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List of United States Army four-star generals

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four-star general

This is a complete list of four-star generals in the United States Army, past and present. The rank of general (or full general, or four-star general) is the highest rank normally achievable in the U.S. Army. It ranks above lieutenant general (three-star general) and below General of the Army (five-star general).

There have been 256 four-star generals in the history of the U.S. Army. Of these, 242 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Army; eight were promoted after retirement; five were promoted posthumously; and one (George Washington) was appointed to that rank in the Continental Army, the U.S. Army's predecessor. Generals entered the Army via several paths: 161 were commissioned via the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), 53 via Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university, 16 via direct commission (direct), 14 via Officer Candidate School (OCS), eight via ROTC at a senior military college, one via ROTC at a military junior college, one via direct commission in the Army National Guard (ARNG), one via the aviation cadet program, and one via battlefield commission.

List of generals[]

Entries in the following list of four-star generals are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was promoted to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Army. Each entry lists the general's name, date of rank,[1] active-duty positions held while serving at four-star rank,[2] number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank (Yrs),[3] year commissioned and source of commission,[4] number of years in commission when promoted to four-star rank (YC),[5] and other biographical notes.[6]

# Name Photo Date of rank[1] Position[2] Yrs[3] Commission[4] YC[5] Notes[6]
* George Washington
Portrait of George Washington-transparent
 15 Jun 1775   8 1775 (direct) 0 (1732–1799)[7] Promoted to General of the Armies, 4 Jul 1976. U.S. President, 1789–1797. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1776.
1 Ulysses S. Grant
USGrantVignette
 25 Jul 1866   5 1843 (USMA) 23 (1822–1885)[8] U.S. President, 1869–1877. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1863. Married great-aunt of Navy four-star admiral U. S. Grant Sharp Jr.
2 William T. Sherman
William-Tecumseh-Sherman
 4 Mar 1869   14 1840 (USMA) 29 (1820–1891) Superintendent, Louisiana Seminary of Learning and Military Academy, 1860–1861. Brother of U.S. Secretary of State John Sherman.
3 Philip H. Sheridan
Philip Sheridan 1-restored
 1 Jun 1888   0 1853 (USMA) 35 (1831–1888) Died in office.
4 Tasker H. Bliss
General Tasker Bliss
 6 Oct 1917   2 1875 (USMA) 42 (1853–1930)[9][10] Governor, U.S. Soldiers' Home, 1920–1927.
5 John J. Pershing
General John Joseph Pershing head on shoulders
 6 Oct 1917   7 1886 (USMA) 31 (1860–1948) Promoted to General of the Armies, 3 Sep 1919. Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 1923–1948; Chairman, Tacna-Arica Plebiscitary Commission, 1925–1926. Awarded Pulitzer Prize for History, 1932; Congressional Gold Medal, 1946.
6 Peyton C. March
Peyton C. March
 20 May 1918   2 1888 (USMA) 30 (1864–1955)[10]
7 Charles P. Summerall
Charles P. Summerall
 23 Feb 1929   1 1892 (USMA) 37 (1867–1955)[11] President, The Citadel, 1931–1953.
8 Douglas MacArthur
General Douglas MacArthur (signature removed)
 21 Nov 1930   15 1903 (USMA) 27 (1880–1964)[12] Promoted to general of the Army, 18 Dec 1944. Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1919–1922. Awarded Medal of Honor, 1942; Congressional Gold Medal, 1962. Grandson of Wisconsin Governor Arthur MacArthur Sr.; uncle of U.S. Ambassador Douglas MacArthur II. Relieved, 1951.
9 Malin Craig
Malin-craig
 2 Oct 1935   8 1898 (USMA) 37 (1875–1945)[13]
10 George C. Marshall Jr.
George Marshall 1947
 1 Sep 1939   6 1902 (VMI)[14] 38 (1880–1959)[15] Promoted to general of the Army, 16 Dec 1944. Special Representative of the President in China, 1945–1947; U.S. Secretary of State, 1947–1949; Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 1949–1959; President, American Red Cros, 1949–1950; U.S. Secretary of Defense, 1950–1951. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1946; Nobel Peace Prize, 1953.
* John L. Hines
Maj. Gen. J.L. Hines, Chief of Staff, 9-13-(24) LCCN2016849427 (cropped)
 15 Jun 1940  
  • (retired)
 0 1891 (USMA) 49 (1868–1968)[16] Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, 1924–1926.
11 Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D Eisenhower
 11 Feb 1943   6 1915 (USMA) 28 (1890–1969)[17] Promoted to general of the Army, 20 Dec 1944. President, Columbia University, 1948–1953; U.S. President, 1953–1961.
12 Henry H. Arnold
Henry H. Arnold 1947
 19 Mar 1943   3 1907 (USMA) 36 (1886–1950)[19] Promoted to general of the Army, 21 Dec 1944; to general of the Air Force, 7 May 1949.
13 Joseph W. Stilwell
Stilwell001
 1 Aug 1944   2 1904 (USMA) 40 (1883–1946) Died in office.
14 Walter Krueger
General Walter Krueger
 5 Mar 1945   1 1901 (direct) 44 (1881–1967)[20]
15 Brehon B. Somervell
General Brehon B. Somervell
 6 Mar 1945   1 1914 (USMA) 31 (1892–1955)[21]
16 Joseph T. McNarney
GEN Joseph T. McNarney
 7 Mar 1945   7 1915 (USMA) 30 (1893–1972)[19]
17 Jacob L. Devers
GEN Jacob L. Devers
 8 Mar 1945   4 1909 (USMA) 36 (1887–1979) Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 1960–1969.
18 George C. Kenney
General George Churchill Kenney
 9 Mar 1945   6 1917 (cadet) 28 (1889–1977)[19]
19 Mark W. Clark
General Mark W. Clark (cropped)
 10 Mar 1945   8 1917 (USMA) 28 (1896–1984)[22] President, The Citadel, 1954–1966; Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 1969–1984.
20 Carl A. Spaatz
Carl Spaatz, Air Force photo portrait, color
 11 Mar 1945   3 1914 (USMA) 31 (1891–1974)[19]
21 Omar N. Bradley
Omar Bradley, official military photo, 1949
 12 Mar 1945   8 1915 (USMA) 30 (1893–1981) Promoted to general of the Army, 22 Sep 1950. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1977.
22 Thomas T. Handy
GEN Thomas T. Handy, USA
 13 Mar 1945   9 1916 (VMI)[14] 29 (1892–1982)
23 George S. Patton Jr.
General George Patton by Robert F. Cranston, Lee Elkins, and Harry Warnecke, 1945, color carbro print, from the National Portrait Gallery - NPG-NPG 95 404Patton-000002
 14 Apr 1945   0 1909 (USMA) 36 (1885–1945) Died in office. Father-in-law of Army four-star general John K. Waters.
24 Courtney H. Hodges
Lt. Gen. Courtney H. Hodges (cropped)
 15 Apr 1945   4 1909 (direct) 36 (1887–1966)
25 Jonathan M. Wainwright IV
Jonathan M. Wainwright (cropped)
 5 Sep 1945   1 1906 (USMA) 39 (1883–1953) Awarded Medal of Honor, 1945.
26 Lucius D. Clay
GEN Lucius D. Clay portrait (cropped)
 28 Mar 1947   2 1918 (USMA) 29 (1897–1978) Special Representative of the President in Berlin, 1961–1962. Son of U.S. Senator Alexander S. Clay; father of Air Force four-star general Lucius D. Clay Jr.
27 J. Lawton Collins
J-lawton-collins-1948
 24 Jan 1948   8 1917 (USMA) 31 (1896–1987) U.S. Special Representative to Vietnam, 1954–1955.
28 Wade H. Haislip
Wade Haislip
