Who is your greatest 5 Star General/Admiral or above of all time in the United States of America military and why?

He is known as the Father of this country, for a good reason.

While I like Washington, I have to disagree he was the greatest. The French sending troops, cannon, and their Navy was the turning point for winning the Revolutionary War.

Cpl Mark McMiller I visited Yorktown Battlefield, amazing!
http://www.nps.gov/yonb/index.htm

The real turning point occurred with victories at Trenton and Princeton. Washington had not won a battle in 2016 until the aforementioned battles. His strategy was not to fight the British head on. His goal was to avoid battles and to preserve his small army. Morale was very low and the size of the Continental Army was perhaps around 3,000. Many soldiers and civilians did not believe we could win the war. The two victories woke up Americans and many more soldiers enlisted significantly in 1777. Washington had to prove to the French that we had the capability of winning the war before they committed to our cause.

The only reason we won the revolutionary war is that the British continuously made idiotic mistakes. They had the war won in both Boston and New York, and only from complete ineptitude,
Washington and his Army got away. General Howe basically made every mistake possible allowing Washington to score victories and avoid defeat.

Good information Sir, I did not know this. Thanks

I have to disagree. We won the Revolutionary War because of the French. We won the war in the Pacific in WW2 because MacArthur held out long enough in the Philippines to knock Japan's time table back a few months, giving us time to build up our military might. Don't get me started on his island hopping campaign or the Inchon landing during the Korean War. I think MacArthur is the greatest military genius this country has ever had.

Macarthur didn't hold out in the Phillipines. FDR ordered him to evacuate. And the defense of Corregidor, while valiant, did not slow down the Japanese. In early 1942 (during the time of the Phillipines fighting) the Japanese were ahead of their strategic timetables and were contemplating how to finish the US in the Pacific Theater off. What truly slowed them down was the Battle of Midway, which cost the Japanese the bulk of their experienced carrier pilots, along with 4 aircraft carriers.

I will have to read up on that, thanks for the insight

CPT, you demonstrate a keen understanding of the entire history of MacArthur. No question, at times brilliant, but clearly somebody who had just as many flaws.

Thanks Master Chief! I always appreciate a vote of confidence from a senior leader. Hard to reconcile the facts, and that same sad incident also colored my opinion on Pershing (who gave the order) and MAJs Eisenhower and Patton who were also there. I do get the reality of orders being orders and people like us having to carry them out, however reluctantly, but we also have a responsibility to not follow the unlawful, immoral order, with the certain knowledge that not following an order is done at our own peril . . .

Yep not too many people know about 28 July 1932. Veteran of WWI and families were camped out in Washington, DC. One of the long list of times when promises to Veterans were forgotten by the Government, and one of the time, the same military that some of these Veterans had served in were used to swept it under the rug.

I couldn't agree more. When the Boss says pipe down and color inside the lines, you shut up and grab a crayon.

SFC Bosley, interesting point here.  Does this same argument imply what your opinion of GEN McChrystal would be then, since he also got relieved?

I would have to hold GEN McChrystal in the same category.  Overall I think he was an excellent leader, but when you get called to the White House to have the President chew your hind quarters, it sends a clear message.  I don't mean to diminish the accomplishments of either of these great men.  Both accomplished a great deal in their careers.  I wouldn't hold them as the greatest.  Personally I go with Marshall.

I have spoken with many World War II veterans at my VFW post. All the soldiers and Marines who fought in the Pacific had one thing in common it seems, they hated MacArthur. They generally agreed that he was an egotistical a-hole and could care less about the troops, they stated he was all about his own legacy and making money. They also stated that MacArther was part owner of the only high-rise in the Philippines at the time and it just so happened that the only floor of the hotel that was destroyed during the war was The one that happened to be owned by MacArther. It seems as if every soldier/Marine that passed by took a potshot at his floor.

I'm sorry MAJ Dewes but Grant isnt even in the running. For the biggest reason, he was never a 5 star general, he was a 3 star serving in the capacity of General of the Army. Second and what I consider most important, he was a terrible commander who only knew how to throw more meat into the grinder. Grant was only successful because he had more bodies to throw at the confederacy. Not a good commander in my opinion.

SFC Joseph Bosley I agree with you on both counts. Grant was notorious for throwing bodies at a fight. With that said, I still like the guy's style. The guy carried barrels of whiskey with him and, by most accounts, could be slobbering drunk one night, but be up at dawn and perfectly functional the next morning. I respect him for his grittiness and the fact that, regardless of method, he got the job done.

One of the reasons of the Civil War was so bloody was the means of Warfare were in the midst of changing. Many of those who rose to rank of General on both sides were still trained in the old style. As for the campaign of Richmond in 1864-1865 resembled the Western Front in WWI than it did any battle of the Civil War. So it wasn't entirely the field commanders fault. They were just using outdated tactics. The same results happen again in every war up WWII. Even the British Army still seem to forget the basic lessons of WWI taught in WWII and Falkland Islands.

As a matter of fact Washington official Rank during the Revolutionary War was only Lt. General. Once Grant was made Lt. General, Washington was promoted to full General. Only reason Grant was made a Lt General so Lincoln could promote to the position as Chief of Army Staff. Before this point in the Union Army all Army, Corps, and Many Divisional Commander were all Major Generals. When Army and Corps commander were change, several transfers or resignations were put in.

So with that said, it is kind disappointing that Grant isn't included. Yes he got the job done, it part of the reason Lincoln promoted him. Yes, I know he was drunk, but I have known a number of drunks who could role into the barrack shit face 3:30 A.M and 6:00 A.M. ready to do P.T. in the morning.

SFC Joseph Bosley - Then in that case neither is Washington, as he was never a 5 star while he was alive.

SSG Horton, great that you are intrigued, it is always great to learn history and share knowledge.

Enough said, I like him also as my second pick

Agreed but first choice is Black Jack Pershing