Admiral of the Navy

Insignia for Admiral of the Navy, worn by Admiral George Dewey

Admiral of the Navy is a rank that has only been held once in U.S. Navy history: by George Dewey. In recognition of his victory at Manila Bay in 1898, Congress authorized a single officer to hold the rank of Admiral, and promoted Dewey to this rank in March 1899. By a Congressional Act of 24 March 1903, Dewey's rank was established as Admiral of the Navy, effective retroactive to March 1899. It was specified that this rank was senior to the four-star rank of Admiral and was equal to Admiral of the Fleet in the British Royal Navy. The rank lapsed with the death of Admiral Dewey on 16 January 1917.

The rank Admiral of the Navy was first seen as a six star rank during the Second World War, with the establishment of the rank of five-star Fleet Admiral. It was during this time that the Department of the Navy specified that the new 1944 version of the rank of Fleet Admiral was to be junior to Dewey's rank of Admiral of the Navy. However, as there have never been an Admiral of the Navy and a Fleet Admiral serving at the same time, the six star rank status has not been totally confirmed.

During the preparations for the invasion of Japan, a proposal was raised by the Navy Department to appoint Chester Nimitz to the rank of Admiral of the Navy or grant him some equivalent rank. The proposal, however, was dropped after the Japanese surrender, and the United States Navy has never officially appointed anyone to the rank of six star admiral. Even so, Admiral of the Navy is considered senior to the rank of Fleet Admiral and the equivalent of the Army's rank of General of the Armies.

See also

• List of U.S. military leaders by rank

Sources

• United States Naval Service Record of Chester Nimitz, Military Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri

v • d • e United States commissioned officer and officer candidate ranks
	Officer candidate	O-1	O-2	O-3	O-4	O-5	O-6	O-7	O-8	O-9	O-10	Special	Special
Approximate insignia:	(no universal insignia)												(no authorized insignia)
Air Force:	CDT / OT	2d Lt	1st Lt	Capt	Maj	Lt Col	Col	Brig Gen	Maj Gen	Lt Gen	Gen	GOAF[1][4]	[2]
Army:	CDT / OC	2LT	1LT	CPT	MAJ	LTC	COL	BG	MG	LTG	GEN	GA[1][4]	General of the Armies[1][4]
Marine Corps:	Midn / Cand	2ndLt	1stLt	Capt	Maj	LtCol	Col	BGen	MajGen	LtGen	Gen	[2]	[2]
Navy:	MIDN / OC	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	FADM[1][4]	Admiral of the Navy[1][4]
Coast Guard:	CDT	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	[2]	[2]
Public Health Service:	[2]	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RADM	RADM	VADM	ADM	[2]	[2]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:	[2]	ENS	LTJG	LT	LCDR	CDR	CAPT	RDML	RADM	VADM[1][4]	[3]	[2]	[2]
Grade inactive [1] Grade never created [2] Grade is authorized for use by U.S. Code but has not been created [3] Grade requires Congressional approval for re-activation [4]