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HAVE YOU EVER MET A 5 STAR GENERAL/ADMIRAL BEFORE? WHAT ARE YOUR EXPERIENCES?
Five-star ranks are extremely senior—usually the highest ranks. As an active rank, the position exists only in a minority of countries and is usually held by only a very few officers during wartime. In times of peace, it is usually held only as an honorary rank.
A five-star rank is a very senior military rank, first established in the United States in 1944, with a five-star insignia,[1] and corresponding ranks in other countries. The rank is that of the most senior operational military commanders, and within NATO's "standard rank scale" it is designated by the code OF-10.
Not all armed forces have such a rank, and in those that do the actual insignia of the "five-star ranks" may not contain five stars. For example: the insignia for the French OF-10 rank maréchal de France contains 7 stars; the insignia for the Portuguese marechal contains four gold stars; and many of the insignia of the ranks in Commonwealth of Nations contain no stars at all.
Despite the rarity and seniority of five-star officers, even more senior ranks have been adopted in the United States, namely, admiral of the navy and general of the armies. Other names for highly senior ranks from the twentieth century include généralissime (France), generalisimo (Spain) and generalissimus (USSR).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-star_rank
The following Americans have been promoted to five-star rank:
• Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy 15 December 1944
• General of the Army George Marshall 16 December 1944
• Fleet Admiral Ernest King 17 December 1944
• General of the Army Douglas MacArthur 18 December 1944
• Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz 19 December 1944
• General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower 20 December 1944
• General of the Army & Air Force Henry H. Arnold 21 December 1944 & 7 May 1949
• Fleet Admiral William Halsey, Jr. 11 December 1945
• General of the Army Omar Bradley 20 September 1950
• General of the Armies George Washington 4 July 1976, with an effective appointment date of 4 July 1776a
The timing of the first seven appointments was to establish both a clear order of seniority and a near-equivalence between the Army and Navy services. In 1949, Arnold was honored by being made the first, and to date only, general of the air force. He is the only American to serve in a five-star rank in two of its military services. By a Congressional Act of 24 March 1903, Admiral George Dewey's rank was established as admiral of the navy, a rank which was specified to be senior to the four-star rank of admiral and was equal to admiral of the fleet in the British Royal Navy. Admiral Dewey was the only individual ever appointed to this rank, which lapsed with his death on 16 January 1917. Admiral of the navy was considered superior to fleet admiral during World War II. On 3 September 1919, John Pershing was promoted to the rank of general of the armies (officially general of the armies of the United States) in recognition of his service during World War I. He is the only person promoted to this rank during their lifetime.
^a During the United States Bicentennial year, George Washington was posthumously appointed to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States by the congressional joint resolution Public Law 94-479 passed on 19 January 1976, with an effective appointment date of 4 July 1976 but having rank and precedence over all other grades of the Army, past or present. This restored Washington's position as the most senior US military officer. Between the joint resolution concerning Washington's rank, the fact that Omar Bradley was still alive, and thus still considered to be on active duty, and statements made and actions taken during and after World War II about the relationship between General of the Armies and General of the Army, it appears General of the Armies is superior in rank to General of the Army.
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F. CSM Charles Hayden SGT Robert George SPC Margaret Higgins SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan SGT Damaso V Santana LTC (Join to see) SFC George Smith MSG Andrew White MSgt George Cater SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SP5 Robert Ruck SGT Philip Roncari SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth 1stSgt Eugene Harless ]
Five-star ranks are extremely senior—usually the highest ranks. As an active rank, the position exists only in a minority of countries and is usually held by only a very few officers during wartime. In times of peace, it is usually held only as an honorary rank.
A five-star rank is a very senior military rank, first established in the United States in 1944, with a five-star insignia,[1] and corresponding ranks in other countries. The rank is that of the most senior operational military commanders, and within NATO's "standard rank scale" it is designated by the code OF-10.
Not all armed forces have such a rank, and in those that do the actual insignia of the "five-star ranks" may not contain five stars. For example: the insignia for the French OF-10 rank maréchal de France contains 7 stars; the insignia for the Portuguese marechal contains four gold stars; and many of the insignia of the ranks in Commonwealth of Nations contain no stars at all.
