List of United States Army four-star generals

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Flag of an Army
four-star general

This is a complete list of four-star generals in the United States Army, past and present. The rank of general (or full general, or four-star general) is the highest rank normally achievable in the U.S. Army. It ranks above lieutenant general (three-star general) and below General of the Army (five-star general).

There have been 248 four-star generals in the history of the U.S. Army. Of these, 234 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Army; eight were promoted after retirement; five were promoted posthumously; and one (George Washington) was appointed to that rank in the Continental Army, the U.S. Army's predecessor. Generals entered the Army via several paths: 157 were commissioned via the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), 50 via Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university, 16 via direct commission (direct), 13 via Officer Candidate School (OCS), eight via ROTC at a senior military college, one via ROTC at a military junior college, one via direct commission in the Army National Guard (ARNG), one via the aviation cadet program, and one via battlefield commission.

List of generals[]

Entries in the following list of four-star generals are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was promoted to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Army. Each entry lists the general's name, date of rank,[1] active-duty positions held while serving at four-star rank,[2] number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank (Yrs),[3] year commissioned and source of commission,[4] number of years in commission when promoted to four-star rank (YC),[5] and other biographical notes.[6]

The list is sortable by last name, date of rank, number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank, year commissioned, and number of years in commission when promoted to four-star rank.

# Name Photo Date of rank [1] Position [2] Yrs [3] Commission [4] YC [5] Notes [6]
* George Washington Portrait of George Washington-transparent.png 15 Jun 1775   8 1775 (direct) 0 (1732–1799) [7] Promoted to General of the Armies, July 4, 1976. U.S. President, 1789–1797. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1776.
1 Ulysses S. Grant USGrantVignette.jpg 25 Jul 1866   5 1843 (USMA) 23 (1822–1885) [8] U.S. President, 1869–1877. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1863. Married great-aunt of Navy four-star admiral U. S. Grant Sharp Jr.
2 William Tecumseh Sherman William-Tecumseh-Sherman.jpg 04 Mar 1869   14 1840 (USMA) 29 (1820–1891) Superintendent, Louisiana Seminary of Learning and Military Academy, 1860–1861. Brother of U.S. Secretary of State John Sherman.
3 Philip Sheridan Philip Sheridan 1-restored.jpg 01 Jun 1888   0 1853 (USMA) 35 (1831–1888) Died in office.
4 Tasker H. Bliss Gen Tasker H Bliss.JPG 06 Oct 1917   2 1875 (USMA) 42 (1853–1930) [9][10] Governor, U.S. Soldiers' Home, 1920–1927.
5 John J. Pershing General John Joseph Pershing head on shoulders.jpg 06 Oct 1917   7 1886 (USMA) 31 (1860–1948) Promoted to General of the Armies, 03 Sep 1919. Chairman, Tacna-Arica Plebiscitary Commission, 1925–1926. Awarded Pulitzer Prize for History, 1932; Congressional Gold Medal, 1946.
6 Peyton C. March Gen Peyton C March.jpg 20 May 1918   2 1888 (USMA) 30 (1864–1955) [10]
7 Charles Pelot Summerall Charles P. Summerall.jpg 23 Feb 1929   1 1892 (USMA) 37 (1867–1955) [11] President, The Citadel, 1931–1953.
8 Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur 58-61.jpg 21 Nov 1930  
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (CSA), 1930–1935.
  • Field Marshal of the Philippine Army, as of August 24, 1936.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (CG USAFFE), 1941–1942.
  • Commander in Chief, South West Pacific Area (CINCSWPA), 1942–1945.
  • Commander in Chief, South West Pacific Area/Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Forces in the Pacific (CINCSWPA/CINCAFPAC), 1945.
  • Supreme Commander, Allied Powers/Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Forces in the Pacific (SCAP/CINCAFPAC), 1945–1947.
  • Supreme Commander, Allied Powers/Commander in Chief, Far East Command (SCAP/CINCFE), 1947–1950.
  • Supreme Commander, Allied Powers/Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, Far East Command (SCAP/CINCUNC/CINCFE), 1950–1951.
 15 1903 (USMA) 27 (1880–1964) [12] Promoted to general of the Army, 18 Dec 1944. Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1919–1922. Awarded Medal of Honor, 1942; Congressional Gold Medal, 1962. Relieved, 1951.