 1 Oct 1949   2 1912 (USMA) 37 (1889–1971) Governor, U.S. Soldiers' Home, 1951–1966.
* Walton H. Walker
Walton H. Walker (US Army General)
 2 Jan 1951  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1912 (USMA) 39 (1889–1950)[24] Died in office. Father of Army four-star general Sam S. Walker.
29 Matthew B. Ridgway
Matthew B. Ridgway
 11 May 1951   4 1917 (USMA) 34 (1895–1993) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1986; Congressional Gold Medal, 1990.
30 Walter Bedell Smith
Lieutenant General Walter Bedell Smith, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front, in uniform
 1 Jul 1951   2 1917 (direct) 34 (1895–1961) U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1946–1949; U.S. Under Secretary of State, 1953–1954.
31 John E. Hull
John E. Hull (GEN) (cropped)
 30 Jul 1951   4 1917 (direct) 34 (1895–1975)
32 James A. Van Fleet
James A. Van Fleet
 31 Jul 1951   2 1915 (USMA) 36 (1892–1992) Special Representative of the President in the Far East, 1954.
33 Alfred M. Gruenther
Alfred Maximilian Gruenther
 1 Aug 1951   5 1917 (USMA) 34 (1899–1983) President, American Red Cros, 1957–1964.
34 John R. Hodge
John reed hodge
 5 Jul 1952   1 1917 (direct) 35 (1893–1963)
35 Maxwell D. Taylor
Maxwell D Taylor official portrait
 23 Jun 1953   9 1922 (USMA) 31 (1901–1987)[25] Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1945–1949; U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam, 1964–1965; President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 1966–1969.
36 Charles L. Bolte
Charles L. Bolte
 30 Jul 1953   2 1917 (direct) 36 (1895–1989)
37 William M. Hoge Jr.
William Hoge
 23 Oct 1953   2 1916 (USMA) 37 (1894–1979)
* Robert L. Eichelberger
Robert Eichelberger (2)
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1909 (USMA) 45 (1886–1961)[26] Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1940–1942.
* Lucian K. Truscott Jr.
Lt. Gen. Lucian K. Truscott Jr (cropped)
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1917 (direct) 37 (1895–1965)[26]
* Leonard T. Gerow
Gerow portrait
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1911 (VMI)[14] 43 (1888–1972)[26]
* William H. Simpson
GEN William Hood Simpson
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1909 (USMA) 45 (1888–1980)[26]
* Ben Lear Jr.
Ben Lear
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1901 (direct) 53 (1879–1966)[26]
* Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.
General Simon B. Buckner, Jr
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1908 (USMA) 46 (1886–1945)[26] Killed in action. Son of Kentucky Governor Simon Bolivar Buckner Sr.
* Alexander M. Patch
Alexander Patch portrait
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1913 (USMA) 41 (1889–1945)[26] Died in office.
* Lesley J. McNair
Lesley McNair
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1904 (USMA) 50 (1883–1944)[26] Killed in action.
* John L. DeWitt
John Lesene Dewitt copy
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1898 (direct) 56 (1880–1962)[26]
* Albert C. Wedemeyer
GEN Albert Coady Wedemeyer
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1918 (USMA) 36 (1897–1989)[26] Special Representative of the President in China and Korea, 1947. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1985.
* Robert C. Richardson Jr.
Robert C RichardsonJr
 19 Jul 1954  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1904 (USMA) 50 (1882–1954)[26]
38 John E. Dahlquist
John E Dahlquist
 18 Aug 1954   2 1917 (direct) 37 (1896–1975)
39 Anthony C. McAuliffe
GEN Anthony C. McAuliffe
 1 Mar 1955   1 1918 (USMA) 37 (1898–1975)
40 Lyman L. Lemnitzer
GEN Lyman L. Lemnitzer, portrait as SACEUR (cropped 2)
 25 Mar 1955   14 1920 (USMA) 35 (1899–1988)[28] Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1987.
41 Williston B. Palmer
Williston B. Palmer
 1 May 1955   7 1919 (USMA) 36 (1899–1973)[29] Brother of Army four-star general Charles D. Palmer.
42 Isaac D. White
Isaac D. White
 22 Jun 1955   6 1922 (Norwich) 33 (1901–1990)
43 Willard G. Wyman
Wyman Willard G (cropped)
 1 Mar 1956   2 1919 (USMA) 37 (1898–1969)
44 Cortlandt V. R. Schuyler
Cortlandt V R Schuyler
 18 May 1956   3 1922 (USMA) 34 (1900–1993) Commissioner, New York State Office of General Services, 1960–1971.
45 George H. Decker
General George Decker portrait, CSA (cropped)
 31 May 1956   6 1924 (ROTC) 32 (1902–1980)
46 Henry I. Hodes
Henry I. Hodes
 1 Jun 1956   3 1920 (USMA) 36 (1899–1962)
47 Bruce C. Clarke
General Bruce C. Clarke
 1 Aug 1958   4 1925 (USMA) 33 (1901–1988)
48 Clyde D. Eddleman
Clyde Davis Eddleman
 1 Apr 1959   3 1924 (USMA) 35 (1902–1992)
49 Carter B. Magruder
GEN Carter A. Magruder, USA
 1 Jul 1959   2 1923 (USMA) 36 (1900–1988)
50 Charles D. Palmer
GEN Charles D. Palmer, USA
 1 Oct 1959   3 1924 (USMA) 35 (1902–1999) Brother of Army four-star general Williston B. Palmer.
51 Clark L. Ruffner
Clark L Ruffner
 1 Mar 1960  
  • U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1960–1962.
 2 1924 (VMI) 36 (1903–1982)
52 James E. Moore
GEN James Edward Moore (retouched)
 21 Apr 1960   3 1924 (USMA) 36 (1902–1986) U.S. High Commissioner, Ryukyu Islands, 1955–1958.
53 Herbert B. Powell
Herbert B Powell
 1 Oct 1960   3 1926 (ROTC) 34 (1903–1998) U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, 1963–1967.
54 James F. Collins
James F Collins
 1 Apr 1961   3 1927 (USMA) 34 (1905–1989) President, American Red Cros, 1964–1970.
55 Guy S. Meloy Jr.
General Guy S. Meloy Jr
 1 Jul 1961   2 1927 (USMA) 34 (1903–1964)
56 Paul D. Adams
Paul D. Adams portrait
 3 Oct 1961  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Strike Command (USCINCSTRIKE), 1961–1963.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Strike Command/U.S. Commander in Chief, Middle East, Africa south of the Sahara, and South Asia (USCINCSTRIKE/USCINCMEAFSA), 1963–1966.
 5 1928 (USMA) 33 (1906–1987)
57 Paul D. Harkins
Gen. Paul D. Harkins
 2 Jan 1962   2 1929 (USMA) 33 (1904–1984)
58 Earle G. Wheeler
Earle Wheeler official photo
 1 Mar 1962   8 1932 (USMA) 30 (1908–1975) Widow married Army four-star general Frank S. Besson Jr.
59 Barksdale Hamlett
Barksdale Hamlett
 2 Apr 1962   2 1930 (USMA) 32 (1908–1979) President, Norwich University, 1966–1972.
60 Paul L. Freeman Jr.
GEN Paul L. Freeman Jr. (cropped)
 1 May 1962   5 1929 (USMA) 33 (1907–1988)
61 Robert J. Wood
Robert J. Wood
 1 Sep 1962  
  • Director of Military Assistance, 1962–1965.
 3 1930 (USMA) 32 (1905–1986)
62 John K. Waters
John K. Waters
 28 Feb 1963   3 1931 (USMA) 32 (1906–1989) Son-in-law of Army four-star general George S. Patton.
63 Andrew P. O'Meara
GEN O'Meara, Andrew Pick cropped
 6 Jun 1963   4 1930 (USMA) 33 (1907–2005)
64 Theodore W. Parker
General Theodore W. Parker (cropped)
 1 Jul 1963   6 1931 (USMA) 32 (1909–1994) Commissioner, New York State Department of Transportation, 1969–1972.
65 Hamilton H. Howze
Hamilton Howze
 1 Aug 1963   2 1930 (USMA) 33 (1908–1998)
66 Hugh P. Harris
GEN Hugh P. Harris (cropped)
 1 Mar 1964   1 1931 (USMA) 33 (1909–1979) President, The Citadel, 1965–1970.
67 Frank S. Besson Jr.
GEN Frank S. Besson Jr. final command portrait (cropped)
