General of the Army is historically the second most senior rank in the United States Army, equivalent to a Field Marshal in other militaries. General of the Army Insignia File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Military rank, or simply rank, is a system of grading seniority and command within military organizations. ... US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Note: This article is about the military usage of the word marshal. For other usages, see the end of this article. ...

Origins of the rank

In an Act of the United States Congress on March 3, 1799, Congress provided "that a Commander of the United States shall be appointed and commissioned by the style of General of the Armies of the United States and the present office and title of Lieutenant General shall thereafter be abolished." The Congress of the United States is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States of America. ... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... 1799 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The ceremonies involved in commissioning ships into a military force are based in traditions thousands of years old. ...

The proposed senior General rank was not bestowed, however, and when George Washington died, he was listed as a Lieutenant General on the rolls of the United States Army. Thus, a policy was established (whose exact reasons are lost in history) that the senior most General rank to be held in the Regular Army of the United States would be that of Major General. George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was the successful Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and later became the first President of the United States, an office to which he was elected twice (1789-1797). ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... The Regular Army is the name given to the permanent force of the United States Army that is maintained during peacetime. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ...

First version

On July 25, 1866, the U.S. Congress established the grade of "General of the Army of the United States" for Ulysses S. Grant, and later appointed William T. Sherman (on March 4, 1869). Image File history File links USGENARMY1888. ... July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... 1866 is a common year starting on Monday. ... The Congress of the United States is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States of America. ... Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). ... Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman by Mathew Brady William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... March 4 is the 63rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (64th in leap years). ... 1869 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The first rank of General of the Army was considered more of a title rather than a rank. Those holding the position maintained a regular rank on the U.S. Army rolls, typically that of Major General as this was the highest authorized permanent rank of the United States Regular Army. Ulysses S. Grant was a Lieutenant General and, when appointed General of the Army, was authorized the special insignia of four stars (although still technically a Lieutenant General). Sherman wore two stars with the arms of the United States in between. Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The Regular Army is the name given to the permanent force of the United States Army that is maintained during peacetime. ...

By the Act of 1 June 1888, the grade of Lieutenant General was discontinued and merged in that of General of the Army, which was then conferred upon Lieutenant General Philip H Sheridan. The rank of General of the Army ceased to exist upon the death of Sheridan on 5 August 1888 and the highest rank of the United States Army was again the two star Major General rank. June 1 is the 152nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (153rd in leap years), with 213 days remaining. ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Philip Sheridan Philip Henry Sheridan (March 6, 1831 – August 5, 1888), a military man and one of the great generals in the American Civil War. ... August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. ... 1888 is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ...

Second version

The second version of General of the Army, also known as a "Five Star General" was created by Public Law 482 of the 78th Congress, passed on 14 December 1944, first as a temporary rank, then made permanent 23 March 1946 by an act of the 79th Congress. This was done to give the most senior American commanders parity of rank with their British counterparts. (The acts also created a comparable rank of Fleet Admiral for the Navy). The second General of the Army rank is considered separate from the 19th century version and the two are not considered comparable. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (83rd in Leap years). ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... ... A Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy is an Admiral considered the equivalent of the United States Armys General of the Army. ...

The insignia for General of the Army, as created in 1944, consisted of five stars in a pentagonal pattern, with points touching. The five officers who have held the 1944 version of General of the Army were:

The timing of the first four appointments was to correspond to the appointment of the U.S. Navy's five-star admirals to establish both a clear order of seniority and a near-equivalence between the services. George C. Marshall George Catlett Marshall (December 31, 1880–October 16, 1959), an American military leader and statesman, was born into a middle-class family in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... General Douglas MacArthur aboard a battleship toward the end of World War II, 1945 Douglas MacArthur (26 January 1880 — 5 April 1964) was an American military leader credited with defeating the Japanese in World War II. He helped rebuild Japan after the war and played a key role in stopping... December 18 is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Dwight David Ike Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American soldier and politician. ... December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Henry Hap Arnold Henry Harley Arnold (June 25, 1886 – January 15, 1950), often referred to by the nickname Hap, was an American pilot, commander of the US Army Air Corps from 1938, commander of the US Army Air Forces from 1941 until 1945 and the first General of the Air... December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... General of the Army Omar N. Bradley Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893 – April 8, 1981) was one of the main U.S. Army field commanders in North Africa and Europe during the World War II and a General of the Army of the United States Army. ... September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... 1950 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... A Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy is an Admiral considered the equivalent of the United States Armys General of the Army. ...