9 Malin Craig MalinCraig.jpg 02 Oct 1935   8 1898 (USMA) 37 (1875–1945) [13]
10 George C. Marshall General George C. Marshall, official military photo, 1946.JPEG 01 Sep 1939   6 1902 (VMI) [14] 38 (1880–1959) [15] Promoted to general of the Army, 16 Dec 1944. Special Representative of the President in China, 1945–1947; U.S. Secretary of State, 1947–1949; President, American Red Cross, 1949–1950; U.S. Secretary of Defense, 1950–1951. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1946; Nobel Peace Prize, 1953.
* John L. Hines John L. Hines.jpg 15 Jun 1940  
  • (retired)
 0 1891 (USMA) 49 (1868–1968) [16] Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, 1924–1926.
11 Dwight D. Eisenhower General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower 1947.jpg 11 Feb 1943  
  • Commander in Chief, Allied (Expeditionary) Force (CINC Allied Forces), 1942–1943.
  • Commander in Chief, Allied Forces/Commander in Chief, Mediterranean Theater of Operations/Commanding General, North African Theater of Operations, U.S. Army (CINC Allied Forces/CINC MTO/CG NATOUSA), 1943–1944.
  • Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force/Commanding General, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army (SCAEF/CG ETOUSA), 1944–1945.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Forces, European Theater/Military Governor, U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany (CG USFET), 1945.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (CSA), 1945–1948.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), 1951–1952.
 6 1915 (USMA) 28 (1890–1969) [17] Promoted to general of the Army, 20 Dec 1944. President, Columbia University, 1948–1953; U.S. President, 1953–1961.
12 Henry H. Arnold General of the Air Force Hap Arnold.png 19 Mar 1943  
  • Commanding General, Army Air Forces (CG AAF), 1942–1946.
 3 1907 (USMA) 36 (1886–1950) [18] Promoted to general of the Army, December 21, 1944; to general of the Air Force, May 7, 1949.
13 Joseph W. Stilwell Stilwell001.jpg 01 Aug 1944   2 1904 (USMA) 40 (1883–1946) Died in office.
14 Walter Krueger Krueger only.jpg 05 Mar 1945  
  • Commanding General, Sixth Army, 1943–1946.
 1 1901 (direct) 44 (1881–1967) [19]
15 Brehon B. Somervell Brehon Somervell.jpg 06 Mar 1945   1 1914 (USMA) 31 (1892–1955) [20]
16 Joseph T. McNarney Joseph T McNarney.jpg 07 Mar 1945   7 1915 (USMA) 30 (1893–1972) [18]
17 Jacob L. Devers Jacob L. Devers.jpg 08 Mar 1945   4 1909 (USMA) 36 (1887–1979)
18 George Kenney George Kenney.jpg 09 Mar 1945  
  • Commanding General, Allied Air Forces, South West Pacific Area (CG AAFSWPA), 1942–1945.
  • Member, Military Staff Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1945–1946.
  • Commanding General, Strategic Air Command (CG SAC), 1946–1948.
  • Commander, Air University, 1948–1951.
 6 1917 (cadet) 28 (1889–1977) [18]
19 Mark W. Clark Mark Clark.jpg 10 Mar 1945  
  • Commanding General, Fifteenth Army Group, 1944–1945.
  • U.S. High Commissioner, Austria/Commanding General, U.S. Forces Austria, 1945–1947.
  • Commanding General, Sixth Army, 1947–1949.
  • Chief, Army Field Forces (CAFF), 1949–1952.
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, Far East Command (CINCUNC/CINCFE), 1952–1953.
 8 1917 (USMA) 28 (1896–1984) [21] President, The Citadel, 1954–1966.
20 Carl Andrew Spaatz Carl Spaatz, Air Force photo portrait, color.jpg 11 Mar 1945  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe (CG USSAFE), 1945.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (CG USASTAF), 1945.
  • Commanding General, Army Air Forces (CG AAF), 1946–1947.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1947–1948.
 3 1914 (USMA) 31 (1891–1974) [18]
21 Omar Bradley General of the Army Omar Bradley.jpg 12 Mar 1945   8 1915 (USMA) 30 (1893–1981) Promoted to general of the Army, 22 Sep 1950. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1977.
22 Thomas T. Handy Thomas Handy.jpg 13 Mar 1945  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (DCSA), 1944–1947.
  • Commanding General, Fourth Army, 1947–1949.
  • Commander in Chief, European Command (CINCEUR), 1949–1952.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1952.
  • Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1952–1954.