 27 May 1964   6 1932 (USMA) 32 (1910–1985)[30] Incorporator, National Rail Passenger Corporation, 1970–1971; Member, Board of Directors, AMTRAK, 1971–1974. Married widow of Army four-star general Earle G. Wheeler.
68 Harold K. Johnson
HaroldJohnson
 3 Jul 1964   4 1933 (USMA) 31 (1912–1983)
69 William C. Westmoreland
Gen William C Westmoreland
 1 Aug 1964   8 1936 (USMA) 28 (1914–2005) Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1960–1963; candidate for Republican Party nomination for Governor of South Carolina, 1974.
70 Creighton W. Abrams Jr.
GEN Creighton W Abrams
 4 Sep 1964   10 1936 (USMA) 28 (1914–1974) Died in office. Father of Army four-star generals John N. Abrams and Robert B. Abrams.
71 Robert W. Porter Jr.
Robert W. Porter, Jr. portrait
 18 Mar 1965   4 1930 (USMA) 35 (1908–2000)
72 Dwight E. Beach
Dwight E Beach
 1 Jul 1965   3 1932 (USMA) 33 (1908–2000)
73 Charles H. Bonesteel III
GEN Bonesteel, Charles H III
 1 Sep 1966   3 1931 (USMA) 35 (1909–1977)
74 Theodore J. Conway
Gen. Theodore J. Conway (cropped)
 1 Nov 1966  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Strike Command/U.S. Commander in Chief, Middle East, Africa south of the Sahara, and South Asia (USCINCSTRIKE/USCINCMEAFSA), 1966–1969.
 3 1933 (USMA) 33 (1909–1990)
75 James H. Polk
Gen James Hilliard Polk
 31 May 1967   4 1933 (USMA) 34 (1911–1992) Distant cousin of U.S. President James K. Polk.
76 Ralph E. Haines Jr.
Ralph Edward Haines Jr USARPAC
 1 Jun 1967   6 1935 (USMA) 32 (1913–2011)
77 James K. Woolnough
General James K. Woolnough
 1 Jul 1967   3 1932 (USMA) 35 (1910–1996)
78 Andrew J. Goodpaster
Andrew Goodpaster portrait
 3 Jul 1968   6 1939 (USMA) 29 (1915–2005)[31] Staff Secretary/Defense Liaison Officer to the President, 1954–1961; Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1977–1981; President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 1983–1985; Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 1985–1990. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1961 and 1984.
79 Ben Harrell
GEN Ben Harrell
 4 Jul 1968   3 1933 (USMA) 35 (1911–1981)
80 Berton E. Spivy Jr.
Lt Gen Berton E. Spivy
 31 Jul 1968  
  • U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1968–1971.
 3 1934 (USMA) 34 (1911–1997)
81 Bruce Palmer Jr.
GEN Bruce Palmer Jr
 1 Aug 1968   6 1936 (USMA) 32 (1913–2000)
82 George R. Mather
Gen George R Mather
 1 Mar 1969   2 1932 (USMA) 37 (1911–1993)
83 Ferdinand J. Chesarek
Ferdinand J. Chesarek portrait
 10 Mar 1969   1 1938 (USMA) 31 (1914–1993)
84 William B. Rosson
William B Rosson
 15 May 1969   6 1940 (ROTC) 29 (1918–2004)
85 John L. Throckmorton
GEN John L. Throckmorton
 1 Aug 1969  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Strike Command/U.S. Commander in Chief, Middle East, Africa south of the Sahara, and South Asia (USCINCSTRIKE/USCINCMEAFSA), 1969–1972.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED), 1972–1973.
 4 1935 (USMA) 34 (1913–1986)
86 John H. Michaelis
GEN John H. Michaelis (cropped)
 1 Oct 1969   3 1936 (USMA) 33 (1912–1985)
87 Lewis B. Hershey
L. B. Hershey 111-P-200365
 23 Dec 1969  
  • Presidential Advisor on Manpower Mobilization, 1970–1973.
 4 1913 (ARNG) 56 (1893–1977)[32] Director, Selective Service System, 1941–1970.
88 Frederick C. Weyand
Frederick Carlton Weyand
 31 Oct 1970   6 1938 (ROTC) 32 (1916–2010)
89 Henry A. Miley Jr.
Henry A Miley
 1 Nov 1970   5 1940 (USMA) 30 (1915–2010)
90 Frank T. Mildren
Frank Thomas Mildren
 1 Apr 1971   2 1939 (USMA) 32 (1913–1990)
91 Michael S. Davison
GEN Davison Michael S
 26 May 1971   4 1939 (USMA) 32 (1917–2006) Aunt married Navy four-star admiral Arthur W. Radford.
92 George V. Underwood Jr.
GEN Underwood, George V Jr
 1 Oct 1971   2 1937 (USMA) 34 (1913–1984)
93 Donald V. Bennett
Donald Vivian Bennett
 1 Sep 1972   2 1940 (USMA) 32 (1915–2005) Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1966–1969; Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, 1969–1972.
94 Alexander M. Haig Jr.
General Alexander M. Haig, Jr
 4 Jan 1973[33] 5 1947 (USMA) 26 (1924–2010)[35] Deputy National Security Advisor, 1970–1973; U.S. Secretary of State, 1981–1982; candidate for Republican Party nomination for U.S. President, 1988.
95 Walter T. Kerwin Jr.
WalterKerwin
 1 Feb 1973   5 1939 (USMA) 34 (1917–2008) Married widow of Marine Corps four-star general Keith B. McCutcheon.
96 William E. DePuy
GEN William E. DePuy, colour portrait (cropped)
 1 Jul 1973   4 1941 (ROTC) 32 (1919–1992)
97 Richard G. Stilwell
Richard G Stilwell
 31 Jul 1973   3 1938 (USMA) 35 (1917–1991) U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, 1981–1985.
98 Melvin Zais
Melvin Zais
 1 Aug 1973   3 1937 (ROTC) 36 (1916–1981)
99 Bernard W. Rogers
GEN Bernard W. Rogers, SACEUR
 7 Nov 1974   13 1943 (USMA) 31 (1921–2008)
100 John J. Hennessey
GEN John J. Hennessey
 8 Nov 1974   5 1944 (USMA) 30 (1921–2001)
101 John R. Deane Jr.
John R Deane
 12 Feb 1975   2 1942 (USMA) 33 (1919–2013)
102 George S. Blanchard
GEN George S. Blanchard (cropped)
 1 Jul 1975   4 1944 (USMA) 31 (1920–2006)
103 William A. Knowlton
William A Knowlton
 1 Jun 1976   4 1943 (USMA) 33 (1920–2008) Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1970–1974. Father-in-law of Army four-star general David H. Petraeus.
104 Frederick J. Kroesen Jr.
Frederick Kroesen VCSA
 1 Oct 1976   7 1943 (OCS) 33 (1923–2020)
105 John W. Vessey Jr.
Gen John Vessey Jr
 1 Nov 1976   9 1944 (battlefield) 32 (1922–2016) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1992.
106 Sam S. Walker
Gen. Sam Sims Walker
 1977   1 1946 (USMA) 31 (1925–2015) Superintendent, Virginia Military Institute, 1981–1988. Son of Army four-star general Walton H. Walker.
107 John R. Guthrie
John Reiley Guthrie
 1 May 1977   4 1942 (ROTC) 35 (1921–2009)
108 Donn A. Starry
GEN Donn A. Starry
 1 Jul 1977   6 1948 (USMA) 29 (1925–2011)
109 Robert M. Shoemaker
RobertShoemaker2
 22 Aug 1978   4 1946 (USMA) 32 (1924–2017)
110 Edward C. Meyer
GEN Meyer, Edward C USA
 22 Jun 1979   4 1951 (USMA) 28 (1928–2021)
111 John A. Wickham Jr.
GEN John A. Wickham, USA
 10 Jul 1979   8 1950 (USMA) 29 (1928–       )
112 Volney F. Warner
GEN Warner, Volney F
 1 Aug 1979   2 1950 (USMA) 29 (1926–2019)
113 Glenn K. Otis
GlennKOtis
 1 Aug 1981   7 1953 (USMA) 28 (1929–2013)
114 Donald R. Keith
Donald R Keith
 1 Sep 1981   3 1949 (USMA) 32 (1927–2004)
115 Richard E. Cavazos
GEN CAVAZOS
 19 Feb 1982   2 1951 (ROTC) 31 (1929–2017) Brother of U.S. Secretary of Education Lauro Cavazos. First Hispanic to achieve the rank of general in the Army.
116 Robert W. Sennewald
R. W. Sennewald 111-PP-92-L-202473
 24 May 1982   4 1951 (ROTC) 31 (1929–2023)
117 Roscoe Robinson Jr.
Roscoe Robinson2
 30 Aug 1982  
  • U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1982–1985.
 3 1951 (USMA) 31 (1928–1993) First African-American to achieve the rank of general in the Army.
118 William R. Richardson
Official Military Portrait of General William R. Richardson 1984
 28 Feb 1983   3 1951 (USMA) 32 (1929–       )
119 Paul F. Gorman
GEN Gorman, Paul Francis cropped
 25 May 1983   2 1950 (USMA) 33 (1927–       )
120 Wallace H. Nutting
Wallace H. Nutting, official military photo portrait, 1983
 25 May 1983   2 1950 (USMA) 33 (1928–2023)
121 Maxwell R. Thurman
Maxwell R Thurman
