Candidates for Youngest Officer in the U.S. Army
Among the youngest commissioned officers in the US Army in the 20th and 21st Centuries, are:
CHRISTIAN, David A. b: 26 October 1948 and commissioned a Lt. in the US Army on 1 August 1967-age 18 years 9 months. Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces qualified. Promoted to Captain in Vietnam, age 20, and retired from wounds in Vietnam on 4 July 1970, age-21 years 8 months. Established by 10 USC 1201 & 1372.
Oakes, Loyd, Bombardier, Class 43-17, b- 24 February 1925 and commissioned in the US Army AIR CORPS on 4 Dec 1943 - age 18 yrs, 10 months.
Fretwell, Timothy C. - b: 11 April 1985 and commissioned in the USMC on 25 March 2005 - age 19 yrs, 11 months.
Thrash, Gerald W. - b: 23 October 1943 and commissioned in the US ARMY on 1 October 1963 - age 19 yrs, 11 months.
For the youngest officer in the US Marine Corps: Butler, Smedley Darlington - b. 30 July 1881, commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, USMC, 1898-age 16.
Kane, John E. Jr. - b: 24 May 1948 and commissioned in the US ARMY on 18 July 1967 - age 19 yrs, 1 month.
Irwin, Gerald E-b: 16 July 1948, commissioned in the US Army on 24 June 1967-age 18Years, 11 months- Captain in Vietnam June 1969- 20 Years 11 Months
COOK, Douglas E. b. October 24, 1948, commissioned as a Lt in the US Army on August 30, 1967 - age 18 yrs 10 months. Helicopter Pilot served in Vietnam and Germany . Awarded Over 50 combat medals including the Bronze Star. Left service in July 1973
My own father was among the youngest in US history: Major Philip B Larimore, Jr commissioned on Jan 25, 1943 at 18yrs and 21 days.
Lieutenant Colonel.
General Douglas MacArthur.
A "Second Lieutenant" in the Army and Air Force element, or a "Sub-Lieutenant" in the Navy.
The US Air Force was created from the US Army Air Corps, and the Army ranks were retained, so 2nd lieutenant is the lowest. The term 3rd lieutenant is used, but it applies to Air Force cadets (not officers yet) training on US Air Force bases.
british
Lieutenant Colonel.
The youngest possible US Army soldier possible by US Army Regulations is 17 1/2 years old.
First Lieutenant is a very common rank in the Army, and is held literally by thousands of service members.
Yes.
The US equivalent to a British Commonwealth (UK, Aus, India, etc.) Flight Lieutenant is Captain (US Army/Air Force/Marines) or Lieutenant (US Navy).
2nd Lt . In the US Army, it's "2LT".
George Cluster
In 1798.
Yes he entered the Army as a First Lieutenant in 1808.
General Douglas MacArthur.
A "Second Lieutenant" in the Army and Air Force element, or a "Sub-Lieutenant" in the Navy.
General Hodges was honored to be appointed to command the US Third Army in Europe. His handicap was that General Kruger took most of the best officers of the Third Army to join him in the new Sixth Army.