 9 1916 (VMI)[14] 29 (1892–1982)
23 George S. Patton General George S Patton.jpg 14 Apr 1945  
  • Commanding General, Third Army, 1944–1945.
  • Commanding General, Fifteenth Army, 1945.
 0 1909 (USMA) 36 (1885–1945) Died in office. Father-in-law of Army four-star general John K. Waters.
24 Courtney Hodges Courtney Hodges.jpg 15 Apr 1945  
  • Commanding General, First Army, 1944–1949.
 4 1909 (direct) 36 (1887–1966)
25 Jonathan M. Wainwright Jonathan Wainright.jpg 05 Sep 1945   1 1906 (USMA) 39 (1883–1953) Awarded Medal of Honor, 1945.
26 Lucius D. Clay Lucius-d-clay-80-87.jpg 28 Mar 1947  
  • Commander in Chief, European Command/Military Governor, U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany (CINCEUR), 1947–1949.
 2 1918 (USMA) 29 (1897–1978) Special Representative of the President in Berlin, 1961–1962. Son of U.S. Senator Alexander S. Clay; father of Air Force four-star general Lucius D. Clay Jr.
27 J. Lawton Collins J-lawton-collins-1948.jpg 24 Jan 1948   7 1917 (USMA) 31 (1896–1987) U.S. Special Representative to Vietnam, 1954–1955.
28 Wade H. Haislip Wade H Haislip.jpg 01 Oct 1949   2 1912 (USMA) 37 (1889–1971) Governor, U.S. Soldiers' Home, 1951–1966.
* Walton Walker Walton H. Walker (US Army General).jpg 02 Jan 1951  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1912 (USMA) 39 (1889–1950) [22] Died in office. Father of Army four-star general Sam S. Walker.
29 Matthew Ridgway MatthewBRidgway.jpg 11 May 1951  
  • Supreme Commander, Allied Powers/Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, Far East Command (SCAP/CINCUNC/CINCFE), 1951.
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, Far East Command (CINCUNC/CINCFE), 1951–1952.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), 1952.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 1952–1953.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (CSA), 1953–1955.
 4 1917 (USMA) 34 (1895–1993) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1986; Congressional Gold Medal, 1990.
30 Walter Bedell Smith Lieutenant General Walter Bedell Smith, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front, in uniform.jpg 01 Jul 1951   2 1917 (direct) 34 (1895–1961) U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1946–1949; U.S. Under Secretary of State, 1953–1954.
31 John E. Hull John E. Hull (GEN) (cropped).jpg 30 Jul 1951  
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1951–1953.
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, Far East Command (CINCUNC/CINCFE), 1953–1955.
 4 1917 (direct) 34 (1895–1975)
32 James A. Van Fleet James van Fleet.jpg 31 Jul 1951   2 1915 (USMA) 36 (1892–1992) Special Representative of the President in the Far East, 1954.
33 Alfred Gruenther Gen. Alfred M. Gruenther.jpg 01 Aug 1951  
  • Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1951–1953.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 1953–1956.
 5 1917 (USMA) 34 (1899–1983) President, American Red Cross, 1957–1964.
34 John R. Hodge John reed hodge.jpg 05 Jul 1952   1 1917 (direct) 35 (1893–1963)
35 Maxwell D. Taylor Maxwell D Taylor official portrait.jpg 23 Jun 1953  
  • Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army (CG EUSA), 1953–1954.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Far East/Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army (CG USAFFE/CG EUSA), 1954–1955.
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, Far East Command (CINCUNC/CINCFE), 1955.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (CSA), 1955–1959.
  • Military Representative of the President (MILREP), 1961–1962.
  • Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 1962–1964.
 9 1922 (USMA) 31 (1901–1987) [23] Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1945–1949; U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam, 1964–1965; President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 1966–1969.
36 Charles L. Bolte Charles L. Bolte.jpg 30 Jul 1953   2 1917 (direct) 36 (1895–1989)
37 William M. Hoge William Hoge.jpg 23 Oct 1953  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1953–1955.
 2 1916 (USMA) 37 (1894–1979)
* Robert L. Eichelberger Robert Eichelberger (2).jpg 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1909 (USMA) 45 (1886–1961) [24] Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1940–1942.