 23 Jun 1983   7 1953 (ROTC) 30 (1931–1995)
122 William J. Livsey
William J Livsey
 3 May 1984   3 1952 (ROTC) 32 (1931–2016)
123 Richard H. Thompson
Richard H Thompson
 29 Jun 1984   3 1950 (direct) 34 (1926–2016)
124 Robert C. Kingston
General Robert Kingston, official military photo, 1984
 6 Nov 1984   1 1949 (OCS) 35 (1928–2007)
125 John R. Galvin
John Galvin, official military photo, 1991
 25 Feb 1985   7 1954 (USMA) 31 (1929–2015) U.S. Special Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1994.
126 Fred K. Mahaffey
General Fred K. Mahaffey
 17 Jun 1985   1 1955 (ROTC) 30 (1934–1986) Died in office.
127 Jack N. Merritt
Jack N. Merritt, official military photo portrait, 1985
 1 Dec 1985  
  • U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1985–1987.
 2 1953 (OCS) 32 (1930–2018)
128 Carl E. Vuono
Portrait of U.S. Army Gen. Carl E. Vuono, CHIEF of STAFF, U.S. Army (Uncovered) (Official U.S. Army photograph) (Released) (PC-191796)
 1 Jul 1986   5 1957 (USMA) 29 (1934–       )
129 Joseph T. Palastra Jr.
Joseph Thomas Palastra JR
 1 Jul 1986   3 1954 (USMA) 32 (1931–2015)
130 James J. Lindsay
GEN James Lindsay 1986
 10 Oct 1986   4 1953 (OCS) 33 (1932–2023)
131 Louis C. Wagner Jr.
Louis Carson Wagner
 13 Apr 1987   2 1954 (USMA) 33 (1932–       )
132 Frederick F. Woerner Jr.
Frederick Woerner
 6 Jun 1987   2 1955 (USMA) 32 (1933–2023) Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 1994–2001. Relieved, 1989.
133 Arthur E. Brown Jr.
Arthur E Brown
 24 Jun 1987   2 1953 (USMA) 34 (1929–       )
134 Louis C. Menetrey
Louis C. Menetrey (US Army general)
 24 Jun 1987   3 1953 (ROTC) 34 (1929–2009)
135 Crosbie E. Saint
General Crosbie E Saint
 24 Jun 1988   4 1958 (USMA) 30 (1936–2018)
136 H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.
NormanSchwarzkopf
 23 Nov 1988   3 1956 (USMA) 32 (1934–2012)[36] Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1991; Congressional Gold Medal, 1991.
137 Robert W. RisCassi
Robert RisCassi 4 Star Photo
 17 Jan 1989   4 1958 (ROTC) 31 (1936–       )
138 Colin L. Powell
GEN Colin Powell
 4 Apr 1989   4 1958 (ROTC) 31 (1937–2021) Deputy National Security Advisor, 1987; National Security Advisor, 1987–1989; U.S. Secretary of State, 2001–2005. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1991; Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1991 and, with distinction, 1993.
139 John W. Foss
John W Foss
 2 Aug 1989   2 1956 (USMA) 33 (1933–2020)
140 Edwin H. Burba Jr.
Edwin Burba
 27 Sep 1989   4 1959 (USMA) 30 (1936–       )
141 William G. T. Tuttle Jr.
William G T Tuttle
 1 Oct 1989   3 1958 (USMA) 31 (1935–2020)
142 Gordon R. Sullivan
General Gordon Sullivan, official military photo 1992
 4 Jun 1990   5 1959 (Norwich) 31 (1937–       )
143 Carl W. Stiner
Carl W Stiner
 1 Jul 1990   3 1958 (ROTC) 32 (1936–2022)
144 George A. Joulwan
George A. Joulwan, 1997
 21 Nov 1990   7 1961 (USMA) 29 (1939–       )
145 Dennis J. Reimer
Reimer chief of staff
 21 Jun 1991   8 1962 (USMA) 29 (1939–       )
146 Frederick M. Franks Jr.
Frederick m franks
 23 Aug 1991   3 1959 (USMA) 32 (1936–       ) Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 2005–2009.
147 Jimmy D. Ross
JimmyRoss
 1 Feb 1992   2 1958 (ROTC) 34 (1936–2012)
148 John M. Shalikashvili
General John Shalikashvili military portrait, 1993
 24 Jun 1992   5 1959 (OCS) 33 (1936–2011) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1997.
149 David M. Maddox
David M Maddox
 9 Jul 1992   2 1960 (VMI) 32 (1938–       )[37]
150 J. H. Binford Peay III
BinfordPeay
 26 Mar 1993   4 1962 (VMI) 31 (1940–       ) Superintendent, Virginia Military Institute, 2003–2020.
151 Wayne A. Downing
Wayne Downing
 20 May 1993   3 1962 (USMA) 31 (1940–2007) Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism, 2001–2002.
152 Gary E. Luck
General Gary Edward Luck
 1 Jul 1993   3 1960 (ROTC) 33 (1937–       )
153 Leon E. Salomon
Leon E Salomon
 11 Feb 1994   2 1959 (OCS) 35 (1936–       )
154 Barry R. McCaffrey
Barry McCaffrey
 17 Feb 1994   2 1964 (USMA) 30 (1942–       ) Director, National Drug Control Policy, 1996–2001.
155 John H. Tilelli Jr.
John H. Tilelli (USFK)
 19 Jul 1994   5 1963 ()[38] 31 (1941–       )
156 William W. Hartzog
William Hartzog
 1 Dec 1994   4 1963 (Citadel) 31 (1941–2020)
157 William W. Crouch
William W Crouch
 1 Jan 1995   3 1963 (ROTC) 32 (1941–       )
158 Ronald H. Griffith
Ronald H Grffith
 6 Jun 1995   2 1960 (ROTC) 35 (1936–2018)
159 H. Hugh Shelton
General Henry Shelton, official portrait 2
 1 Mar 1996   5 1964 (ROTC) 32 (1942–       ) Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 2002.
160 Johnnie E. Wilson
Johnnie E. Wilson
 1 May 1996   3 1967 (OCS) 29 (1944–       )
161 Wesley K. Clark
General Wesley Clark official photograph, edited
 21 Jun 1996   4 1966 (USMA) 30 (1944–       ) Candidate for Democratic Party nomination for U.S. President, 2004. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2000.
162 David A. Bramlett
DavidBramlett
 1 Sep 1996   2 1964 (USMA) 32 (1941–       )
163 Eric K. Shinseki
EricShinseki
 5 Aug 1997   6 1965 (USMA) 32 (1942–       ) U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 2009–2014.[39] First Asian-American to achieve the rank of general in the Army.
164 Peter J. Schoomaker
Peter Schoomaker
 4 Oct 1997   7 1969 (ROTC) 28 (1946–       )[40] Brother of Army lieutenant general Eric Schoomaker.
165 Thomas A. Schwartz
General Thomas A. Schwartz (1998)
 31 Aug 1998   4 1967 (USMA) 31 (1945–       )
166 John N. Abrams
John Abrams (cropped)
 14 Sep 1998   4 1968 (OCS) 30 (1946–2018) Son of Army four-star general Creighton Abrams; brother of Army four-star general Robert B. Abrams.
167 Montgomery C. Meigs
Montgomery Meigs
 10 Nov 1998   4 1967 (USMA) 31 (1945–2021) Director, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, 2005–2007. Distant cousin of Navy four-star admiral Montgomery M. Taylor and great-great-great grandnephew of Montgomery C. Meigs.
168 John M. Keane
Jack Keane
 22 Jan 1999   4 1966 (ROTC) 33 (1943–       ) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2020.
169 John G. Coburn
John G Coburn
 14 May 1999   2 1963 (ROTC) 36 (1941–       )
170 John W. Hendrix
GEN HENDRIX
 23 Nov 1999   2 1965 (ROTC) 34 (1942–       )
171 William F. Kernan
William F Kernan
 Jul 2000   2 1968 (OCS) 32 (1946–       )
172 Tommy R. Franks
Gen. Tommy Franks CENTCOM
 6 Jul 2000   3 1967 (OCS) 33 (1945–       ) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2004.
173 Paul J. Kern
PaulKern
 30 Oct 2001   3 1967 (USMA) 34 (1945–       )
174 Larry R. Ellis
Larry R Ellis
 19 Nov 2001   3 1969 (ROTC) 32 (1946–       )
175 Leon J. LaPorte
Gen. Leon J. LaPorte (USFK)
 1 May 2002   4 1968 (ROTC) 34 (1946–       )
176 James T. Hill
James T Hill
 18 Aug 2002   2 1968 (ROTC) 34 (1946–       )
177 Kevin P. Byrnes
KevinByrnes
 7 Nov 2002   3 1969 (OCS) 33 (1950–       )[41] Relieved, 2005.
178 Burwell B. Bell III
Bell Final Mil Pic
 3 Dec 2002   6 1969 (ROTC) 33 (1947–       )
179 John P. Abizaid
Gen. John P. Abizaid CENTCOM
 27 Jun 2003   4 1973 (USMA) 30 (1951–       ) U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 2019–2021.
180 Bryan D. Brown
GEN Bryan Brown official portrait
 25 Aug 2003   4 1970 (OCS) 33 (1948–       )
