2007-03-13 12:30:52 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The best US General was undoubtedly George Washington. No other US general had the supply or political problems that Washington contended with. Moreover, you have to look at the quality of the enemy. Britain was a real superpower and we were barely able to tie our own shoes.
Many of the other generals listed were good - but let's face it, they had the full support of the American people and an enormous amount of logistical support. In all of our post-revolutionary major conflicts (Civil War (Northern perspective), WWI and WWII) I think it could be argued that just about any idiot we put in place could have, with enough time, won the war based on the US population and manufacturing bases.
Now, the wars would have lasted longer and citizen support could have waned [which happened in the North in the Civil War - had the Confederate general in Atlanta (Bragg, I think, or maybe Hood - I'm a bit rusty) not come out and attacked Sherman, Atlanta wouldn't have fallen in time to save Lincoln's second-term election. McClellan could have won and he wanted to end the war at all costs].
A special note on MacArthur: He sucked. He ordered the destruction of the WWI vets shanty-town in Washington DC when they were protesting to get their promised war bonuses. He also screwed up Korea - while the invasion at Inchon was inspired, he split his forces in North Korea thus weakening their ability to support each other while they were near the border of China. This action about begged the Chinese to intervene and led to the horror of the Chosin Reservoir and the bitter retreat back into South Korea.
Admiral is clearly Nimitz. Halsey was a boob - he let himself get suckered in at Leyte Gulf and sent his main task force after a bunch of empty Japanese carriers. This action left the invasion force virtually uncovered. If it hadn't been for the heroic action of the USS Johnston and a couple of other 'tin cans' and escort carriers, the entire Philippines invasion army/fleet could have been wiped out. Halsey also had a nasty habit of getting his units caught at sea during typhoons.
2007-03-13 13:05:27 · answer #1 · answered by Harry M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Greatest American General or Admiral was General Robert E. Lee.
2007-03-13 19:48:27 · answer #2 · answered by prez33rd 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Admiral McCain, Admiral Nadar, Admiral Borda, Admiral Hopper, Admiral John W. Goodwin.
Go Navy!
2007-03-13 20:05:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
General Robert E. Lee and Admiral Chester Nimitz.
Lee's tactics are still being taught at West Point, and the Navy is still using programs and strategies thought out by Nimitz.
2007-03-13 20:32:25 · answer #4 · answered by Team Chief 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
GENERAL BLACK JACK PERSHING
Born September 13th, 1860 near Laclede, MS.
Died July 15th, 1948 in Washington, DC.
Highlights of his life and military career:
- 1891 Prof. of Military Science and Tactics Univ of Nebraska
- 1898 Serves in the Spanish-American War
- 1901 Awarded the rank of Captain
- 1906 Promoted to the rank of Brigadier General
- 1909 Military Governor of Moro Province, Philippines
- 1916 Made Major General
- 1919 Promoted to General of the Armies
- 1921 Appointed Chief of Staff
- 1924 Retires from active duty Education West Point
Just before WW1, there were a number of terrorist attacks on the United States forces in the Philippines by Muslim extemists. So General Purshing captured 50 terrorists and had them tied to posts for execution. He then had his men bring in two pigs and slaughter them in front of the now horrified terrorists. Muslims detest pork because they believe pigs are filthy animals. Most simply refuse to eat it, while others won't even touch pigs at all, nor any of their by-products. To them, eating or touching a pig, its meat or blood, etc., is to be instantly barred from "paradise" (and all those virgins), and doomed to hell. The soldiers then soaked their bullets in the pigs blood, and proceeded to execute 49 of the terrorists by firing squad. The soldiers then dug a big hole, dumped in the terrorist's bodies, and covered them in the pigs blood, entrails, etc. They let the 50th terrorist go. And for the next forty-two years, there was not a single Muslim extremist attack anywhere in the world.
Maybe it is time for this segement of history to repeat itself, maybe in Iraq? The real question is, where do we find another Black Jack Pershing?
2007-03-13 21:06:03 · answer #5 · answered by nardo84 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greatest area conquered: Southwest Pacific. MacArthur.
Highest GPA at West Point: Lee, Pershing, MacArthur.
Most promoted officer: MacArthur. (2 LT to 4 STAR, retired, came back as a 2 STAR, promoted to 5 STAR, meaning he was promoted SEVEN times to general and higher grades.)
Most promoted enlisted and officer: Bradley.
Highest/Most Decorated: MacArthur.
2007-03-13 20:02:09 · answer #6 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
General George S. Patton and Admiral Chester Nimitz.
2007-03-13 19:35:22 · answer #7 · answered by just the facts 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
General George Patton
Admiral Bill Halsey
2007-03-13 19:34:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The U.S. has had many great Generals through out our history. and not to take greatest away from any one of them I would have to say the greatest General would be one of your first, General Washington, because without him the other many not have been great.
2007-03-13 19:37:59 · answer #9 · answered by need4speedsc 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well what branch? just over all, I'd say Lewis B. Puller! (Chesty Puller, USMC) he was a Lietenant General at the end of his career but he is still the most decorated Marine, Best combat officer, and the only Marine in HISTORY to win 5 navy crosses! plus he was in 4 wars! hell yea OORAH! SEMPER FI!
2007-03-13 19:35:49 · answer #10 · answered by Marine 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