General of the Army

General of the Army is a five-star General officer rank and the highest possible Military rank in the United States Army. The rank sits above the four-star General and is equivalent to the Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy and the General of the Air Force in the United States Air Force. It has been conferred during major conflicts, notably World War II and the Korean War, to recognize the most senior commanders of the Allied forces.

History and origins

The rank was formally established during the American Civil War under an Act of Congress in 1866, with the initial appointment of Ulysses S. Grant. This was followed by the promotion of William Tecumseh Sherman and Philip Sheridan, though the rank lapsed after Sheridan's tenure. It was revived during World War II by Public Law 78-482 in 1944 to align the United States Armed Forces with the senior command structure of its Allies, particularly the British Army's Field Marshal. The first modern appointments were George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Henry H. Arnold, with Omar Bradley promoted later during the Korean War. The rank of General of the Armies, a separate and superior designation, was held historically by John J. Pershing and posthumously awarded to George Washington.

Rank insignia and uniform

The rank insignia consists of five silver stars in a pentagonal pattern, worn on the Army Green Service Uniform shoulder loops or the Army Service Uniform epaulets. The Army dress uniform features the stars on the coat's sleeves, accompanied by intricate gold Oak leaf embroidery. The unique Army service cap for the rank bears a band of gold Oak leaf patterning and a U.S. coat of arms device. Accoutrements include a special Sam Browne belt for ceremonial duties and distinct Aiguillette cords. The Army flag for an officer of this rank displays five white stars on a red field.

Appointment and authority

Appointment requires confirmation by the United States Senate following nomination by the President of the United States, typically during a period of congressional war declaration or national emergency. The authority derives from Title 10 of the United States Code and is intended for officers commanding multiple Army groups or theater-level operations, such as the European Theater or the South West Pacific Area. Holders outrank all other U.S. military officers except a serving Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or a commissioned President of the United States. The rank is considered permanent, with officers remaining on active duty for life at full pay, as exemplified by Douglas MacArthur's post-World War II service in Japan and during the Korean War.

List of holders

The complete list of officers who have held the rank includes nine individuals. From the 19th century: Ulysses S. Grant (1866), William Tecumseh Sherman (1869), and Philip Sheridan (1888). From the 20th century: George C. Marshall (1944), Douglas MacArthur (1944), Dwight D. Eisenhower (1944), Henry H. Arnold (1944; later designated General of the Air Force), and Omar Bradley (1950). A special and superior rank, General of the Armies, has been held by John J. Pershing (1919) and posthumously conferred upon George Washington (1976). No appointments have been made since the Korean War, though the rank remains authorized by the United States Congress.

Equivalent ranks in other services

Direct equivalents within the United States Armed Forces are the Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy and the General of the Air Force in the United States Air Force. Equivalent ranks among key NATO allies include Field Marshal in the British Army and Royal Air Force, Général d'armée in the French Army, and Marshal of the Russian Federation in the Russian Armed Forces. In historical contexts, similar supreme ranks include Generalfeldmarschall in the German Wehrmacht and Da yuan shuai in the People's Liberation Army.

Category:Military ranks of the United States Army Category:Five-star officers of the United States