* Lucian Truscott Lucian Truscott.jpg 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1917 (direct) 37 (1895–1965) [24]
* Leonard T. Gerow Gerow portrait.jpg 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1911 (VMI) [14] 43 (1888–1972) [24]
* William Hood Simpson William H. Simpson.jpg 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1909 (USMA) 45 (1888–1980) [24]
* Ben Lear Jr. Ben Lear.jpg 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1901 (direct) 53 (1879–1966) [24]
* Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. General Simon B. Buckner, Jr.jpg 19 Jul 1954  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1908 (USMA) 46 (1886–1945) [24] Killed in action. Son of Kentucky Governor Simon Bolivar Buckner Sr.
* Alexander Patch Alexander Patch portrait.jpg 19 Jul 1954  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1913 (USMA) 41 (1889–1945) [24] Died in office.
* Lesley J. McNair Lesley McNair.jpg 19 Jul 1954  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1904 (USMA) 50 (1883–1944) [24] Killed in action.
* John L. DeWitt John Lesene Dewitt copy.PNG 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1898 (direct) 56 (1880–1962) [24]
* Albert Coady Wedemeyer Albert Coady Wedemeyer.gif 19 Jul 1954  
  • (retired)
 0 1918 (USMA) 36 (1897–1989) [24] Special Representative of the President in China and Korea, 1947. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1985.
* Robert C. Richardson Jr. Robert C RichardsonJr.jpg 19 Jul 1954  
  • (posthumous)
 0 1904 (USMA) 50 (1882–1954) [24]
38 John E. Dahlquist John E Dahlquist.jpg 18 Aug 1954   2 1917 (direct) 37 (1896–1975)
39 Anthony McAuliffe Anthony McAuliffe.jpg 01 Mar 1955  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1955–1956.
 1 1918 (USMA) 37 (1898–1975)
40 Lyman Lemnitzer Lyman L. Lemnitzer.jpg 25 Mar 1955  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Far East/Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army (CG USAFFE/CG EUSA), 1955.
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, Far East Command (CINCUNC/CINCFE), 1955–1957.
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1957–1959.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (CSA), 1959–1960.
  • Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 1960–1962.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (USCINCEUR), 1962–1963.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 1963–1969.
 14 1920 (USMA) 35 (1899–1988) [25] Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1987.
41 Williston B. Palmer Williston B. Palmer.jpg 01 May 1955  
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1955–1957.
  • Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1957–1959.
  • Director of Military Assistance, 1959–1962.
 7 1919 (USMA) 36 (1899–1973) [26] Brother of Army four-star general Charles D. Palmer.
42 Isaac D. White I.D. White;40-white l.jpg 22 Jun 1955  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Far East/Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army (CG USAFFE/CG EUSA), 1955–1957.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Pacific (CINCUSARPAC), 1957–1961.
 6 1922 (Norwich) 33 (1901–1990)
43 Willard G. Wyman Wyman Willard G.jpg 01 Mar 1956   2 1919 (USMA) 37 (1898–1969)
44 Cortlandt V. R. Schuyler Cortlandt V R Schuyler.jpg 18 May 1956  
  • Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1953–1959.
 3 1922 (USMA) 34 (1900–1993) Commissioner, New York State Office of General Services, 1960–1971.
45 George Decker GEN George Decker.jpg 31 May 1956   6 1924 (ROTC) 32 (1902–1980)
46 Henry I. Hodes Henry I. Hodes.jpg 01 Jun 1956  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1956–1959.
 3 1920 (USMA) 36 (1899–1962)
47 Bruce C. Clarke Bruce C Clarke.jpg 01 Aug 1958  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Continental Army Command (CG CONARC), 1958–1960.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1960–1962.
 4 1925 (USMA) 33 (1901–1988)
48 Clyde D. Eddleman Clyde Davis Eddleman.jpg 01 Apr 1959  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1959–1960.
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1960–1962.
 3 1924 (USMA) 35 (1902–1992)
49 Carter B. Magruder Carter B Magruder.jpg 01 Jul 1959   2 1923 (USMA) 36 (1900–1988)
50 Charles D. Palmer Gen. Charles D. Palmer.jpg 01 Oct 1959  
  • Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1959–1962.
 3 1924 (USMA) 35 (1902–1999) Brother of Army four-star general Williston B. Palmer.
51 Clark L. Ruffner Clark L Ruffner.jpg 01 Mar 1960   2 1924 (VMI) 36 (1903–1982)
52 James Edward Moore James Edward Moore.JPG 21 Apr 1960  
  • Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1959–1963.
 3 1924 (USMA) 36 (1902–1986) U.S. High Commissioner, Ryukyu Islands, 1955–1958.
