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.
SPC Margaret Higgins COL Mikel J. Burroughs CPL Dave Hoover Lt Col Charlie Brown Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SCPO Morris Ramsey PVT Mark Zehner Sgt (Join to see) SSG Michael Noll SSG Robert Mark Odom CPL Douglas Chrysler PO1 Tony Holland] SPC Mark Huddleston CW5 Jack Cardwell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO1 Lyndon Thomas PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Mark Estes Maj Marty Hogan Capt Dwayne Conyers
SPC Margaret Higgins COL Mikel J. Burroughs CPL Dave Hoover Lt Col Charlie Brown Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SCPO Morris Ramsey PVT Mark Zehner Sgt (Join to see) SSG Michael Noll SSG Robert Mark Odom CPL Douglas Chrysler PO1 Tony Holland] SPC Mark Huddleston CW5 Jack Cardwell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO1 Lyndon Thomas PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Mark Estes Maj Marty Hogan Capt Dwayne Conyers
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Military History
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 60
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Certainly not MacArthur. I've talked to WW-II vets that had 1st person interactions with him. He was a bit of a premadonna. I've also known someone who was close to Patton. His impression was the man was absolutely brilliant & seriously insane at the same time. But Patton would have never gotten 5 stars. Ike was okay but the one that always impressed me was Omar Bradley. He was a soldier's solder, always concerned for the troops, fair, & not flamboyant with his rank. He did so much for the reconstruction of Europe after the war making him very flexible in his duties.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
My second choice is GA Omar Bradley, the Noblest General of all time, he certainly commanded over 1.3 million Soldiers at one time "unbelievable" it's just incredible the achievements made by all fighting for one common goal "Victory in WWII"
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CMC Robert Young
SSG Watkins, we had here in town a WWII Third Army vet who spoke very well of Patton, but stated that he was clearly a different personality than what was typically portrayed by the media and even historians. It's always interesting to have the insight of those who were actually there.
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SSG Ralph Watkins
Working for the VA system I met quite a few people who were around famous people & events. I always thought was interesting is when you get a bunch of us vets together & start talking about "unique" people & situations from our military years & find how we all related to it or know of a similar situation. Then you realize those in the group joking & carrying on with you are from different wars, different campaigns, & different eras.
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When I was a cadet at USMA, West Point from 1976 to 1980 I had the honor to be part of the Corps of cadets which paraded for General of the Armies Omar Bradley SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. While he was confined in a wheelchair and wrapped in blankets his eyes were intense as he understood the significance of the parade in honor of this old soldier.
I believe you were stationed at West point as well during this parade SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT.
I believe you were stationed at West point as well during this parade SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL My favorite 5 Star General is General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The reason is because he mastered the art of leadership. His greatest attribute was always being able to look at a situation the next level up. From the perspective of this view point he was able to accurately analyze the needs of the Army. The way Soldiers are trained today is reflective of his insistence that a Soldier not only know how to perform a task but that they understand the reasons behind performing the tasks. He also recognized the need for leaders who are logical and analytical. Officers who could act quickly making decisions and not be stuck in following methods. He was the first to institute what we now refer to as mission oriented leadership.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CPT (Join to see) thank you for your well though response, I couldn't agree more with the logical and analytical methods of learning and training. I never heard anybody say that of GOA Eisenhower. Well said and articulately conveyed.
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Another 5 star who often gets overlooked but without his forethought the post war would have been very different...Marshall. Were it not for the Marshall plan much of Europe would have fallen to the communists then what did. The out come of US century might have been altered forever.
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I would have to give the nod to FADM Chester Nimitz. He was absolutely crucial to holding the Japanese Imperial Navy at bay with only what was left after Pearl Harbor, inflicting a crushing defeat on Japan at Midway, Phillipine Sea, and Leyte Gulf. He was the man to sign for the United States on the deck of the Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
Not bad for a man who was Court Marshalled for running his Destroyer aground as an Ensign.
Not bad for a man who was Court Marshalled for running his Destroyer aground as an Ensign.
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Maybe because he was never a General in the Union army or...Robert E Lee was in my opinion the greatest military genius the United States has ever seen Most feel that had Lee anywhere near the resources of the North the "Civil war" would have had a very different outcome
Washington, though a sentimental favorite hardly commanded forces larger than normally delegated a Colonel, such were the times and communications
Washington, though a sentimental favorite hardly commanded forces larger than normally delegated a Colonel, such were the times and communications
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Maybe because he was never a General in the Union army or...Robert E Lee was in my opinion the greatest military genius the United States has ever seen Most feel that had Lee anywhere near the resources of the North the "Civil war" would have had a very different outcome
Washington, though a sentimental favorite hardly commanded forces larger than normally delegated a Colonel, such were the times and communications
Washington, though a sentimental favorite hardly commanded forces larger than normally delegated a Colonel, such were the times and communications
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SPC Stewart Smith
Yes. I agree. Though I'm torn between him being a patriot or a traitor. Though I guess he was technically both.
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PV2 Abbott Shaull
The on only fault I would have with Robert E. Lee during his entire life time, was the fact that he showed more loyalty to his State. One has to remember the United States, as conceived by the Founding Father, is Central Government that organized a common Defense, Trade, and Foreign policy for the 13 independent States that had gained freedom from England by the signing of the Treaty of 1783 in Paris. The Federal Government has grown quite a bit since 1860 to what it is today, by legal rights, any State in the Union has the right to succeed from it, if it so desire. For all of the History, really got wrong, the Civil War/War between the States, wasn't caused by Lincoln or set out to free the slaves, it was caused by misunderstandings and mistrust much like we have seen in the last several seatings of the U.S. Congress where both sides don't want to comprimes with the other. In all the silliness, Lee went where he grew up with, many went to serve with their State, like Lee, but just as many stayed. Then again some from the North went to the South to show support. Just as many slaves served along side their masters in the Confederate Army. Just a shame that everyone looks as the Confederate Battle Flag and equate that to hate against people.
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I'd have to go with either Admiral Bull Halsey, or Admiral Nimitz. Earned his pilots wings at 52 to command a Carrier. Was an effective commander during World War II, and Chester Nimitz was the CINCPAC during World War II. <br><br>I"m not a huge fan of MacArthur.<br><br>
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MAJ Joseph Parker
CPL Fernandez; Thank you for loyally supporting the Navy on this thread! Admiral Halsey was an aggressive commander, but reckless and lucky at times. Perhaps our Naval RP'ers would support Nimitz (Halsey's boss) a little more. Nimitz certainly had fewer Boards of Inquiry over his tactics during WWII.
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Cpl Ray Fernandez
Yes Sir, I'm quite familiar with Halsey's Typhoon, but a great part of the error there was that he received conflicting information from Pearl Harbor, and his own weather teams when it came to the board of inquiry.
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Suspended Profile
Cpl Ray Fernandez I don't think CINCPAC actually existed then, did it? Nimitz was CINCPACFLT, which also doubled as the unified commander. But I go along with you that Nimitz should be it. I am a Navy guy after all...
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My vote is for Washington our countries Father and our shining example of a Leader who was not just brilliant as a warrior and especially as a organizer / logistical genius, but who also chose to NOT become a King when it was offered. And that alone is enough to make him the greatest.
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