Despite the rarity and seniority of five-star officers, even more senior ranks have been adopted in the United States, namely, admiral of the navy and general of the armies. Other names for highly senior ranks from the twentieth century include généralissime (France), generalisimo (Spain) and generalissimus (USSR).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-star_rank
The following Americans have been promoted to five-star rank:
• Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy 15 December 1944
• General of the Army George Marshall 16 December 1944
• Fleet Admiral Ernest King 17 December 1944
• General of the Army Douglas MacArthur 18 December 1944
• Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz 19 December 1944
• General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower 20 December 1944
• General of the Army & Air Force Henry H. Arnold 21 December 1944 & 7 May 1949
• Fleet Admiral William Halsey, Jr. 11 December 1945
• General of the Army Omar Bradley 20 September 1950
• General of the Armies George Washington 4 July 1976, with an effective appointment date of 4 July 1776a
The timing of the first seven appointments was to establish both a clear order of seniority and a near-equivalence between the Army and Navy services. In 1949, Arnold was honored by being made the first, and to date only, general of the air force. He is the only American to serve in a five-star rank in two of its military services. By a Congressional Act of 24 March 1903, Admiral George Dewey's rank was established as admiral of the navy, a rank which was specified to be senior to the four-star rank of admiral and was equal to admiral of the fleet in the British Royal Navy. Admiral Dewey was the only individual ever appointed to this rank, which lapsed with his death on 16 January 1917. Admiral of the navy was considered superior to fleet admiral during World War II. On 3 September 1919, John Pershing was promoted to the rank of general of the armies (officially general of the armies of the United States) in recognition of his service during World War I. He is the only person promoted to this rank during their lifetime.
^a During the United States Bicentennial year, George Washington was posthumously appointed to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States by the congressional joint resolution Public Law 94-479 passed on 19 January 1976, with an effective appointment date of 4 July 1976 but having rank and precedence over all other grades of the Army, past or present. This restored Washington's position as the most senior US military officer. Between the joint resolution concerning Washington's rank, the fact that Omar Bradley was still alive, and thus still considered to be on active duty, and statements made and actions taken during and after World War II about the relationship between General of the Armies and General of the Army, it appears General of the Armies is superior in rank to General of the Army.
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F. CSM Charles Hayden SGT Robert George SPC Margaret Higgins SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan SGT Damaso V Santana LTC (Join to see) SFC George Smith MSG Andrew White MSgt George Cater SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SP5 Robert Ruck SGT Philip Roncari SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth 1stSgt Eugene Harless ]
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
Well SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I know many Generals who are currently serving: General Joe Votel [CENTCOM], General Raymond Tony Thomas [SOCOM] and General Vince Brooks [USFK] are classmates of mine from USMA class of 1980. There are other members of our class serving an 4 and 3 star generals still.
We had the honor to march in a corps-wide pass-in-review in honor of General of the Army Omar Bradley were Cadets at West Point in 1978, Bradley and Eisenhower were classmates from the USMA class of 1915.
I know many other generals who retired in the past ten years or so.
Images: General Joseph Votel; General Raymond Thomas; General Vincent Brooks; General Joseph L. Votel, left, will take the reins of Centcom, while General Tony Thomas took the reins of SOCOM
LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Christopher Mueller Capt Tom Brown Capt Seid Waddell CW5 Charlie Poulton SFC William Farrell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Robert George SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris RamseyCPL Eric Escasio SPC Margaret Higgins
We had the honor to march in a corps-wide pass-in-review in honor of General of the Army Omar Bradley were Cadets at West Point in 1978, Bradley and Eisenhower were classmates from the USMA class of 1915.
I know many other generals who retired in the past ten years or so.
Images: General Joseph Votel; General Raymond Thomas; General Vincent Brooks; General Joseph L. Votel, left, will take the reins of Centcom, while General Tony Thomas took the reins of SOCOM
LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Christopher Mueller Capt Tom Brown Capt Seid Waddell CW5 Charlie Poulton SFC William Farrell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Robert George SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris RamseyCPL Eric Escasio SPC Margaret Higgins
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1LT (Join to see)
USMA class of '80- I had the honor of meeting another well known classmate of yours last week, Sue Fulton. Not a general, but she has definitely had an influential career, especially after her retirement.
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SP5 Robert Ruck
In my short Army career I only saw two Generals. One a Brigadier from a distance. Another held an inspection while we were in the field at a place called Kleingartach. The inspection cost me two weeks extra duty because my hair touched the top of my ears. No barbers around. You'd think a General would have better things to do than rag on a Spec. 4. LOL.
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The highest I have ever met was a 3 Star. I got a coin from Chief Information Officer LTG Ferrell. I was chosen because of all the trips I lead as a level 1 Master Power Tech as an E4. It was quite an honor to meet him.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL:
I have met two Generals of the ARMY!
I didn't know if one was a General; so I asked him: and he WAS!
All of us sitting around at the table: LAUGHED!
Love You, My Sweet Friend-
Margaret
I have met two Generals of the ARMY!
I didn't know if one was a General; so I asked him: and he WAS!
All of us sitting around at the table: LAUGHED!
Love You, My Sweet Friend-
Margaret
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SPC Margaret Higgins
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL:
Funnily enough, I did not ask either General his name... or if I did, I don't recall what either one's name was.
I apologize, Hon.
-Your Friend, Margaret
Funnily enough, I did not ask either General his name... or if I did, I don't recall what either one's name was.
I apologize, Hon.
