Posted on Jan 9, 2014
Who is your greatest 5 Star General/Admiral or above of all time in the United States of America military and why?
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General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (26 January 1880 – 5 April 1964) was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army who was Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the Philippines Campaign, which made him and his father Arthur MacArthur, Jr., the first father and son to be awarded the medal. He was one of only five men ever to rise to the rank of General of the Army in the U.S. Army, and the only man ever to become a field marshal in the Philippine Army.
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Military History
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 60
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I have to go with George Washington.
He had a ragtag group with little or no training and very little subsistence or substance support. He helped create a great spy ring (intelligence) that directly aided the victory over the British who were vastly superior (had training, equipment, more men).
No other on the list did more with less.
#Merica
He had a ragtag group with little or no training and very little subsistence or substance support. He helped create a great spy ring (intelligence) that directly aided the victory over the British who were vastly superior (had training, equipment, more men).
No other on the list did more with less.
#Merica
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I'm going to go with Admiral Nimitz. firstly because I'm a Navy man. Secondly because none of those WWII Generals would have achieved any greatness if the Navy hadn't gotten them there in the first place. Your welcome.
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PO2 Steven Erickson
Bravo Zulu, PO3 (Join to see) One other point... Nimitz started with an old, busted-up and demoralized force. He was "given" command of the Pacific Fleet 10 days after Pearl Harbor. The entire US was afraid of a West Coast invasion by the Japanese.
In June of the following year (7 months - almost to the day), the same US Fleet soundly defeated the Japanese fleet, destroying 4 carriers and stopping an invasion of Midway.
This incredible - and humble - leader took us ALL THE WAY from Pearl Harbor to VJ day.
Certainly, I believe Nimitz has no peers in US Navy history.
GO NAVY!!!!
(P.S., Since Rickover [Father of the Nuclear Navy] only got 4 stars, he doesn't count, and - as the semi-psychopathic savant that he was - he couldn't make it in today's military.)
In June of the following year (7 months - almost to the day), the same US Fleet soundly defeated the Japanese fleet, destroying 4 carriers and stopping an invasion of Midway.
This incredible - and humble - leader took us ALL THE WAY from Pearl Harbor to VJ day.
Certainly, I believe Nimitz has no peers in US Navy history.
GO NAVY!!!!
(P.S., Since Rickover [Father of the Nuclear Navy] only got 4 stars, he doesn't count, and - as the semi-psychopathic savant that he was - he couldn't make it in today's military.)
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I think it is "The General" cause he can help you save money on your car insurance. Next would be General Chang cause that crispy chicken is awesome!!
lol, kidding
Don't have a favorite but I never did like MacArthur.
lol, kidding
Don't have a favorite but I never did like MacArthur.
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SSG Maurice P.
ME NEITHER..... HE DISRESPECTED GENERAL WAINWRIGHT WHO DESERVED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MORE THAN HE MacArthur
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SSG Maurice P.
Not to offend anyone......... anyone can take a ride on a Submarine to safety.............
ITS QUITE DIFFERENT WHEN YOUR A MIDDLE AGED MAJOR GENERAL HALF STARVED WEAK PHYSICALLY AND IN COMMAND OF MEN BEING TORTURED AND BAYONETTED AS YOU ENDURE THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH...............
ITS QUITE DIFFERENT WHEN YOUR A MIDDLE AGED MAJOR GENERAL HALF STARVED WEAK PHYSICALLY AND IN COMMAND OF MEN BEING TORTURED AND BAYONETTED AS YOU ENDURE THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH...............
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I'd have to echo a comment down below about Washington being the greatest General in American history.
If I am choosing from modern history persons, I'd have to put my vote to MacArthur... he had real stones, even speaking his mind to a sitting president. Guts - that's the man he was.
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SSG Maurice P.
I DON'T LIKE MACARTHUR BUT YES HE HAD BALLS IN KOREA AND TRUMAN WAS A WEAK KNEED POLITICIAN..............
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There's an interesting slide show here that may enliven the discussion. It only 20th century generals and not all of them are 5-stars:
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WASHINGTON -- As the country chooses a president Tuesday, a timely new book by a veteran military writer makes the case that it is now easier to sack the commander in chief than it is to remove the g...
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This is a tough question! GEN Douglas MacArthur has always been a favorite of mine. I usually enjoy leaders who had leadership styles outside the norm, but always had the faith and confidence of their men. His quotes are some of the best of all time.
Another favorite general is one whom I've had the pleasure of meeting and working for, GEN Tommy R. Franks, when I first ever deployed to Afghanistan. He will always be an all time favorite of mine. He's also a two time Vietnam vet. Plus he wore a holstered custom Springfield .45 ...what's not to like?
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This is a tough question and clearly no front runner all 5 stars have contributed to teamwork and leadership of the Military, I would choose George Marshal followed by Gen Bradley! Look forward to other view points.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CPT Endre Barath, I like your list, all were legends in their own time of Military History!
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<p>SFC Joe D: Have to go with General Washington. Undoubtedly all on the list are great military officers. Only two became Presidents. Only one risked ALL for his country...lives, fortunes, sacred honor as at the end of the Declaration of Independence. Everybody else had something to come home to. He was the Father of our country. He could have become king, but had the strength of character to insist that the country be lead by an elected President. He won our battles and war for independence with little more than determination and tenacity, but he also structured our freedom and democracy so we would stay independent. I see no flag officer on the list that accomplished one fifth of what Washington did, making Washington a giant among giants. General Eisenhower would be a distant second place, but one of this country's greatest leaders.</p><p><br></p><p>An excellent read on Washington is "His Excellency, George Washington" by Joseph J. Ellis. </p>
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Sir, thanks for the wonderful addition, it means a lot to know of his sacrifice to the country as a General, it all started from his lead. He is the father our country USA and it's made me realize the contributions he and America put forth effort. It's a very debatable subject. I definitely respect why he is #1 on a lot of peoples list. As stated, "I like GA MacArthur for personal reason also, I like to study him and have been to his Memorial in Norfolk, VA." Thanks for the wonderful perspective, very deserving.
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MacArthur and then Patton. Patton had a reputation as a hard ass, but only relieved one General of command. Bradley relived several and recommended the death penalty to several soldiers. MacArthur and Patton led from the front; the others from the rear. They both had more command time. Roosevelt and Truman feared MacArthur because they thought he would run for President. Marshall did not sign on to relieving MacArthur. Truman relieved MacArthur through Bradley. Roosevelt went to his commanders and listened. My 2 cents, all were great in their own right. But, leaders got to lead.
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