List of United States military leaders by rank
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of the highest-ranking general and flag officers (generals and admirals) who have served in the armed forces of the United States. Only those holding a rank equivalent to the modern rank of five stars or more, or four stars at a time when such rank was extraordinary, are listed. The highest rank held by anyone in the U.S. armed forces since 1981 is four stars, or a pay grade of "O-10". There are dozens serving with this rank at the present time. Ranks higher than this are usually awarded only in times of large-scale mobilization and warfare, and it is unlikely that anyone will be given a higher rank anytime in the near future.
The ranks General of the Armies and Admiral of the Navy (held by the top three on this list) have been essentially honorary ranks as all recipients were given these ranks after their service.
Titles such as "general-in-chief", "chief of staff", and "Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff" are military assignments, not ranks, and thus do not affect the contents of this list.
Listed by rank then seniority (date appointed to the rank)
Contents |
[edit] List of United States military leaders by military rank
[edit] General of the Armies of the United States
| Rank order |
Rank | Name | Date | Active Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General of the Armies of the United States |
George Washington[1] | July 4, 1976 | American Revolution |
[edit] General of the Armies / Admiral of the Navy
| Rank order |
Rank | Name | Date | Active Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Admiral of the Navy | George Dewey | 1899 | Spanish-American War |
| 2 | General of the Armies | John J. Pershing | September 3, 1919 | World War I |
[edit] General of the Army / Fleet Admiral (5 stars) (O-11)
[edit] General of the Army / General / Admiral (4 stars) (O-10)
[edit] Notes
- ^ Washington was posthumously appointed General of the Armies of the United States under s:Public Law 94-479. Under s:Order 31-3, the effective promotion date was on July 4, 1976. Congress specified that he would forever be considered the highest ranking military officer of the United States. Where he would rank otherwise is debatable. While promoted to a lieutenant general only a year before his death, he was the most senior officer and the only lieutenant general in the army. The same is true of Ulysses S. Grant, who was the second person to permanently hold this rank. (Winfield Scott was a brevet lieutenant general for his service in the Mexican-American War.) Washington was referred to as "commander in chief" of the Continental Army, a title that since the adoption of the constitution has been reserved for the (civilian) President
- ^ Arnold was made General of the Army on December 21, 1944. The Air Force was created in 1947 and Arnold was made the first, and so far only, General of the Air Force on May 7, 1949.
- ^ a b c Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan wore four stars and held ranks equivalent to current four-star (O-10) generals and admirals, one step higher than Grant's wartime rank of lieutenant general. The special version of the title indicated that Congress intended only one person to have it at a time. See General of the Army (United States).