53 Herbert B. Powell Herbert B Powell.jpg 01 Oct 1960   3 1926 (ROTC) 34 (1903–1998) U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, 1963–1967.
54 James Francis Collins James F Collins.jpg 01 Apr 1961   3 1927 (USMA) 34 (1905–1989) President, American Red Cross, 1964–1970.
55 Guy S. Meloy Jr. Guy S Meloy Jr.jpg 01 Jul 1961   2 1927 (USMA) 34 (1903–1964)
56 Paul D. Adams Paul D. Adams portrait.jpg 03 Oct 1961  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Strike Command (USCINCSTRIKE), 1961–1963.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Strike Command/U.S. Commander in Chief, Middle East, Africa south of the Sahara, and South Asia (USCINCSTRIKE/USCINCMEAFSA), 1963–1966.
 5 1928 (USMA) 33 (1906–1987)
57 Paul D. Harkins Harkins.jpg 02 Jan 1962   2 1929 (USMA) 33 (1904–1984)
58 Earle Wheeler Earle Wheeler official photo.JPEG 01 Mar 1962   8 1932 (USMA) 30 (1908–1975) Widow married Army four-star general Frank S. Besson Jr.
59 Barksdale Hamlett Barksdale Hamlett.jpg 02 Apr 1962   2 1930 (USMA) 32 (1908–1979) President, Norwich University, 1966–1972.
60 Paul L. Freeman Jr. Paul L Freeman.jpg 01 May 1962  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1962–1965.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Continental Army Command (CG CONARC), 1965–1967.
 5 1929 (USMA) 33 (1907–1988)
61 Robert J. Wood Robert J. Wood.jpg 01 Sep 1962  
  • Director of Military Assistance, 1962–1965.
 3 1930 (USMA) 32 (1905–1986)
62 John K. Waters John Knight Waters.jpg 28 Feb 1963   3 1931 (USMA) 32 (1906–1989) Son-in-law of Army four-star general George S. Patton
63 Andrew P. O'Meara GEN O'Meara, Andrew Pick cropped.jpg 06 Jun 1963  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1961–1965.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1965–1967.
 4 1930 (USMA) 33 (1907–2005)
64 Theodore W. Parker Theodore W Parker.jpg 01 Jul 1963  
  • Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1963–1969.
 6 1931 (USMA) 32 (1909–1994) Commissioner, New York State Department of Transportation, 1969–1972.
65 Hamilton H. Howze Hamilton Howze.jpg 01 Aug 1963   2 1930 (USMA) 33 (1908–1998)
66 Hugh P. Harris Hugh P Harris.jpg 01 Mar 1964   1 1931 (USMA) 33 (1909–1979) President, The Citadel, 1965–1970.
67 Frank S. Besson Jr. Frank besson.jpg 27 May 1964  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1962–1969.
  • Chairman, Joint Logistics Review Board, 1969–1970.
 6 1932 (USMA) 32 (1910–1985) [27] Incorporator, National Rail Passenger Corporation, 1970–1971; Member, Board of Directors, AMTRAK, 1971–1974. Married widow of Army four-star general Earle G. Wheeler.
68 Harold Keith Johnson HaroldJohnson.png 03 Jul 1964   4 1933 (USMA) 31 (1912–1983)
69 William Westmoreland Gen William C Westmoreland.jpg 01 Aug 1964   8 1936 (USMA) 28 (1914–2005) Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1960–1963; candidate for Republican Party nomination for Governor of South Carolina, 1974.
70 Creighton Abrams GEN Creighton W Abrams.JPG 04 Sep 1964   10 1936 (USMA) 28 (1914–1974) Died in office. Father of Army four-star generals John N. Abrams and Robert B. Abrams.
71 Robert W. Porter Jr. Robert W. Porter, Jr. portrait.jpg 18 Mar 1965  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1965–1969.
 4 1930 (USMA) 35 (1908–2000)
72 Dwight E. Beach Dwight E Beach.jpg 01 Jul 1965   3 1932 (USMA) 33 (1908–2000)
73 Charles H. Bonesteel III GEN Bonesteel, Charles H III.jpg 01 Sep 1966   3 1931 (USMA) 35 (1909–1977)
74 Theodore J. Conway TJConwayJuly1966SM.jpg 01 Nov 1966  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Strike Command/U.S. Commander in Chief, Middle East, Africa south of the Sahara, and South Asia (USCINCSTRIKE/USCINCMEAFSA), 1966–1969.
