The origin of the five-star general
The highest rank of the US Army is called (Army General), which is generally understood as "Five-Star General". The basic condition for promotion is that you must have served as the commander of the allied theater. Over the years, those who have won this honor are all related to World War II, including MacArthur (Commander of the Pacific Theater), Eisenhower and Marshall (Commander of the European Theater) and Bradley (Commander of the Mediterranean Theater).
The US Navy originally had only four-star generals. Because Britain and the United States have been fighting side by side for a long time, the level is equal. Its highest rank is called (Marshal), which is generally translated as commander-in-chief or commander-in-chief of the fleet. During World War II, the United States also regarded four fleet commanders, Li Hai, Jin En, halsey and Nimitz, as "five-star generals".
The US Air Force originally belonged to the Army, but it was not until World War II that it officially became an independent service, so no air force general was awarded the title of "five-star general".
Only ten people in history have won this special honorary rank. They are:
Pershing, douglas macarthur, dwight david eisenhower, George Catlett Marshall, omar nelson bradley, Willian Daniel Leahy, ernest joseph king, chester william nimitz, halsey, Henry Harry Arnold.
Pershing was the first five-star general. At first, the title of "Marshal" was only awarded to him and Marshall, who had the greatest prestige and contribution in the American army. Later, Marshall's name was considered to be exactly the same as the English "Marshal", so only the rank of five-star general was awarded. In fact, as far as status is concerned, only Pershing is eligible for the rank of Marshal, so Pershing is generally called a special "general of all armies" (note that the latter has an "S"), but in fact he is awarded the title of five-star general.
In American history, only 10 senior commanders were awarded the rank of five-star general. Moreover, only the army and navy have five-star generals, and there is no such title in the ranks of the Marine Corps. As for the air force, since the United States did not have an independent air force during World War II, it is naturally impossible to have a five-star general's air force. Arnold was then the commander-in-chief of the Army Air Force, and was awarded the five-star general of the Army at the same time as Marshall. Interestingly, 1949 In May, two years after the establishment of the US Air Force, he was awarded a five-star general in the Air Force. Become the only five-star general of both armies. Some writers regard Arnold as two people.
1. john joseph pershing
John joseph pershing, nicknamed Jack of Spades, was born and died in1860.9.13-1948.7.15. Place of birth: Laklide Town, Lynn County, Missouri; place of death: Walter Reed Hospital, DC; place of burial: Arlington National Cemetery, DC; School: United States Army Military Academy (West Point Military Academy), position: Commander of the American European Expeditionary Force, Chief of Staff of the Army, rank: General of the Army; Madam: Warren; War experience: 1898 invaded Cuba, 19 16 invaded Mexico, 19 18 Battle of San Millai, etc. Works: My Experience in the World War, final report; Famous saying: "This war is carried out with selfless, fearless, indomitable and indomitable spirit, which is necessary to win the final victory."
2. george katt Wright Marshall
George Catlett Marshall, year of birth and death:1880.5438+02.35438+0-1959438+00.6438+06; Birthplace: Youning Town, Pennsylvania; Place of death: Walter Reed Hospital, Virginia; Buried place: Fort Myers, Virginia; School: Virginia Military Academy; Position: Army Chief of Staff, US Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense; Rank: general of the army; Wife: Elizabeth Coles Carter, Catherine Brown; Works: Marshall Report; Famous saying: "a truly great general can overcome all difficulties;" Fighting and fighting are nothing more than a series of difficulties to be overcome. A real general, no matter how difficult it is, can show his talents and turn defeat into victory. "
3. douglas macarthur
Douglas Macategur, date of birth and death:1880.5438+0.26—1964.4.3; Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in San Francisco, California and was buried in Little Rock, Texas. School: United States Army Military Academy (West Point); Position: President of West Point Military Academy, Commander-in-Chief of the US Army in the Philippines, Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest Pacific Theater, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Allied Forces and Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Army; Rank: five-star general of the army; Wife: Louis Brooks, Joan Fairclose; Works: Memories of the past.
