General of The Armies

General of the Armies of the United States, or more commonly referred to as General of the Armies, is the highest possible officer rank of the United States Army, serving directly under the president and holding nearly complete control over armed forces and uniformed services branches.

Only two men have held the rank of General of the Armies:

  • John J. Pershing in 1919 to honor his service in World War I
  • George Washington in 1976, as part of the American bicentennial celebrations, to commemorate his leadership and involvement in the founding of the United States.

Douglas MacArthur was considered for the rank, both during and after World War II, but a formal promotion order was never issued.

The rank serves directly under the president, and is superior to General of the Army, General of the Air Force and Fleet Admiral.

Read more about General Of The Armies:  Creation and Early Usage, World War I and John Pershing, World War II and Six-star Rank, Douglas MacArthur and The Renewed Effort, George Washington, Other "super Ranks"

Famous quotes containing the words general and/or armies:

    “I suggested to them also the great desirability of a general knowledge on the Island of the English language. They are under an English speaking government and are a part of the territory of an English speaking nation.... While I appreciated the desirability of maintaining their grasp on the Spanish language, the beauty of that language and the richness of its literature, that as a practical matter for them it was quite necessary to have a good comprehension of English.”
    —Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)

    “In the weakness of one kind of authority, and in the fluctuation of all, the officers of an army will remain for some time mutinous and full of faction, until some popular general, who understands the art of conciliating the soldiery, and who possesses the true spirit of command, shall draw the eyes of all men upon himself. Armies will obey him on his personal account. There is no other way of securing military obedience in this state of things.”
    —Edmund Burke (1729–1797)