 3 1933 (USMA) 33 (1909–1990)
75 James H. Polk James Hilliard Polk.PNG 31 May 1967  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1967–1971.
 4 1933 (USMA) 34 (1911–1992) Distant cousin of U.S. President James K. Polk.
76 Ralph E. Haines Jr. Ralph Edward Haines Jr USARPAC.jpg 01 Jun 1967   6 1935 (USMA) 32 (1913–2011)
77 James K. Woolnough Woolnough.jpg 01 Jul 1967   3 1932 (USMA) 35 (1910–1996)
78 Andrew Goodpaster Andrew Goodpaster portrait.jpg 03 Jul 1968   6 1939 (USMA) 29 (1915–2005) [28] Staff Secretary/Defense Liaison Officer to the President, 1954–1961; Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1977–1981; President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 1983–1985. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1961 and 1984.
79 Ben Harrell Ben Harrell.jpg 04 Jul 1968  
  • Commander, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe (COMLANDSOUTHEAST), 1968–1971.
 3 1933 (USMA) 35 (1911–1981)
80 Berton E. Spivy Jr. Berton E Spivy.jpg 31 Jul 1968   3 1934 (USMA) 34 (1911–1997)
81 Bruce Palmer Jr. GEN Bruce Palmer.jpg 01 Aug 1968   6 1936 (USMA) 32 (1913–2000)
82 George R. Mather Gen George R Mather.jpg 01 Mar 1969  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1969–1971.
 2 1932 (USMA) 37 (1911–1993)
83 Ferdinand J. Chesarek Ferdinand J. Chesarek portrait.jpg 10 Mar 1969  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1969–1970.
 1 1938 (USMA) 31 (1914–1993)
84 William B. Rosson William B Rosson.jpg 15 May 1969   6 1940 (ROTC) 29 (1918–2004)
85 John L. Throckmorton John L Throckmorton.jpg 01 Aug 1969  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Strike Command/U.S. Commander in Chief, Middle East, Africa south of the Sahara, and South Asia (USCINCSTRIKE/USCINCMEAFSA), 1969–1972.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED), 1972–1973.
 4 1935 (USMA) 34 (1913–1986)
86 John H. Michaelis John H Michaelis.jpg 01 Oct 1969   3 1936 (USMA) 33 (1912–1985)
87 Lewis Blaine Hershey L. B. Hershey 111-P-200365.jpg 23 Dec 1969  
  • Presidential Advisor on Manpower Mobilization, 1970–1973.
 4 1913 (ARNG) 56 (1893–1977) [29] Director, Selective Service System, 1941–1970.
88 Frederick C. Weyand Frederick Carlton Weyand.jpg 31 Oct 1970   6 1938 (ROTC) 32 (1916–2010)
89 Henry A. Miley Jr. Henry A Miley.jpg 01 Nov 1970  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1970–1975.
 5 1940 (USMA) 30 (1915–2010)
90 Frank T. Mildren Frank Thomas Mildren.jpg 01 Apr 1971  
  • Commander, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe (COMLANDSOUTHEAST), 1971–1973.
 2 1939 (USMA) 32 (1913–1990)
91 Michael S. Davison Michael S Davison.jpg 26 May 1971  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1971–1975.
 4 1939 (USMA) 32 (1917–2006) Aunt married Navy four-star admiral Arthur W. Radford.
92 George V. Underwood Jr. GEN Underwood, George V Jr cropped.jpg 01 Oct 1971  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1971–1973.
 2 1937 (USMA) 34 (1913–1984)
93 Donald V. Bennett Donald Vivian Bennett.jpg 01 Sep 1972   2 1940 (USMA) 32 (1915–2005) Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1966–1969; Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, 1969–1972.
94 Alexander Haig General Alexander M. Haig, Jr.jpg Jan 1973   5 1947 (USMA) 26 (1924–2010) Deputy National Security Advisor, 1970–1973; U.S. Secretary of State, 1981–1982; candidate for Republican Party nomination for U.S. President, 1988.
95 Walter T. Kerwin Jr. WalterKerwin.JPG 01 Feb 1973   5 1939 (USMA) 34 (1917–2008) Married widow of Marine Corps four-star general Keith B. McCutcheon.
