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During the war George Marshall (Dec 16 1944), Douglas MacArthur (Dec 18 1944) and Dwight Eisenhower (Dec 20 1944), and from the Army Air Force Henry H. "Hap" Arnold (December 21 1944) were made five star General of the Army. Omar Bradley was also promoted to the rank (September 22 1950).

From the Navy William Leahy (December 15 1944), Ernest King (December 17 1944) and Chester Nimitz (December 19 1944), and then just after the war William Halsey (December 11 1945) were made Admiral of the Fleet.

These nine officers are the only five star officers the US has ever had.

Some contend that John J. Pershing, commander of the AEF during WWI and afterward Chief of Staff of the US Army was a six star general, based on the fact that congress made him "General of the Armies", which sounds superior to General of the Army. Congress never indicated just what was meant as far as the relative ranks of Pershing and the generals of the next war, and Pershing wore no special insignia to denote his rank as General of the Armies.

By Act of Congress July 4, 1976, George Washington was made superior to all other generals of the US Army. No rank or insignia was prescribed. During the Revolution Washington was self-appointed a Lieutenant General.

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13y ago

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