181 George W. Casey Jr.
George W. Casey 2007
 1 Dec 2003   8 1970 (ROTC) 33 (1948–       )
182 Richard A. Cody
Richard A Cody
 24 Jun 2004   4 1972 (USMA) 32 (1950–       )
183 Dan K. McNeill
Dan K. McNeill
 1 Jul 2004   4 1968 (ROTC) 36 (1946–       )
184 Benjamin S. Griffin
Benjamin Griffin
 5 Nov 2004   4 1970 (OCS) 34 (1946–       )
185 Bantz J. Craddock
Bantz J. Craddock EUCOM
 1 Jan 2005   4 1971 (ROTC) 33 (1949–       )
186 William S. Wallace
William S. Wallace
 13 Oct 2005   3 1969 (USMA) 36 (1946–       )
187 David D. McKiernan
David D. McKiernan
 14 Dec 2005   4 1972 (ROTC) 33 (1950–       ) Resigned, 2009.
188 William E. Ward
General Kip Ward November 2009
 3 May 2006   5 1971 (ROTC) 35 (1949–       )[42] U.S. Security Coordinator, Israel-Palestinian Authority, 2005.
189 Charles C. Campbell
Charles C Campbell
 9 Jan 2007   3 1970 (ROTC) 37 (1948–2016)
190 David H. Petraeus
GEN David H Petraeus - Uniform Class A
 10 Feb 2007   4 1974 (USMA) 33 (1952–       ) Director, Central Intelligence Agency, 2011–2012. Son-in-law of Army four-star general William A. Knowlton.
191 Walter L. Sharp
Walter L Sharp Official Portrait
 2 Jun 2008   3 1974 (USMA) 34 (1952–       )
192 Peter W. Chiarelli
GEN Peter W Chiarelli
 4 Aug 2008   4 1972 (ROTC) 36 (1950–       )
193 Carter F. Ham
GEN Carter F.Ham 2011
 28 Aug 2008   5 1976 (ROTC) 32 (1952–       )
194 Raymond T. Odierno
Odierno Raymond CSA ASU
 16 Sep 2008   7 1976 (USMA) 32 (1954–2021)[43]
195 Ann E. Dunwoody
Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody
 14 Nov 2008   4 1975 (direct) 33 (1953–       ) First woman to achieve four-star rank in any service.
196 Martin E. Dempsey
General Martin E. Dempsey, CJCS, official portrait 2012
 8 Dec 2008   7 1974 (USMA) 34 (1952–       )
197 Stanley A. McChrystal
Gen. Stanley McChrystal USFOR-Y
 15 Jun 2009   1 1976 (USMA) 33 (1954–       ) Resigned, 2010.
198 Keith B. Alexander
General Keith B. Alexander in service uniform
 21 May 2010   4 1974 (USMA) 36 (1952–       ) Director, National Security Agency, 2005–2014.
199 James D. Thurman
Cmd genthurmand official
 3 Jun 2010   3 1975 (ROTC) 35 (1953–       )
200 Lloyd J. Austin III
Austin 2013 2
 1 Sep 2010   6 1975 (USMA) 35 (1953–       ) U.S. Secretary of Defense, 2021–present.
201 Robert W. Cone
General Robert W. Cone
 29 Apr 2011   3 1979 (USMA) 32 (1957–2016)
202 Charles H. Jacoby Jr.
General Charles H. Jacoby Jr
 3 Aug 2011   3 1978 (USMA) 33 (1954–       ) Chair, Modern War Institute, 2015–2019.
203 David M. Rodriguez
General David M Rodriguez USAFRICOM
 12 Sep 2011   5 1976 (USMA) 35 (1954–       )[44]
204 Dennis L. Via
General Dennis L. Via, USA
 7 Aug 2012   4 1980 (ROTC) 32 (1958–       )
205 Frank J. Grass
General Frank J. Grass JCS
 7 Sep 2012   4 1981 (OCS) 31 (1951–       ) Served 12 years in the enlisted ranks before receiving his commission in 1981. First Army National Guard officer to achieve the rank of general.
206 John F. Campbell
Campbell 2013 2
 8 Mar 2013   3 1979 (USMA) 34 (1957–       )[45]
207 Daniel B. Allyn
Gen. Allyn 2014 2
 10 May 2013   4 1981 (USMA) 32 (1959–       )
208 Vincent K. Brooks
Brooks 2016
 2 Jul 2013   5 1980 (USMA) 33 (1958–       )
209 Curtis M. Scaparrotti
Scaparrotti EUCOM
 2 Oct 2013   6 1978 (USMA) 35 (1956–       )
210 David G. Perkins
General David G. Perkins in ASUs (TRADOC)
 14 Mar 2014   4 1980 (USMA) 34 (1957–       )
211 Mark A. Milley
GEN Mark A. Milley portrait
 15 Aug 2014   9 1980 (ROTC) 34 (1958–       )
212 Joseph L. Votel
General Joseph L. Votel (USCENTCOM)
 28 Aug 2014   5 1980 (USMA) 34 (1958–       )
213 Robert B. Abrams
Gen. Robert B. Abrams
 10 Aug 2015   6 1982 (USMA) 33 (1960–       ) Son of Army four-star general Creighton Abrams; brother of Army four-star general John N. Abrams.
214 John W. Nicholson Jr.
General John W. Nicholson, Jr. (cropped)
 2 Mar 2016   2 1982 (USMA) 34 (1957–       ) Nephew of U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert J. Nicholson.
215 Raymond A. Thomas III
General Raymond A. Thomas III (USSOCOM)
 30 Mar 2016   3 1980 (USMA) 36 (1958–       )
216 Robert B. Brown
Robert Brooks Brown Sep 2019
 30 Apr 2016   3 1981 (USMA) 35 (1959–       )
217 Gustave F. Perna
Perna CG AMC 2016
 30 Sep 2016  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 2016–2020.
  • Chief Operating Officer, Operation Warp Speed (COO OWS), 2020–2021.
  • Chief Operating Officer, COVID-19 Response for Vaccine and Therapeutics (COO COVID-19 Response), 2021.
 5 1981 (VFMAC) 35 (1960–       )
218 James C. McConville
GEN James C. McConville (4)
 16 Jun 2017   6 1981 (USMA) 36 (1959–       )
219 Stephen J. Townsend
Townsend Africom
 2 Mar 2018   4 1982 (NGCSU) 36 (1959–       )
220 Paul M. Nakasone
General Paul M. Nakasone (NSA)
 4 May 2018   5 1986 (ROTC) 32 (1963–       )
221 Stephen R. Lyons
Gen. Stephen R. Lyons
 24 Aug 2018   3 1983 (ROTC) 35 (c. 1962–       )
222 John M. Murray
Gen. John M. Murray
 24 Aug 2018   3 1982 (ROTC) 36 (c. 1960–       )
223 Austin S. Miller
General Austin S. Miller
 2 Sep 2018   3 1983 (USMA) 35 (1961–       )
224 Michael X. Garrett
Gen. Michael X. Garrett (2)
 21 Mar 2019   3 1984 (ROTC) 35 (1961–       ) Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 2023–present.
225 Richard D. Clarke Jr.
Gen. Richard D. Clarke, Jr. (2)
 29 Mar 2019   3 1984 (USMA) 35 (1962–       )
226 Paul E. Funk II
Funk II TRADOC
 21 Jun 2019   3 1984 (ROTC) 35 (1962–       ) Son and son-in-law of Army lieutenant generals Paul E. Funk and John J. Yeosock.
227 Joseph M. Martin
Gen Joseph M Martin 37th VCSA (1)
 26 Jul 2019   3 1986 (USMA) 33 (1962–       )
228 Paul J. LaCamera
GEN Paul J. LaCamera USFK
 18 Nov 2019   4 1985 (USMA) 34 (1963–       )[46]
229 Edward M. Daly
GEN Daly2
 2 Jul 2020   3 1987 (USMA) 33 (1965–       )
230 Daniel R. Hokanson
GEN Daniel R. Hokanson
 3 Aug 2020   3 1986 (USMA) 34 (1963–       )
231 James H. Dickinson
Gen James H. Dickinson (2)
 20 Aug 2020   3 1985 (ROTC) 35 (c. 1962–       )
232 Christopher G. Cavoli
Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli (3)
 1 Oct 2020   3 1987 (ROTC) 33 (c. 1965–       )
233 Charles A. Flynn
Gen. Charles A. Flynn (2)
 4 Jun 2021   2 1985 (ROTC) 36 (c. 1963–       ) Brother of former National Security Advisor, Michael T. Flynn.
234 Laura J. Richardson
GEN Laura J. Richardson
 29 Oct 2021[47] 2 1986 (ROTC) 35 (1963–       ) First female U.S. Army officer to lead a combatant command.
235 Michael E. Kurilla
Michael E. Kurilla (4)
 1 Apr 2022   1 1988 (USMA) 34 (1966–       )
236 Darryl A. Williams
Gen. Darryl A. Williams (2)
 27 Jun 2022   1 1983 (USMA) 39 (1961–       ) Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 2018–2022.
237 Andrew P. Poppas
GEN Andrew P. Poppas (2)
 8 Jul 2022   1 1988 (USMA) 34 (c. 1966–       )
238 Randy A. George
GEN Randy A. George (2)
 5 Aug 2022   1 1988 (USMA) 34 (1964–       )
239 Bryan P. Fenton
GEN Bryan P. Fenton (2)
 30 Aug 2022   1 1987 (ROTC) 35 (1965–       )
240 Gary M. Brito
GEN Gary M. Brito (2)
 8 Sep 2022   1 1987 (ROTC) 35 (1964–       )
241 James E. Rainey
GEN James E. Rainey
 4 Oct 2022   1 1987 (ROTC) 35 (c. 1964–       )
242 Charles R. Hamilton
GEN Charles R. Hamilton (cropped)
 16 Mar 2023   0 1988 (OCS) 35 (c. 1967–       )