96 William E. DePuy William E DuPuy.jpg 01 Jul 1973  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1973–1977.
 4 1941 (ROTC) 32 (1919–1992)
97 Richard G. Stilwell Richard G Stilwell.jpg 31 Jul 1973   3 1938 (USMA) 35 (1917–1991) U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, 1981–1985.
98 Melvin Zais Melvin Zais.jpeg 01 Aug 1973  
  • Commander, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe (COMLANDSOUTHEAST), 1973–1976.
 3 1937 (ROTC) 36 (1916–1981)
99 Bernard W. Rogers Bernard W. Rogers.jpg 07 Nov 1974  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1974–1976.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (CSA), 1976–1979.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 1979–1987.
 13 1943 (USMA) 31 (1921–2008)
100 John J. Hennessey John J Hennessey.jpg 08 Nov 1974  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED), 1974–1979.
 5 1944 (USMA) 30 (1921–2001)
101 John R. Deane Jr. John R Deane.jpg 12 Feb 1975  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1975–1976.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Development and Readiness Command (CG DARCOM), 1976–1977.
 2 1942 (USMA) 33 (1919–2013)
102 George S. Blanchard George S Blanchard.jpg 01 Jul 1975  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1975–1979.
 4 1944 (USMA) 31 (1920–2006)
103 William A. Knowlton William A Knowlton.jpg 01 Jun 1976  
  • Commander, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe (COMLANDSOUTHEAST), 1976–1977.
  • U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1977–1980.
 4 1943 (USMA) 33 (1920–2008) Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, 1970–1974. Father-in-law of Army four-star general David H. Petraeus.
104 Frederick Kroesen Frederick Kroesen VCSA.JPG 01 Oct 1976  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1976–1978.
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1978–1979.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1979–1983.
 7 1943 (OCS) 33 (1923–2020)
105 John William Vessey Jr. Gen John Vessey Jr.JPG 01 Nov 1976   9 1944 (battlefield) 32 (1922–2016) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1992.
106 Donn A. Starry Donn A Starry.jpg 01 Jul 1977  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1977–1981.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED), 1981–1983.
 6 1948 (USMA) 29 (1925–2011)
107 Sam S. Walker Gen. Sam Sims Walker.jpg 1977  
  • Commander, Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe (COMLANDSOUTHEAST), 1977–1978.
 1 1946 (USMA) 31 (1925–2015) Superintendent, Virginia Military Institute, 1981–1988. Son of Army four-star general Walton H. Walker.
108 John R. Guthrie John Reiley Guthrie.jpg 01 May 1977  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Development and Readiness Command (CG DARCOM), 1977–1981.
 4 1942 (ROTC) 35 (1921–2009)
109 Robert M. Shoemaker General Robert M Shoemaker, CG FORSCOM Official portrait.jpg 22 Aug 1978  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1978–1982.
 4 1946 (USMA) 32 (1924–2017)
110 Edward C. Meyer GEN Meyer, Edward C USA.JPEG 22 Jun 1979   4 1951 (USMA) 28 (1928–2020)
111 John A. Wickham Jr. General John Wickham, official military photo 1988.JPEG 10 Jul 1979   8 1950 (USMA) 29 (1928–       )
112 Volney F. Warner GEN Warner, Volney F.jpg 01 Aug 1979  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED), 1979–1981.
 2 1950 (USMA) 29 (1926–2019)
113 Glenn K. Otis Glenn Otis.jpg 01 Aug 1981  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1981–1983.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1983–1988.
 7 1953 (USMA) 28 (1929–2013)
114 Donald R. Keith Donald R Keith.jpg 01 Sep 1981  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Development and Readiness Command (CG DARCOM), 1981–1984.
 3 1949 (USMA) 32 (1927–2004)
115 Richard E. Cavazos GEN CAVAZOS.jpg 19 Feb 1982  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1982–1984.
 2 1951 (ROTC) 31 (1929–2017)
116 Robert W. Sennewald GEN Sennewald, Robert William.jpg 24 May 1982  
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea/Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK/CG EUSA), 1982–1984.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1984–1986.
 4 1951 (ROTC) 31 (1929–       )
117 Roscoe Robinson Jr. Roscoe Robinson2.jpg 30 Aug 1982   3 1951 (USMA) 31 (1928–1993) First African-American to achieve the rank of general in the Army.
118 William R. Richardson Official Military Portrait of General William R. Richardson 1984.jpg 28 Feb 1983  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1983–1986.
