2007-09-15 14:17:19 · 9 answers · asked by geegee 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
General George Washington was the first 6 star General in US history, followed by General John J. Pershing.
And there was a Resolution in the 84th Congress (SJ Res 26); that would've given General Douglas Mac Arthur his 6th star, but when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, the resolution was scrapped and it was not revisited until 1955, when the United States Congress considered a bill authorizing President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote MacArthur to General of the Armies, in recognition of his many years of service.
At that time, the Army Judge Advocate General warned that, should MacArthur accept promotion to the new rank, he would lose a large amount of retirement pay and benefits associated with the much more firmly-established rank of five-star General of the Army, which he still held. The Army General Staff was also concerned that George C. Marshall was senior to MacArthur and that, should MacArthur be made a General of the Armies, a similar measure would have to be passed promoting Marshall as well. Because of the various complications, MacArthur declined promotion and the bill to promote him was dropped.
2007-09-16 01:32:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
6 stars? I have missed that. I know that there were 5 star Generals, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley were two that received a fifth star. The thing is, is that rank is only been used during war time and Bradley was the last of the 5 star generals. I will have to look into this one. =) Well it looks like the guy above me is right. Pershing and Washington were the only two. neither one actually wore the rank however, in other words it is almost like receiving a high military honor. Washington got it after his death and Pershing received it but he was retired. So he never wore six stars on his uniform. So, it has been given but only to people who no longer are serving in the military. It's sounds kind of like a professor emeritus. You are still listed on the college's list of professors but you are no longer teaching and have retired. It is like a honorable mention. That is a great question!! I will have to give you a star for this one. =)
2007-09-15 14:28:20 · answer #2 · answered by Prof. Dave 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe that Blackjack Pershing and Pres Washington wre both General of the armies. By law Gen Washington is the senior US military officer, not that he or Blackjack will be attending and NCO dining outs. A matter of respect I suppose for the man that got it all started. I don't think Washington ever wore more than three stars though and Pershing wore four.
2007-09-15 16:06:13 · answer #3 · answered by Chuck J 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO SUCH ANIMAL!!! George Washington held an unique position as General of the Armies [Continental Army] and John J. Pershing as General of the Armies [American Expeditionary Forces] however no such six-star rank device ever existed. When it decided to promote the select group of officers to 'General of the Army' in World War II it was also decide to give Washington and Pershing their honorific titles so they might not be considered as being of a lessor rank. It refers to their positions as being the two most senior general officers. No six star insignia ever exited representing those positions.
2007-09-16 17:48:28 · answer #4 · answered by oscarsix5 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
John J. Pershing-World War One
George Washington- posthumously.
2007-09-15 14:27:31 · answer #5 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
no 6 star ever
2015-03-30 07:32:16 · answer #6 · answered by COL.MAYZR 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pershing and Washington.
2007-09-16 03:33:21 · answer #7 · answered by robert43041 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I did not know that there ever was a 6 star general.Like they say you learn something new every day. if it is true.
2007-09-15 16:26:05 · answer #8 · answered by george 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By law, Gen Washington will always be number one in seniority.
2007-09-15 16:34:12 · answer #9 · answered by Richard B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