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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Omar Bradley, a soldiers soldier, nothing more needs to be said. Douglas MacArthur couldn't/wouldn't follow the orders of his president and was relieved. Eisenhower, was a brilliant strategist, Mac Arthur referred to him as the best Clerk he ever had. Bradley got out there and led from the front, took the same hardships that his troops did. None of the others were known for that.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CW3 Kevin Storm great compare and contrast. I truly respect your choice.
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I'm going with Bradley, because he was the ONLY person on the planet that could control Patton.
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I am amazed at how Army centric the responses are. I'm glad there are some Navy/Marine Corps folks out there, speaking up for the sea services, though...
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I would probably say George Washington, given the history of our country, but I don't think 5-star rank existed back then. Of the 20th century, I'd have to give the nod to FADM Nimitz...
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No argument, but he was the first GOA and POTUS, so he is definitely important...
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Well, if it is General of the Army (5 star) I might have to go with Bradley. why him? He was a Soldiers, Soldier. He was willing to get dirty and slug it out with the Joes. Although Marshall and Eisenhower did have their moments as well. Marshall having to deal with the egos in both oceans. Anyone care to hazard the war with MacArthur and Patton in the same AO? Ike had to maintain a coalition and defeat the Germans.
But what about Arnold (not that one, Hap Arnold) first a General of the Army, and then following the creation of the Air Force became General of the Air Force. So he gets a 2 for 1.
I don't think for the purposes of the discussion that the Post Civil War; General of the Armies (4 star) would count. Given the era, it seems as if congress was creating a rank based on a position. One that we now call, Cheif of Staff. That removes Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan.
Since we are on 4 star General of the Armies, I think Pershing counts. Just based upon his dealings before World War I help to cement his legend. What he did in the Philippines was brilliant.
But there is the "First amongst equals," General of the Armies of the United States, a potential 6 star rank. Bestowed on George Washington in recognition of his service to the nation:
"Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington of Virginia commanded our armies throughout and to the successful termination of our Revolutionary War;
Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington presided over the convention that formulated our Constitution;
Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington twice served as President of the United States of America; and
Whereas it is considered fitting and proper that no officer of the United States Army should outrank Lieutenant General George Washington on the Army list: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) for purposes of subsection (b) of this section only, the grade of General of the Armies of the United States is established, such grade to have rank and precedence over all other grades of the Army, past or present.
(b) The President is authorized and requested to appoint George Washington posthumously to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States, such appointment to take effect on July 4, 1976.
Personally, I think its a tight race between Washington and Bradley. Sure Washington had to fall back on French reinforcements. But look at what Washington started with, molded, built, and finished with. The United Colonies lost a lot of the battles, but with the adoption of Indian tactics (c'mon, who hides behind trees to shoot?) he was able to keep the Army and the militias together long enough to win the war. Not many can claim that. Plus figure in the politics of maintaining an army without a budget, and George shines even more.
But what about Arnold (not that one, Hap Arnold) first a General of the Army, and then following the creation of the Air Force became General of the Air Force. So he gets a 2 for 1.
I don't think for the purposes of the discussion that the Post Civil War; General of the Armies (4 star) would count. Given the era, it seems as if congress was creating a rank based on a position. One that we now call, Cheif of Staff. That removes Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan.
Since we are on 4 star General of the Armies, I think Pershing counts. Just based upon his dealings before World War I help to cement his legend. What he did in the Philippines was brilliant.
But there is the "First amongst equals," General of the Armies of the United States, a potential 6 star rank. Bestowed on George Washington in recognition of his service to the nation:
"Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington of Virginia commanded our armies throughout and to the successful termination of our Revolutionary War;
Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington presided over the convention that formulated our Constitution;
Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington twice served as President of the United States of America; and
Whereas it is considered fitting and proper that no officer of the United States Army should outrank Lieutenant General George Washington on the Army list: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) for purposes of subsection (b) of this section only, the grade of General of the Armies of the United States is established, such grade to have rank and precedence over all other grades of the Army, past or present.
(b) The President is authorized and requested to appoint George Washington posthumously to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States, such appointment to take effect on July 4, 1976.
Personally, I think its a tight race between Washington and Bradley. Sure Washington had to fall back on French reinforcements. But look at what Washington started with, molded, built, and finished with. The United Colonies lost a lot of the battles, but with the adoption of Indian tactics (c'mon, who hides behind trees to shoot?) he was able to keep the Army and the militias together long enough to win the war. Not many can claim that. Plus figure in the politics of maintaining an army without a budget, and George shines even more.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SSG (Join to see) Well said and articulately profound response. Thanks for the in-depth analysis at the 5 star and beyond level.
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Cpl Mark McMiller
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I really didn't know much about MacArthur other than the, "Dougout Doug" slur from WW2 until I read the book, "American Caesor" a few years ago; it's a great read, and up until I read that book, I didn't have a very good opinion of him. Sure he did some stupid things in his career, such as attacking the bonus army when he was chief of staff. But he really was fearless and a great leader. People really need to understand what dire straits the allies were in at the beginning of WW2 in order to realize what a genius MacArthur was.
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I am not a fan of Dugout Dug. I personnally liked Marshal and Bradley the best. Me = extensive reader. All of them have a lot of criticism and all did exceptionally well in their era. Our first CinC General George Washington though...
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
MAJ Keira Brennan, thanks for the introspective insight on GOA MacArthur, a General among Generals to say the least. Great Post!!
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SSG Leonard Johnson
Well ma'am, I never heard that before and I read a lot I mean a lot of biographies biblical biographies and history on this subject. It might just be, this is a false report. Look at people nowadays on Facebook and such they never bothered to go look for their own news, research and verify. This may have been the case in his days.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
I can't in way shape or form say Mac Arthur deserves this nod. Lets look at what he did post 12/7/1941 to the fall of Corregidor. Instead of putting up his aircraft or at least moving them, he did nothing, no orders he sat around stunned. Getting food to his troops in the field, didn't do such a great job with that either. Korea, damn near leads us into WWIII, and has to be relieved of command because of his arrogance, and refusal to follow orders. Compare this to other great leaders, he is not in the class. Exactly what did he get an MOH for? Talk about the most mysterious one of them all, if it reviewed under todays scrutiny I doubt he would of gotten a silver star.
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