General of the Armies

Proposed distinction " General of the Armies "

The General of the Armies of the United States ( German: General of the Armed Forces or of the armies of the United States) is a six -star general, and thus the highest rank for an officer of the U.S. armed forces.

This rank was awarded in U.S. history only two people. In 1919 it was John J. Pershing for his service in the First World War, and in 1976 the rank during the celebrations of 200 years of independence of the United States was posthumously awarded to George Washington.

Ranking

The Army General reports directly to the President of the United States. In the branches of the armed forces, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps or U.S. Coast Guard, there is no equivalent to this rank. He therefore subject to the commander of the Army ( General of the Army ), Air Force (General of the Air Force), Navy (Fleet Admiral ) and Marine Corps.

Particularity

John J. Pershing was allowed to choose his own insignia. He chose to wear the four stars of a general, but in gold instead of the usual silver.