4. dwight david eisenhower
Dwight Dwight Denny Eisenhower, year of birth and death:1890.10.6438+04-1969.3.28; Born in Denison, Texas, died at Mount Vernon Farm in Gettysburg, Kansas, and was buried in Abilene, Kansas; School: United States Army Military Academy (West Point); Position: Commander-in-Chief of the European Allied Expeditionary Force, Chief of Staff of the Army, President of Columbia University, Chairman of the Military Commission of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and 34th President of the United States; Rank: five-star general of the army; Lady: Marie Zivani Dodd; Works: Expedition to Europe, ordered to change, make peace, gossip; Famous saying: "I can't tolerate those ultra-right elements calling everyone who disagrees with them the * * * production party, and I can't tolerate those ultra-right elements calling us all cruel people who are greedy for money."
5. henry harley arnold
Henry harley arnold, nicknamed Happy Arnold, date of birth and death:1886.6.25—1950.1.15; Born in Gladwell, Pennsylvania, died in Sonoma, California and was buried in Sonoma, California; School: United States Army Military Academy (West Point); Position: Commander of Army Aviation, Deputy Chief of Staff of Army, Commander of Army Aviation; Rank: Air Force Admiral; Lady: Eleanor Appler; Works: global mission, air combat; Famous saying: "excellent research work is the first element of the air force needed to defend national security."
6 Willian Daniel Leahy
Willian Daniel Leahy, date of birth and death:1875.5.6—1959.7.20; Born in Hampton, Iowa, died in Bethesda, Maryland and was buried in Bethesda, Maryland; School: Annapolis Naval Academy; Position: Minister of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States; Rank: Admiral Flier; Works: "Being there".
7. ernest joseph king
Ernest joseph king, date of birth and death:1878.1.23—1956.6.25; Born in Lorraine, Ohio, died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Buried place: Portsmouth, New Hampshire; School: Annapolis Naval Academy; Position: Commander of the Atlantic Fleet, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Minister of Naval Operations, member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, member of the Anglo-American Joint Command; Rank: Commander of the Fleet; Madam: Marti; Works:1941-1945 American navy in the war (officially reported to naval forces) and five-star general Jin *; Famous saying: "The road to victory is long and the days will be difficult. We should try our best. We must have a large number of warships and planes as soon as possible, and then we will fight back and finally win. "
8. chester william nimitz
Chester William Limitz, date of birth and death:1885.2.24—1966.2.24; Place of birth: Fort Frederick, Texas; Place of death: Berkeley, California; Buried place: Berkeley National Cemetery, California; School: Annapolis Naval Academy; Position: Director of Naval Personnel Bureau, Commander-in-Chief of Pacific Fleet and Commander-in-Chief of Pacific Theater, Minister of Naval Operations; Rank: Commander of the Fleet; Lady: Catherine Freeman; Works: Maritime Power: Naval History, Victory in the Pacific: War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression of the Navy; Famous saying: "I don't approve of preemptive war." I believe that as long as there is any hope of success, diplomatic means must be used. As long as we have courage, patience and wisdom, peace can be achieved. "
9. William frederick halsey
William frederick halsey, nickname: Bull, date of birth:1882 5438+00.30—1959.8.16; Place of birth: Elizabeth, New Jersey; Place of death: San Francisco, California; Burial place: San Francisco, California; School: Annapolis Naval Academy; Position: Commander of the Aircraft Carrier Task Force of the Pacific Fleet, Supreme Commander of the South Pacific Theater, Commander of the Third Fleet; Rank: Commander of the Fleet; Lady: Francis Cook Grandi; Works: The story of Admiral Halsey.
10. omar nelson bradley
Omar nelson bradley (1893.2.12—1981)1950 was promoted to be a five-star general in the army. 19 15 studied at west point military academy. At the beginning of World War II, he served as the principal of the infantry school and later as the division commander of the infantry division. From 65438 to 0943, he served as commander of the Second Army of the United States, fighting in Tunisia and Sicily. From 65438 to 0944, he served as commander of the first US Army in Western Europe. 1in August, 944, he served as commander of the first 12 army group in Europe. 1947—— 1949 was the chief of staff of the United States army. 1949 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States and Chairman of the Military Commission of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. 1953 retired.