History[]

Four-star positions[]

Unified combatant commandUnified combatant commandUnified combatant commandJoint Chiefs of StaffIraq WarWar in Afghanistan (2001–2021)Gulf WarVietnam WarKorean WarCold WarWorld War IIWorld War ISpanish–American WarAmerican Civil War
United States Army Air ForcesStructure of the United States ArmyStructure of the United States ArmyStructure of the United States ArmyUnited States Intelligence Communitycombined operationsNational Guard (United States)

1775–1799[]

In 1775, George Washington was appointed "General and Commander in Chief of the United Colonies" and all its forces. Although Washington ranked as a full general in the Continental Army, he resigned his commission prior to the establishment of the U.S. Army in 1784 and he is therefore considered never to have held the U.S. Army rank of general.[48] In 1798, Washington was commissioned lieutenant general in the U.S. Army and appointed Commander in Chief of the armies of the United States. The following year, Congress created the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, but Washington died before accepting it and the rank lapsed until 1866.[49] Washington was finally promoted to General of the Armies in 1976.

George WashingtonMexican–American WarWar of 1812American Revolution

1866–1941[]

Flag of General of the Armies (Culver flag, 1922)

The rank flag of General of the Armies John J. Pershing, presented to him in 1922.

The grade of General of the Armies of the United States was revived in 1866, under the name "General of the Army of the United States" to honor the Civil War achievements of Ulysses S. Grant, the commanding general of the U.S. Army (CGUSA).[50] When Grant resigned his commission to become President in 1869, William T. Sherman was promoted to fill the vacant grade. Congress specified in 1870 that the rank would expire upon Sherman's retirement, but made an exception in 1888 to promote an ailing Philip H. Sheridan. This title is not to be confused with the later five-star rank of General of the Army.[51]

In 1917, the rank of general was recreated in the National Army, a temporary force of conscripts and volunteers authorized for the duration of the World War I emergency. To give American commanders parity of rank with their Allied counterparts, Congress allowed the President to appoint two emergency generals in the National Army, specified to be the chief of staff of the Army (CSA), Tasker H. Bliss and later Peyton C. March; and the commander of United States forces in France, John J. Pershing.[52] When March replaced Bliss as chief of staff, Bliss was continued in four-star rank by brevet as the U.S. military representative to the Supreme War Council.[53] In contrast to the previous grade of general held by Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan, which was a permanent promotion, this new rank was a temporary appointment that was lost when the officer vacated the position bearing that rank, and while Pershing was ultimately advanced to General of the Armies in 1919, March and Bliss reverted to their permanent grades of major general in the Regular Army when the National Army disbanded in 1920.[54]

In 1929, the temporary rank of general in the Regular Army was reauthorized for the office of chief of staff, whose occupant reverted to major general at the end of his term but was allowed to retire as a full general. When the draft force was reconstituted for World War II as the Army of the United States in 1941, the President was authorized to appoint as many temporary generals in that organization as he deemed necessary. As with the National Army emergency generals, these appointments expired after the end of the war, although postwar legislation allowed officers to retire in their highest active-duty rank.[55]

George C. Marshall Jr.Malin CraigDouglas MacArthurCharles P. SummerallPeyton C. MarchJohn J. PershingTasker H. BlissPhilip H. SheridanWilliam T. ShermanUlysses S. GrantWorld War IIWorld War ISpanish–American WarAmerican Civil War

1941–1991[]

Dunwoody GenAnn 4stars 081114-N-2855B-170

Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody is promoted to general by Chief of Staff of the Army General George W. Casey (left) and her husband Craig Brotchie on November 14, 2008.