-Your Friend, Margaret
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1LT(P) (Join to see)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL - I think there is probably a distinction to be made here Margaret probably met Generals IN the Army not OF the Army like your original post asked about
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SPC Margaret Higgins
1LT(P) (Join to see) - I met two Generals that were retired from the Army, Sir...after I had retired as well.
Most Sincerely, Margaret
Most Sincerely, Margaret
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1LT(P) (Join to see)
SPC Margaret Higgins - Correct, I am not doubting your meeting them. But unless they had 5 Stars then they were not Generals OF the Army but Generals who were in the Army (and could have been 1-4 Star), the distinction is very imperative.
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Nope 4 Star is as High as I Go, Worked on CINCPACFLT Staff, ADM Thomas B. Haywards Staff right out of A School. Attached to RADM Dixon Chief of Staff for Intelligence.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Nature of My "Business" I would go on to Support CINCUSNAVEUR at NCU London, UK and would Serve as Master at Arms to Chief of Staff COMSPAWARSYSCOM. Working with 3 Flag Commands made me totally unfit for the Last 3rd of My Career doing Tactical Intelligence.
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I met James "Mad Mog" Mattis a few times when he was the CO of 7th Marines. He was a 4 star when he was forced to retire.
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I once gave a brief to the commanding General of all the ROK forces, not sure what his actual Rank was.
Being a Civil War Buff I often wonder why they never made Grant a 5 star in rank. In fact until they created the title General of the Army Grant wore 3 stars of a Lt General. As General of the Army he and later Sheridan wore 4 stars.
Being a Civil War Buff I often wonder why they never made Grant a 5 star in rank. In fact until they created the title General of the Army Grant wore 3 stars of a Lt General. As General of the Army he and later Sheridan wore 4 stars.
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SPC (Join to see)
Wasn't the General of the Army rank for the Civil War two stars but with an eagle in between, Top?
General of the Army and General of the Armies gets a little screwy.
General of the Army and General of the Armies gets a little screwy.
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
SPC (Join to see) - That insignia was used post war by Phillip Sheridan from 1872-1878. Until the early 1900s the Army was restricted from promoting anyone above 2 star rank (Major General) with the exception of 1 General to 3 stars (Lt General). He was the Commander of the entire Army.
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SPC (Join to see)
1stSgt Eugene Harless - If I remember correctly after the Civil War, Flag Officers were reverted back to 2 star ranks or lower as there was no longer a need for them. Some were also Brevet ranks as I recall, like General Custer. After the War he reverted back to a Lieutenant Colonel.
If memory serves we did this after World War I as well.
If memory serves we did this after World War I as well.
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
Yes, practically all officers were reverted back to lower grades. There was regular Army Rank, then they could be breveted to higher rank to fill command slots. To make things even more confusing there were commissions awarded by states and by volunteers. Many officers in the regular Army resigned in order to receive these higher ranks. The Regular US Army stayed relatively small during the war. Officers that chose to stay within these regiments and brigades had much less of a promotion opportunity.
Someone who was a West Point Graduate and serving as a 2nd or 1st Lt could resign and accept a commission as a Major, Lt Col or Colonel of Volunteers and be promoted quickly.
Someone who was a West Point Graduate and serving as a 2nd or 1st Lt could resign and accept a commission as a Major, Lt Col or Colonel of Volunteers and be promoted quickly.
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Got a coin from Vice Chief of Staff GEN Allyn, and got to meet GEN Frank Grass when he was Chief of NGB. No five stars, though.
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Marched in a parade in Abilene, Kansas, for the opening of the Eisenhower Library in about 1962. General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower stood on the reviewing stand. Being in the right file, I didn't "eyes right" -- marched right past without even seeing that great man.
As far as I know, Omar Bradley was the last of those promoted to General of the Army (5 stars) in 1945 or 1946.
As far as I know, Omar Bradley was the last of those promoted to General of the Army (5 stars) in 1945 or 1946.
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Three star is the highest I've met, the general was a very friendly man, shook hands with all of us TOC guards and wished us a good day.
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My mother met General of the Army Omar Bradley when she was a little girl. I think she said it was a Veterans Parade the family was attending.
As for Generals I've met three.
Brigadier General Hoefert, Land Component Commander of the Arizona Army National Guard
Brigadier General Pede, Commander of the Judge Advocate General Corps Legal Center and School
The third was an Aviation Brigadier General, I don't remember his name.
Though I haven't met him, I've seen him speak.
Major General McGuire, The Adjutant General of the Arizona National Guard.
A buddy of mine met Lieutenant General Kadavy, Director of the Army National Guard.
As for Generals I've met three.
Brigadier General Hoefert, Land Component Commander of the Arizona Army National Guard
Brigadier General Pede, Commander of the Judge Advocate General Corps Legal Center and School
The third was an Aviation Brigadier General, I don't remember his name.
Though I haven't met him, I've seen him speak.
Major General McGuire, The Adjutant General of the Arizona National Guard.
A buddy of mine met Lieutenant General Kadavy, Director of the Army National Guard.
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