A historical rumor states that the reason the rank of General of the Army was so named, instead of the United States military creating a rank of Field Marshal, is so that George Marshall would not be known as "Marshal Marshall". Most military sources agree that this had little to do with the naming of General of the Army, and more likely the rank was named after its 19th century counterpart and also since the rank of Field Marshal was considered by the U.S. military to be a strictly European rank. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Following the establishment of the United States Air Force in 1947, the equivalent rank of General of the Air Force was established. The only person to hold the rank of General of the Air Force was Henry H. Arnold. The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aviation branch of the United States armed forces. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Henry Hap Arnold Henry Harley Arnold (June 25, 1886 – January 15, 1950), often referred to by the nickname Hap, was an American pilot, commander of the US Army Air Corps from 1938, commander of the US Army Air Forces from 1941 until 1945 and the first General of the Air...

Modern usage

There have been no officers appointed to the rank of General of the Army since Omar Bradley and, in the 21st century U.S. military, further appointments are highly unlikely, unless the United States were to become involved in a major war surpassing the scope of World War II. General of the Army Omar N. Bradley Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893 – April 8, 1981) was one of the main U.S. Army field commanders in North Africa and Europe during the World War II and a General of the Army of the United States Army. ... The 21st century is the century that began on 1 January 2001 and will last to 31 December 2100. ... World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrination, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons such as the atom bomb. ...

In the 1990s, the Defense Department gave some indication that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff would possibly one day be a position worthy of the rank General of the Army. This was more of a rumor, however, with Congressional sources indicating there were no plans to promote even the most successful of modern day Generals to the rank of General of the Army. The United States Department of Defense, abbreviated DoD or DOD and sometimes called the Defense Department, is a civilian Cabinet organization of the United States government. ... The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer of the United States military, and the principal military advisor to the President of the United States. ... General of the Army, or less formally five-star general, is historically the second most senior rank in the United States Army. ...

In 1994 and 1995 there was some consideration by President Bill Clinton and his senior staff of nominating Colin Powell for the rank of General of the Army, but they decided against it because they could not guarantee it would pass Congress and (probably more importantly) because General Powell was then viewed as a possible Republican presidential candidate in the 1996 election. Order: 42nd President Vice President: Al Gore Term of office: January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001 Preceded by: George H. W. Bush Succeeded by: George W. Bush Date of birth: August 19, 1946 Place of birth: Hope, Arkansas First Lady: Hillary Rodham Clinton Political party: Democratic William Jefferson Clinton (born... Colin Luther Powell, (pronounced koh-lihn, born April 5, 1937) was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving from January 20, 2001 to November 12, 2004 under President George W. Bush. ... Republican is a term used generally to describe a number of different organisations, principles, or political movements, and/or the persons supporting these. ...

The rank of General of the Army still is maintained as a rank of the U.S. military and could again be bestowed upon approval of the United States Congress. If appointed, the rank of General of the Army would carry a pay grade of O-11. Currently, Official US Policy is that General of The Army/Air Force and Admiral of the Fleet is only used in time of War where the Commanding Officer must be equal or of higher rank than those commanding armies from another nation.

Regulations concerning the rank of General of the Army state that any officer holding the position will remain on active duty for life. It was for this reason that Dwight Eisenhower resigned his commission to serve as President of the United States, since the office of President can not legally be filled by an active duty U.S. military officer. The President of the United States (unofficially abbreviated POTUS) is the head of state of the United States. ...