The modern rank of general was established by the Officer Personnel Act of 1947, which authorized the President to designate certain positions of importance to carry that rank. Officers appointed to such positions bear temporary four-star rank while so serving, and are allowed to retire at that rank if their performance is judged satisfactory.[56] The total number of active-duty four-star generals in the Army is limited to a fixed percentage of the number of Army general officers serving at all ranks.[57]

Within the Army, the chief of staff (CSA) and vice chief of staff (VCSA) are four-star generals by statute. Since World War II, the commanders of the Army formations in Europe (USAREUR) and East Asia (FECOM/USFK) have been designated four-star generals by reason of importance. Other designated four-star Army commands have included the various training, readiness, and materiel organizations.

The Army also competes with the other services for a number of joint four-star positions, the most prestigious of which are the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the NATO supreme allied commander in Europe (SACEUR).[58] Other joint four-star positions have included unified combatant commanders; certain NATO staff positions; and the wartime theater commanders in Vietnam (MACV), Iraq (MNF-I), and Afghanistan (ISAF/RS).

George A. JoulwanCarl W. StinerGordon R. SullivanWilliam G. T. Tuttle Jr.Edwin H. Burba Jr.John W. FossColin L. PowellRobert W. RisCassiH. Norman SchwarzkopfCrosbie E. SaintArthur E. Brown Jr.Louis C. MenetreyFrederick F. Woerner Jr.Louis C. Wagner Jr.James J. LindsayJoseph T. Palastra Jr.Carl E. VuonoJack N. MerrittFred K. MahaffeyJohn Galvin (soldier)Robert C. KingstonRichard H. ThompsonWilliam J. LivseyMaxwell R. ThurmanWallace H. NuttingPaul F. GormanWilliam R. Richardson (general)Roscoe Robinson Jr.Robert W. SennewaldRichard E. CavazosGlenn K. OtisDonald R. KeithVolney F. WarnerJohn A. Wickham Jr.Edward C. MeyerRobert M. ShoemakerDonn A. StarryJohn R. GuthrieSam S. WalkerJohn W. Vessey Jr.Frederick J. Kroesen Jr.William A. KnowltonGeorge S. BlanchardJohn R. Deane Jr.John J. HennesseyBernard W. RogersMelvin ZaisRichard G. StilwellWilliam E. DePuyWalter T. Kerwin Jr.Alexander M. Haig Jr.Donald V. BennettGeorge V. Underwood Jr.Michael S. DavisonFrank T. MildrenHenry A. Miley Jr.Frederick C. WeyandLewis B. HersheyJohn H. MichaelisJohn L. ThrockmortonWilliam B. RossonFerdinand J. ChesarekGeorge R. MatherBruce Palmer Jr.Berton E. Spivy Jr.Ben HarrellAndrew J. GoodpasterJames K. WoolnoughRalph E. Haines Jr.James H. PolkTheodore J. ConwayCharles H. Bonesteel IIIDwight E. BeachRobert W. Porter Jr.Creighton W. Abrams Jr.William C. WestmorelandHarold K. JohnsonFrank S. Besson Jr.Hugh P. HarrisHamilton H. HowzeTheodore W. ParkerAndrew P. O'MearaJohn K. WatersRobert J. WoodPaul L. Freeman Jr.Barksdale HamlettEarle G. WheelerPaul D. HarkinsPaul D. AdamsGuy S. Meloy Jr.James F. CollinsHerbert B. PowellJames E. MooreClark L. RuffnerCharles D. PalmerCarter B. MagruderClyde D. EddlemanBruce C. ClarkeHenry I. HodesGeorge H. DeckerCortlandt V.R. SchuylerWillard G. WymanIsaac D. WhiteWilliston B. PalmerLyman L. LemnitzerAnthony C. McAuliffeJohn E. DahlquistWilliam M. Hoge Jr.Charles L. BolteMaxwell D. TaylorJohn R. HodgeAlfred M. GruentherJames Van FleetJohn E. HullWalter Bedell SmithMatthew B. RidgwayWade H. HaislipJ. Lawton CollinsLucius D. ClayJonathan M. Wainwright IVCourtney H. HodgesGeorge S. Patton Jr.Thomas T. HandyOmar N. BradleyCarl A. SpaatzMark W. ClarkGeorge C. KenneyJacob L. DeversJoseph T. McNarneyBrehon B. SomervellWalter KruegerJoseph W. StilwellHenry H. ArnoldDwight D. EisenhowerGeorge C. Marshall Jr.Malin CraigDouglas MacArthurGulf WarVietnam WarKorean WarCold WarWorld War II

1991–present[]

