Your pick of America's top 5 commanding generals...... My list, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and William Sherman.( confederate commanders qualify for this question, most were West Point grads).....If your in a foreign country reading this, give me a list of your country's top five, would be interested to see who the British pick.
2006-07-12 10:45:51 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
towel42, this question was directed specifically at those that discuss this stuff, war is a terrible thing I agree, but this is the type of things guys discuss while trying to kill that last hour of the day and your work is done.
2006-07-12 11:23:23 · update #1
I'm going to leave this one open for a while to get as many answers as possible,
2006-07-15 08:19:31 · update #2
General John Lejune- Only Marine General ever to command an Army division. Took over after the division's commander was killed during World War I
General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller- Most famous for leading the First Marine Division during the battle of Chosin Resovoir (Frozen Chosin) during Korea, also, created the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team as it is seen today. Was to be played by John Wayne in a movie until John Wayne died.
General George Patton-Led US forces during the campaign in N. Africa and Italy, later led an armored division after D-Day. Led the unit that allowed the breakout from Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Recognized, as did General Douglass McArthur, what communism truly meant for the world, and that we shouldn't have stopped at Berlin.
Admiral (still a flag officer) Chester Nimitz-Five star admiral Commander In Chief (CINC) Pacific Forces. After the battle of Iwo Jima, "he battle of Iwo Jima has been won. Among the Americans who served on Iwo, uncommon valor was a common virtue." Later, the namesake of America's most powerful aircraft carriers.
General "Stormin'" Norman Shwartzkopf- Allied commander of Desert storm/Desert Shield. Used deception and a powerful Blitzkrieg attack to devastate iraqi forces in Kuwait.
Some other historical generals that I respect include Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, Admiral Donitz, both of WWII Germany, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, of the Imperial Japanese Navy, General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army and General William T Sherman of the United States army.
2006-07-15 06:17:12 · answer #1 · answered by The_moondog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
George Washington - Defeated the the former world's greatest power with the farmers of the a newly budding nation.
Robert E. Lee - He defended against impossible odds, with little supplies, and had a great loss/kill ratio.
Nathan Bedford Forrest - This guy was the ultimate tough guy. Look him up. There are some amazing stories on him.
Douglas MacArthur - Got fired for speaking his opinion.
George Patton - Good general, very popular, but not the second best in U.S. history. I guess you saw his movie.
2006-07-12 11:04:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sherman, Patton, Jackson, Lee, MacArthur.
2006-07-12 10:52:16 · answer #3 · answered by DT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stonewall Jackson - he made a great general out of Bobby Lee. Without Jackson, Lee lost at Gettysburg.
Nathan Bedford Forest - outstanding cavalry officer, won many battles thru bluff and guile.
Douglas MacArthur - we would've won the Korean War if the politicians back home didn't hamstrung him. He wanted permission to bomb the bridges coming into N.Korea from China but was forbidden to do so.
Gen. Hancock - mainly for his brilliance at Gettysburg, he saved the day for Meade and the Union army.
George Washington - held together a rag-tag Continental Army and won pivotal battles that won our independence.
2006-07-12 13:19:31 · answer #4 · answered by Its not me Its u 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
George Washington, George Patton, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas Mcaurthur, U.S. Grant
2006-07-12 10:54:45 · answer #5 · answered by Jimmy Pete 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion any such comparison can only be made during 1 war or period such as WW2. As an ex-serving Brit I'd recommend Urquhart (Airborne), Horricks (Armoured) Wavel & Slim CinC's for the Brits & Rommel for Germany. Both Montgomery & Browning (Boy Browning) attained their classic victories from the thinking of others and on the backs of younger hard working staff officers. Montgomery had brilliant generals like Horricks and Urquhart but continually refused promoting them to full generals, always taking credit for their victories! Boy Browning lived in a totally enclosed world - devoid of any consideration whatsover for less ranking officers and completely removed from the rank and file. Montgomery of the same inclination!
2006-07-13 06:11:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1.George Patton 2. Patton's mentor-- John "Black Jack" Pershing 3.Ulysses S.Grant 4.Andrew Jackson 5.George Washington. There are so many great American Generals in our history it's a tough question.
2006-07-12 10:56:12 · answer #7 · answered by Kennyp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not Lee. Sorry, he was a West Pointer, but he was a traitor, and he was a piss poor general. His order were to take DC not wander around Pennsylvania some 83 miles north of DC. He also ordered Picket's charge against a fortified position that was across a mile of open field. No, no, not Lee.
2006-07-12 10:52:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would have to be Gen MacArthur and Patton ...These were the last grate American generals "They were real Men.." Men of character, credibility, men of true grit... also General Rommel.. from Germany .. He almost beat our a** he just ran out of gas for his tanks etc...one small mistake !!! He even had Patton worried...
2006-07-12 11:03:13 · answer #9 · answered by ralphtheartist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) Cpt. Lance Sijan(Although wasn't a general, but sure had a bright future)
2) Douglas MacArthur
3) Michael Hayden
4) Billy Mitchell
5)Henry Arnold
2006-07-12 10:52:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