Posted on May 18, 2016
5 Star Generals of American Military History
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Just nine Americans have attained the Five-Star rank following its establishment during World War 2.
5 Star Generals of American Military History
Just nine Americans have attained the Five-Star rank following its establishment during World War 2.
Staff Writer (4/12/2016): The rank of General is recognized as the highest rank in most any army of the world and almost always represents a high-ranking official who has dedicated his/her career to the military. The United States military maintains several sub-ranks within the general rank itself and this position can go as high as a "5 star general" when the situation warrants. Note that the Army rank of 5 Star General is only specifically handed out at wartime during the most extreme of circumstances as it was to the men listed below during both World War 2 and the Korean War (their awarding date follows their name). As such, you'd be hard pressed to find a living, breathing 5 star general serving in today's military.
• George C. Marshall (16 Dec 1944)
• Douglas MacArthur (18 Dec 1944)
• Dwight D. Eisenhower (20 Dec 1944)
• Henry H. Arnold (21 Dec 1944)
• Omar Bradley (20 Sep 1950)
Additionally, the U.S. Navy maintains its own "Five Star" status in the form of the rank "Fleet Admiral". This rank was awarded to the men as follows (their awarding date follows their name):
• William D. Leahy (15 Dec 1944)
• Ernest J. King (17 Dec 1944)
• Chester W. Nimitz (19 Dec 1944)
• William F. Halsey, Jr. (11 Dec 1945)
Only one member of the United States Air Force (then as the "United States Army Air Force") has ever held the rank of 5-star general as "General of the Air Force". Henry H. Arnold also holds the distinction as the only person to ever achieve the 5-star rank in two branches of the U.S. Armed Forces:
• Henry H. Arnold (21 Dec 1944)
Of note is the grade of "General of the Armies of the United States", a position held by only two persons in American history - George Washington and John J. Pershing. Of the two, only General Pershing held the title while still alive, Washington being posthumously bestowed the honor by President Gerald Ford in 1976. Pershing earned the title in 1919 after his service in World War 1 and held it until his death on July 15th, 1948.
It also bears mention that, on March 24th, 1903, Admiral George Dewey (1837-1917) was honored with the special grade of "Admiral of the Navy" (retroactive to March 2nd, 1899) which was intended to be senior to the four-star admiral rank. Dewey remains the only US naval service member ever awarded this title. In 1944 (during World War 2), Admiral of the Navy was formally recognized as senior to the 5 star rank of Fleet Admiral.
General Ulysses S. Grant (of American Civil War fame) was given the rank of "General of the Army of the United States" by the U.S. Congress on July 25th, 1866. He wore the rank insignia with four stars and was reportedly never addressed by this title. Upon becoming President of the United States of America, the position fell to William T. Sherman on March 4th, 1869. Under Sherman's direction, the rank insignia was revised to showcase just two stars. On June 1st, 1888, the rank was passed to Philip Sheridan and its tenure ended with his death on August 5th, 1888.
5 Star Generals of American Military History
Just nine Americans have attained the Five-Star rank following its establishment during World War 2.
Staff Writer (4/12/2016): The rank of General is recognized as the highest rank in most any army of the world and almost always represents a high-ranking official who has dedicated his/her career to the military. The United States military maintains several sub-ranks within the general rank itself and this position can go as high as a "5 star general" when the situation warrants. Note that the Army rank of 5 Star General is only specifically handed out at wartime during the most extreme of circumstances as it was to the men listed below during both World War 2 and the Korean War (their awarding date follows their name). As such, you'd be hard pressed to find a living, breathing 5 star general serving in today's military.