Charles R. HamiltonJames RaineyGary BritoBryan P. FentonRandy GeorgeAndrew P. PoppasDarryl A. WilliamsMichael E. KurillaLaura J. RichardsonCharles A. FlynnChristopher G. CavoliJames H. DickinsonDaniel R. HokansonEdward M. DalyPaul LaCameraJoseph M. MartinPaul E. Funk IIRichard D. ClarkeMichael X. GarrettAustin S. MillerJohn M. MurrayStephen R. LyonsPaul M. NakasoneStephen J. TownsendJames C. McConvilleGustave F. PernaRobert Brooks BrownRaymond A. ThomasJohn W. Nicholson Jr.Robert B. AbramsJoseph VotelMark A. MilleyDavid G. PerkinsCurtis ScaparrottiVincent K. BrooksDaniel B. AllynJohn F. Campbell (general)Frank J. GrassDennis L. ViaDavid M. RodriguezCharles H. Jacoby Jr.Robert W. ConeLloyd AustinJames D. ThurmanKeith B. AlexanderStanley A. McChrystalMartin DempseyAnn E. DunwoodyRaymond T. OdiernoCarter HamPeter W. ChiarelliWalter L. SharpDavid H. PetraeusCharles C. Campbell (general)William E. WardDavid D. McKiernanWilliam S. WallaceBantz J. CraddockBenjamin S. GriffinDan K. McNeillRichard A. CodyGeorge W. Casey Jr.Bryan D. BrownJohn AbizaidBurwell B. Bell IIIKevin P. ByrnesJames T. HillLeon J. LaPorteLarry R. EllisPaul J. KernTommy R. FranksWilliam F. KernanJohn W. HendrixJohn G. CoburnJohn M. KeaneMontgomery Meigs (born 1945)John N. AbramsThomas A. SchwartzPeter J. SchoomakerEric K. ShinsekiDavid A. BramlettWesley K. ClarkJohnnie E. WilsonHenry H. SheltonRonald H. GriffithWilliam W. CrouchWilliam W. HartzogJohn H. Tilelli Jr.Barry R. McCaffreyLeon E. SalomonGary E. LuckWayne A. DowningJ. H. Binford Peay IIIDavid M. MaddoxJohn M.D. ShalikashviliJimmy D. RossFrederick M. Franks Jr.Dennis J. ReimerGeorge A. JoulwanCarl W. StinerGordon R. SullivanWilliam G. T. Tuttle Jr.Edwin H. Burba Jr.Colin L. PowellRobert W. RisCassiCrosbie E. SaintJohn Galvin (soldier)Iraq WarWar in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dates of rank are taken, where available, from the U.S. Army register of active and retired commissioned officers, or from the World Almanac and Book of Facts. The date listed is that of the officer's first promotion to general.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Positions listed are those held by the officer when promoted to general. Dates listed are for the officer's full tenure, which may predate promotion to four-star rank or postdate retirement from active duty.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Date of rank" column from the last year in the "Position" column. Time spent between active-duty four-star assignments is not counted, nor is time spent on special duty as an unassigned general of the Army.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sources of commission are listed in parentheses after the year of commission and include: the United States Military Academy (USMA); Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university; ROTC at a senior military college such as the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Norwich University (Norwich), (PMC), or Widener University (Widener); Officer Candidate School (OCS); the aviation cadet program (cadet); the Army National Guard (ARNG); direct commission (direct); and battlefield commission (battlefield).
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The number of years in commission before being promoted to four-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Commission" column from the year in the "Date of rank" column.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Notes include years of birth and death; awards of the Medal of Honor, Congressional Gold Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom, or honors of similar significance; major government appointments; university presidencies or equivalents; familial relationships with other four-star officers or significant government officials such as U.S. Presidents, cabinet secretaries, U.S. Senators, or state governors; and unusual career events such as premature relief or death in office.
  7. ↑ Commissioned general in the Continental Army, 1775; resigned, 1783; commissioned lieutenant general in the U.S. Army, 1798; promoted to General of the Armies, October 11, 1976, with date of rank July 4, 1976 (Public Law 94-479).
  8. ↑ Resigned, 1869, to serve as President; reappointed general and placed on the retired list, March 3, 1885.
  9. ↑ Brevetted general, May 1918.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Reverted to major general upon expiration of wartime legislation, June 30, 1920; advanced to general on the retired list, June 21, 1930, as highest grade held during World War I.
  11. ↑ Reverted to major general, November 20, 1930; retired as general, March 31, 1931.
  12. ↑ Reverted to major general, October 1, 1935; retired as general, December 31, 1937; recalled as major general, July 26, 1941; promoted to lieutenant general, July 27, 1941; promoted to general, December 18, 1941, with rank from September 16, 1936; promoted to general of the Army, December 18, 1944; rank made permanent, April 11, 1946; restored to active list, July 9, 1948; relieved of all commands, April 11, 1951.
  13. ↑ Retired as general, August 1939; recalled as major general, September 1941.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Received a direct commission following graduation from a military college prior to the creation of ROTC.
  15. ↑ Promoted to general of the Army, December 16, 1944; rank made permanent, April 11, 1946; retired as general of the Army, February 28, 1947; restored to active list, March 1, 1949.
  16. ↑ Advanced to general on the retired list, June 15, 1940, as former chief of staff of the Army.
  17. ↑ Retired from active service as general of the Army, 1948; recalled as general of the Army, December 1950; resigned, 1952, to run for President; reappointed general of the Army, March 1961.
  18. ↑ "General Orders No. 22". Headquarters, U.S. Air Force (digitized by NARA). July 26, 1945. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/145795063?objectPage=1366. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Transferred to U.S. Air Force, September 18, 1947.
  20. ↑ Retired as major general, January 31, 1945; recalled February 1, 1945; promoted to general, March 5, 1945; advanced to general on the retired list, July 12, 1946; retired, July 20, 1946.
  21. ↑ Retired as major general, April 30, 1946; advanced to general on the retired list, June 4, 1948.
  22. ↑ Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Vatican City withdrawn, 1951.
  23. ↑ "Letter on Assignment of General Carl Spaatz as Deputy to the Commanding General, Army Air Forces for Special Organizational Planning". Headquarters, U.S. Air Force (digitized by NARA). December 4, 1945. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/145791202?objectPage=209. 
  24. ↑ Died in car crash, December 23, 1950; posthumously promoted to general, January 2, 1951.
  25. ↑ Retired as general, July 1959; recalled as general, July 1961.
  26. ↑ 26.00 26.01 26.02 26.03 26.04 26.05 26.06 26.07 26.08 26.09 26.10 Advanced to general on the retired list, July 19, 1954, as a lieutenant general who, during World War II, commanded Army Ground Forces, commanded an army in any of the Theaters of Operations, was commanding general of U.S. forces in China and chief of staff to Chiang Kai-shek, or commanded Western Defense Command (Public Law 83-508).
  27. ↑ Connor, Albert Ollie (June 12, 1969). "Memorandum for the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army on the Extension of General Lemnitzer". Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, U.S. Army, G-1 (digitized by NARA). https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/st-louis/rg-319/299741/Mixed01/299741_021/299741_021_0652.jpg. 
  28. ↑ Retired as general, August 1963; recalled as general, September 1963.
  29. ↑ Retired as general, December 1959; recalled as general, January 1960.
  30. ↑ Retired as general, July 1970; recalled as general, August 1970.
  31. ↑ Retired as general, December 1974; recalled as lieutenant general, June 1977; retired as general, July 1981.
  32. ↑ Transferred from Army National Guard, 1920; retired, 1947; retained on active duty until 1973; advanced to general on the retired list, February 1970, with date of rank December 23, 1969.
  33. ↑ "Personnel - White House Appointment of Military Personnel to Staff". 1974. p. 11. https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0019/4520749.pdf. 
  34. ↑ Haig served as White House chief of staff while on active duty as a general from May to July 1973. He retired from the Army in August 1973 and remained chief of staff as a civilian until September 1974, when he was recalled to active duty.
  35. ↑ Retired as general, August 1, 1973; remained White House chief of staff as civilian until 1974; recalled as general, September 1974.
  36. ↑ "'Stormin' Norman' Schwarzkopf, lauded Gulf War commander, dies - CNN.com". CNN. 2012-12-28. http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/27/us/schwarzkopf-obit/?hpt=hp_t1. 
  37. ↑ First nomination as Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG) withdrawn, 1992.
  38. ↑ Graduated from Pennsylvania Military College, which was reorganized as a civilian institution in 1972 and is now Widener University.
  39. ↑ Jackson, Gregg Zoroya and David. "Embattled VA chief Shinseki resigns". https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/usanow/2014/05/30/shinseki-va-veteran-scandal-health-care-delays/9758061/. 
  40. ↑ Retired as general, November 2000; recalled as general, August 2003.
  41. ↑ Relieved, July 2005, and retired as lieutenant general.
  42. ↑ Reverted to major general, March 2011; retired as lieutenant general, November 13, 2012.
  43. ↑ Nomination as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA) withdrawn, 2008.
  44. ↑ First nomination as commander, U.S. Africa Command (CDRUSAFRICOM) returned to the President, 2013.
  45. ↑ First nomination as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA) returned to the President, 2013.
  46. ↑ First nomination as commander, United Nations Command, commander, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command, and commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CDRUNC/CDRCFC/COMUSFK) returned to the President, 2021.
  47. ↑ "General Laura J. Richardson (USA)". https://www.gomo.army.mil/public/Biography/usa-7780/lauraj-richardson. 
  48. ↑ "Washington Never a General of U.S. Army; Rank Created for Him, but Not Conferred". February 2, 1936. p. N8. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70E14FF3E5F167B93C0A91789D85F428385F9&scp=1&sq=%22george+washington%22+%22u.s.+army%22+general+&st=p. 
  49. ↑ "45 U.S. Officers Outrank George Washington". September 27, 1953. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30D12F93E5A107B93CAAB1782D85F478585F9&scp=1&sq=%22george+washington%22+outrank&st=p. 
  50. ↑ Office of the Judge Advocate General, United States Army (1915). "The military laws of the United States, 1915, Volume 1, Issue 915 (also The military laws of the United States, 1915, Volume 1, Issue 915)". Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. 
  51. ↑ Bell, pp. 19–24.
  52. ↑ Acts of May 18, 1917 (Public Law 65-12, Section 8), and October 6, 1917 (Public Law 65-90, Section 3).
  53. ↑ "Rank Of General For Bliss And March; Former Gets Brevet Title for Services Abroad — Latter Becomes Chief of Staff". May 21, 1918. p. 6. https://www.nytimes.com/1918/05/21/archives/rank-of-general-for-bliss-and-march-former-gets-brevet-title-for.html. 
  54. ↑ "March to Lose Two Stars on June 30; Going Back to Rank of Major General". June 23, 1920. p. 13. https://www.nytimes.com/1920/06/23/archives/march-to-lose-two-stars-on-june-30-going-back-to-rank-of-major.html?sq=march+revert&scp=1&st=p. 
  55. ↑ Act of August 7, 1947 [Officer Personnel Act of 1947], Sections 504(b,d)
  56. ↑ 10 USC 601. "Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals". http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/10/subtitles/a/parts/ii/chapters/35/sections/section_601.html. 
  57. ↑ 10 USC 525. "Distribution of commissioned officers on active duty in general officer and flag officer grades". http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/10/subtitles/a/parts/ii/chapters/32/sections/section_525.html. 
  58. ↑ "Did you know... how many SACEURs continued their military careers in other posts after leaving SHAPE?". https://shape.nato.int/page2148151925. 

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