The rank of 6-star general holds an exceptional place within the hierarchy of the US military, with the title having been conferred only twice in history. One individual was promoted to this esteemed rank during their lifetime, while the other received the honor posthumously. Their remarkable accomplishments and outstanding credentials make it abundantly clear why they remain the sole recipients of such a prestigious distinction.
John J. Pershing’s slow climb up the US military hierarchy
Prior to attaining the rarefied rank of 6-star general, John J. Pershing commenced his military journey by joining the US Military Academy West Point. Following his graduation, the initial years of his military service found him engaged in conflicts against the Apache and Lakota Sioux in New Mexico, as well as other Western outposts. During his time in Montana, he ascended to the rank of first lieutenant in the 10th Cavalry Regiment.
In 1898, Pershing and the 10th Cavalry were dispatched to Cuba to participate in the Spanish-American War. He played pivotal roles in the battles of Santiago de Cuba and San Juan Hill, garnering a Silver Citation Star, which was later upgraded to the Silver Star, along with a promotion to captain. Subsequently, he was assigned to the Philippines, where he led numerous campaigns to quell the Moro Rebellion and achieved the rank of brigadier general.
In 1916, US President Woodrow Wilson entrusted Pershing with leading an expedition into Mexico to pursue the revolutionary Francisco “Pancho” Villa, who’d recently conducted a raid on Columbus, New Mexico. The pursuit entailed approximately 10,000 soldiers and spanned nearly a year. Despite Pershing’s and his men’s determined efforts, the elusive Villa remained at large.
John J. Pershing refused to sacrifice American lives
It was when the US entered the First World War in 1917 that Pershing’s military service would lead to his promotion to 6-star general. President Wilson appointed him as commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). He was sent to France to collect a General Organization Report that was used to create an army of one million soldiers by 1918 and three million by the following year. He was tasked with turning these inexperienced servicemen into a professional fighting force.
The French and the British wanted to absorb AEF troops, instead of letting them operate independently. However, Pershing strongly defended the idea of keeping the US Army whole. While the Supreme War Council wound up recommending the amalgamation of US troops into other armies, Pershing refused. He described the decision as “pouring new wine into old bottles.” He wouldn’t sacrifice American lives for cannon fodder.
Promotion to 6-star general
When Pershing returned home, he was recognized for his efforts during WWI and became the first person to be promoted to the rank of 6-star general. The title is officially known as the “General of the Armies of the United States,” and as Pershing was the first person named to the rank, there was no insignia established for the position. This led him to create it himself, wearing gold stars, which differed from the silver worn by generals.
Pershing retained his 6-star rank for the rest of his military career. According to the US Army Center of Military History, he retired from the Army on September 13, 1924 and retained his rank until his death in 1948.
The trouble with George Washington’s military rank
Although John J. Pershing was technically the first person to be given a promotion to 6-star general, it was posthumously given to George Washington, who lived many years prior. Washington served as the first president of the United States. Prior to that, he served as commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Washington led the Colonial forces to victory over the British, cementing himself as a national hero. He then became the elected president of the convention that wrote the US Constitution. For everything he did, he died with his highest rank at that time: three-star lieutenant general. That meant plenty of four- and five-star generals outranked the man who built the foundation of the country.
A posthumous promotion to 6-star general
When Washington was promoted to lieutenant general, four- and five-star generals didn’t yet exist, yet alone the rank of six-star. As these rankings were developed, Congress agreed it was inappropriate for Washington to be outranked by officers who’d served in the American Civil War, the First World War or World War II.
On March 13, 1978, a law was passed to promote Washington to the rank of 6-star general, General of the Armies of the United States, effective July 4, 1976. It determined that “no officer of the United States Army should outrank Lieutenant General George Washington on the Army list.”
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As Pershing was also a 6-star general, he didn’t outrank Washington and was therefore allowed to keep his ranking. History will remember these two men for their exemplary service to the country, being the only two (thus far) to be granted such a high level in the US military.