• George C. Marshall (16 Dec 1944)
• Douglas MacArthur (18 Dec 1944)
• Dwight D. Eisenhower (20 Dec 1944)
• Henry H. Arnold (21 Dec 1944)
• Omar Bradley (20 Sep 1950)
Additionally, the U.S. Navy maintains its own "Five Star" status in the form of the rank "Fleet Admiral". This rank was awarded to the men as follows (their awarding date follows their name):
• William D. Leahy (15 Dec 1944)
• Ernest J. King (17 Dec 1944)
• Chester W. Nimitz (19 Dec 1944)
• William F. Halsey, Jr. (11 Dec 1945)
Only one member of the United States Air Force (then as the "United States Army Air Force") has ever held the rank of 5-star general as "General of the Air Force". Henry H. Arnold also holds the distinction as the only person to ever achieve the 5-star rank in two branches of the U.S. Armed Forces:
• Henry H. Arnold (21 Dec 1944)
Of note is the grade of "General of the Armies of the United States", a position held by only two persons in American history - George Washington and John J. Pershing. Of the two, only General Pershing held the title while still alive, Washington being posthumously bestowed the honor by President Gerald Ford in 1976. Pershing earned the title in 1919 after his service in World War 1 and held it until his death on July 15th, 1948.
It also bears mention that, on March 24th, 1903, Admiral George Dewey (1837-1917) was honored with the special grade of "Admiral of the Navy" (retroactive to March 2nd, 1899) which was intended to be senior to the four-star admiral rank. Dewey remains the only US naval service member ever awarded this title. In 1944 (during World War 2), Admiral of the Navy was formally recognized as senior to the 5 star rank of Fleet Admiral.
General Ulysses S. Grant (of American Civil War fame) was given the rank of "General of the Army of the United States" by the U.S. Congress on July 25th, 1866. He wore the rank insignia with four stars and was reportedly never addressed by this title. Upon becoming President of the United States of America, the position fell to William T. Sherman on March 4th, 1869. Under Sherman's direction, the rank insignia was revised to showcase just two stars. On June 1st, 1888, the rank was passed to Philip Sheridan and its tenure ended with his death on August 5th, 1888.
5 Star Generals of American Military History
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Thanks for sharing and honoring the five star flag officers from the 20th century SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
The only one I ever saw in person was General of the Army Omar Bradley when he came back to West Point in the late 1970s and we had a full cadet brigade parade in honor of him as he sat in his wheelchair bundled up. His head was gray but his eyes seemed focused as we passed in review.
SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT
The only one I ever saw in person was General of the Army Omar Bradley when he came back to West Point in the late 1970s and we had a full cadet brigade parade in honor of him as he sat in his wheelchair bundled up. His head was gray but his eyes seemed focused as we passed in review.
SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT
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SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT
LTC Stephen F. SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas CPT Walt Tollefson Proud to say as an MP stationed at West Point. I had the honor of saluting General of the Army Omar Bradley as he was pushed past my control point he was wheel chair bound.
It one of several historic military moments during my 3 1/2 years at the Point.
It one of several historic military moments during my 3 1/2 years at the Point.
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I think you have to mention SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL that General Eisenhower was also the First SHAEF Commander in addition to being a US five Star General, he outranked all of the British and French Commanders under his command as "Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Forces" in the European theater.
In the Pacific War the equivalent commander was Admiral Nimitz, to whom General MacArthur reported to.
Since the end of Hostilities in WWII in Europe we have had a US flag Level Officer who has served as The commander of Allied Command Operations has also retained the title "Supreme Allied Commander Europe" (SACEUR), and continues to be a U.S. four-star general officer or flag officer who also serves as Commander, U.S. European Command.
In the Pacific War the equivalent commander was Admiral Nimitz, to whom General MacArthur reported to.
Since the end of Hostilities in WWII in Europe we have had a US flag Level Officer who has served as The commander of Allied Command Operations has also retained the title "Supreme Allied Commander Europe" (SACEUR), and continues to be a U.S. four-star general officer or flag officer who also serves as Commander, U.S. European Command.
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LTC John Mohor
Capt Lance Gallardo i’ve Never read anything about WWII where McArthur ever reported to Nimitz. By prior dates of rank I don’t see how that could ever happen. Even at five star rank MacArthur outranked Nimitz by one day. Also just look at video of the Surrender Ceremony on USS Missouri. Just had to point it out to you. Have a great day!
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