Admiral of the Navy (United States)

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Please see "Admiral of the Navy" for other uses of this rank
Insignia for Admiral of the Navy, worn by Admiral George Dewey
Insignia for Admiral of the Navy, worn by Admiral George Dewey

Admiral of the Navy is traditionally considered the equivalent of a six-star Admiral in the United States Navy. The rank has only been held by one person in history: George Dewey. In recognition of his victory at Manila Bay in 1898, Congress authorized a single officer to hold the rank of Admiral, and promoted Dewey to this rank in March 1899. By a Congressional Act of 24 March 1903, Dewey's rank was established as Admiral of the Navy, effective retroactive to March 1899. It was specified that this rank was senior to the four-star rank of Admiral and was equal to Admiral of the Fleet in the British Royal Navy. The rank lapsed with the death of Admiral Dewey on 16 January 1917.

During the preparations for the invasion of Japan, a proposal was raised by the Navy Department to appoint Chester Nimitz to the rank of Admiral of the Navy and grant him an insignia as a six-star admiral. Proposals for the new six star rank included changing the title to Flag Admiral. The proposal, however, was dropped and the United States Navy has never officially appointed anyone to the rank of six star admiral.

In the United States Army, the equivalent of Admiral of the Navy is known as General of the Armies.

[edit] See also

Flag of the United States
U.S. commissioned officer ranks
  Student
Officer
O-1 O-2 O-3 O-4 O-5 O-6 O-7 O-8 O-9 O-10 O-11
(wartime only)
Special
Grade
Navy: MIDN/OC ENS LTJG LT LCDR CDR CAPT RDML RADM VADM ADM FADM Admiral of
the Navy
Marine Corps: Midn 2ndLt 1stLt Capt Maj LtCol Col BGen MajGen LtGen Gen (no equivalent) (no equivalent)
Army: CDT/OC 2LT 1LT CPT MAJ LTC COL BG MG LTG GEN General of
the Army
General of
the Armies
Air Force: Cadet 2nd Lt 1st Lt Capt Maj Lt Col Col Brig Gen Maj Gen Lt Gen Gen General of
the Air Force
(no equivalent)
Coast Guard: CDT ENS LTJG LT LCDR CDR CAPT RDML RADM VADM ADM (no equivalent) (no equivalent)