Jean and her father can be found later listed on a passenger manifest of the SS Belgenland, which arrived in the Port of Los Angeles on December 29, 1927, from Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.

Despite the age difference — she was nearly nineteen years younger than he — they began a permanent relationship in Manila, and married in New York City on April 30, 1937, during Gen. MacArthur's trip home to build support for the defense of the Philippines.

[citation needed] Jean was MacArthur's second wife and he described her as his "constant friend, sweetheart, and devoted support."

[1] Jean MacArthur was with her husband when the Japanese attacked the Philippines and went with him to the island of Corregidor in Manila's harbor.

President Ronald Reagan awarded her the Medal of Freedom in 1988 and the Philippine government gave her its Legion of Merit in 1993.