General of the Armies

An even higher rank, that being General of the Armies of the United States, has only been conferred twice in the history of the United States armed forces. The title of General of the Armies of the United States was created when General John J. Pershing accepted the commission on 8 September 1919, was retired with that rank on 13 September 1924. He held the rank until his death on 15 July 1948. In the United States Army military hierarchy, General of the Armies is traditionally considered a rank superior to a five-star general. ... The armed forces of the United States of America consist of the United States Army United States Navy United States Air Force United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard Note: The United States Coast Guard has both military and law enforcement functions. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... General John Pershing John Joseph Black Jack Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948) was an officer in the United States Army. ... September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years). ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... September 13 is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years). ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... July 15 is the 196th day (197th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 169 days remaining. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Joint Resolution of Congress, Public Law 94-479, dated 11 October 1976 provided for the posthumous appointment of George Washington to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States. The appointment was backdated to July 4, 1776 so that Washington would be considered the senior most General of the United States for all time. As such, the resolution stated that "it is considered fitting and proper that no officer of the United States Army should outrank Lieutenant General George Washington". October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in Leap years). ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... Posthumous means after death. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was the successful Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and later became the first President of the United States, an office to which he was elected twice (1789-1797). ... July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... This article is about the year 1776. ...

U.S. commissioned officer ranks Download high resolution version (1520x800, 18 KB) Subject: Flag of the United States. ... For other uses, see United States (disambiguation) and US (disambiguation). ... In military organizations, a commissioned officer is a member of the service who derives authority directly from a sovereign power, and as such holds a commission from that power. ...
	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
United States Navy:	MIDN/OC	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	FADM	Admiral of the Navy
United States Marine Corps:	Midn	2ndLt	1stLt	Capt	Maj	LtCol	Col	BGen	MajGen	LtGen	Gen	(no equivalent)	(no equivalent)
United States Army:	Cdt	2LT	1LT	CPT	MAJ	LTC	COL	BG	MG	LTG	GEN	General of the Army	General of the Armies
United States 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)
United States Coast Guard:	CDT	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	(no equivalent)	(no equivalent)

The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... For the fishes called midshipman, see Midshipman fish In the navies of English-speaking countries, a midshipman is a subordinate officer, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank. ... USN Officer Candidate insignia Officer Candidate is a rank in some militaries of the world that is an appointed position while a person is in training to become an officer. ... Insignia of a United States Navy Ensign In the military of various countries, ensign is a junior rank of commissioned officer. ... LTJG insignia. ... A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ... In the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, a lieutenant commander (lieutenant-commander or Lt Cdr in the RN) is a commissioned officer superior to a lieutenant and inferior to a commander. ... Insignia of a United States Navy Commander Commander is a military rank used in many navies but not generally in armies or air forces. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... Admiral is a senior naval rank of the United States Navy which is also commonly known as a Four Star Admiral. It is the equivalent of a General in the United States Army and outranked by a Fleet Admiral. ... A Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy is an Admiral considered the equivalent of the United States Armys General of the Army. ... In the United States Navy, Admiral of the Navy is traditionally considered the equivalent of a six-star Admiral. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... For the fishes called midshipman, see Midshipman fish In the navies of English-speaking countries, a midshipman is a subordinate officer, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Insignia of a Major in the United States Military Major is a rank used in the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, and is the equivalent of a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Please see Colonel for other countries which use this rank Insignia of a United States Colonel Colonel is a rank of the US military. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... This article refers to the general definition of cadet. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Insignia of a Major in the United States Military Major is a rank used in the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, and is the equivalent of a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Please see Colonel for other countries which use this rank Insignia of a United States Colonel Colonel is a rank of the US military. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... In the United States Army military hierarchy, General of the Armies is traditionally considered a rank superior to a five-star general, also known as General of the Army (note the difference between the two ranks). ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aviation branch of the United States armed forces. ... This article refers to the general definition of cadet. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Insignia of a Major in the United States Military Major is a rank used in the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, and is the equivalent of a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Please see Colonel for other countries which use this rank Insignia of a United States Colonel Colonel is a rank of the US military. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Coast Guard shield The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the coast guard of the United States. ... This article refers to the general definition of cadet. ... Insignia of a United States Navy Ensign In the military of various countries, ensign is a junior rank of commissioned officer. ... LTJG insignia. ... A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ... In the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, a lieutenant commander (lieutenant-commander or Lt Cdr in the RN) is a commissioned officer superior to a lieutenant and inferior to a commander. ... Insignia of a United States Navy Commander Commander is a military rank used in many navies but not generally in armies or air forces. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... Admiral is a senior naval rank of the United States Navy which is also commonly known as a Four Star Admiral. It is the equivalent of a General in the United States Army and outranked by a Fleet Admiral. ...

See also

• List of U.S. military leaders by rank