTH MACARTHURS

The death of Gen. Douglas Macarthur stirred some fond memories for Rose Langiewicz, 1309 N. Washington St.

Mrs. Langiewicz is the widow of Adam J. Langiewicz who under both the late General MacArthur and his father, Gen. Arthur MacArthur.

Mr. Langiewicz was only 14 years old when he enlisted in the Spanish-American War from Wisconsin.

"He was a big, husky farm boy," his widow related, "and looked older than his years.  He wanted to enlist and his father signed the papers for him."

Serving in the Philippines turned out to be an unforgettable experience for the you Wisconsin farm lad as he became Gen. Arthur MacArthur’s orderly.

When World War I broke out, Langiewicz enlisted in the Army from Aberdeen and served uder Gen. Douglas MacArthur.  The Aberdeen man fought in France and served in the Army for five years, remaining in the government.  He was discarged a lieutenant.

Mr. Langiewicz had know young Douglas at the time he was serving as the father’s orderly.

"He used to say," his widow recalled, "that the MacArthurs treated him like one of the family."

A jetty builder by occupation, Mr. Langiewicz worked on both South Beach and Crescent City jetties.

He and his wife lived in California for a number of years, and Mr. Langiewicz died in Los Angeles in 1944.  His widow moved back to Aberdeen shortly thereafter.

While they were living in California the couple read in the paper that Gen. Arthur MacArthur had retired and was living in La Jolla.

"My husband, " Mrs. Langiewicz remembered, "was determined to pay a visit to the general.  I was not in favor of it.  So many years had gone by and the general had known so many people that I was afraid he wouldn’t remember my husband.

"But we drove to La Jolla.  I waited in the car while my husband went up to the house. General MacArthur came to the door and said immediately, "Why, how are you, Adam?"

We were invited to come into the house, and had lunch and a very good visit.  They were wonderful people.  In my husband’s opinion, both of the MacArthurs were the finest of men.

"And I," she added, "am very proud of my husband’s war record."

Related Link

Alexander and Evelyn (Rogalski) Langiewicz