 3 1951 (USMA) 32 (1929–       )
119 Paul F. Gorman GEN Gorman, Paul Francis cropped.jpg 25 May 1983  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1983–1985.
 2 1950 (USMA) 33 (1927–       )
120 Wallace H. Nutting Wallace H. Nutting, official military photo portrait, 1983.JPEG 25 May 1983  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED), 1983–1985.
 2 1950 (USMA) 33 (1928–       )
121 Maxwell R. Thurman Maxwell R Thurman.jpg 23 Jun 1983  
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1983–1987.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1987–1989.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1989–1990.
 7 1953 (ROTC) 30 (1931–1995)
122 William J. Livsey William J Livsey.jpg 03 May 1984  
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea/Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK/CG EUSA), 1984–1987.
 3 1952 (ROTC) 32 (1931–2016)
123 Richard Horner Thompson Richard H Thompson.jpg 29 Jun 1984  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Development and Readiness Command (CG DARCOM), 1984.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1984–1987.
 3 1950 (direct) 34 (1926–2016)
124 Robert Kingston General Robert Kingston, official military photo, 1984.JPEG 06 Nov 1984  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command (USCINCCENT), 1983–1985.
 1 1949 (OCS) 35 (1928–2007)
125 John R. Galvin John Galvin, official military photo, 1991.JPEG 25 Feb 1985  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1985–1987.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 1987–1992.
 7 1954 (USMA) 31 (1929–2015) U.S. Special Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1994.
126 Fred K. Mahaffey General Fred K. Mahaffey.jpg 17 Jun 1985  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED), 1985–1986.
 1 1955 (ROTC) 30 (1934–1986) Died in office.
127 Jack N. Merritt Jack N. Merritt, official military photo portrait, 1985.JPEG 01 Dec 1985   2 1953 (OCS) 32 (1930–2018)
128 Carl E. Vuono General Carl Vuono, official military portrait 1987.JPEG 01 Jul 1986  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1986–1987.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (CSA), 1987–1991.
 5 1957 (USMA) 29 (1934–       )
129 Joseph T. Palastra Jr. Joseph Thomas Palastra JR.jpg 01 Jul 1986  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1986–1987.
  • Commander in Chief, Forces Command (CINCFOR), 1987–1989.
 3 1954 (USMA) 32 (1931–2015)
130 James J. Lindsay GEN James Lindsay 1986.jpg 10 Oct 1986  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Readiness Command (USCINCRED), 1986–1987.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command (USCINCSOC), 1987–1990.
 4 1953 (OCS) 33 (1932–       )
131 Louis C. Wagner Jr. Louis Carson Wagner.jpg 13 Apr 1987  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1987–1989.
 2 1954 (USMA) 33 (1932–       )
132 Frederick F. Woerner Jr. Frederick Woerner.jpg 06 Jun 1987  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1987–1989.
 2 1955 (USMA) 32 (1933–       ) Relieved, 1989.
133 Arthur E. Brown Jr. Arthur E Brown.jpg 24 Jun 1987   2 1953 (USMA) 34 (1929–       )
134 Louis C. Menetrey Louis C. Menetrey DA-SC-83-08758.JPG 24 Jun 1987  
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea/Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK/CG EUSA), 1987–1990.
 3 1953 (ROTC) 34 (1929–2009)
135 Crosbie E. Saint General Crosbie E Saint.jpg 24 Jun 1988  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1988–1992.
 4 1958 (USMA) 30 (1936–2018)
136 Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. NormanSchwarzkopf.jpg 23 Nov 1988  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command (USCINCCENT), 1988–1991.
 3 1956 (USMA) 32 (1934–2012)[30] Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1991; Congressional Gold Medal, 1991.
137 Robert W. RisCassi Robert RisCassi 4 Star Photo.jpg 17 Jan 1989  
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1989–1990.
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea/Commanding General, Eighth U.S. Army (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK/CG EUSA), 1990–1992.
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK), 1992–1993.
 4 1958 (ROTC) 31 (1936–       )
138 Colin Powell GEN Colin Powell.JPG 04 Apr 1989   4 1958 (ROTC) 31 (1937–       ) Deputy National Security Advisor, 1987; National Security Advisor, 1987–1989; U.S. Secretary of State, 2001–2005. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1991; Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1991 and, with distinction, 1993.
139 John W. Foss John W Foss.jpg 02 Aug 1989  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1989–1991.
 2 1956 (USMA) 33 (1933–2020)
140 Edwin H. Burba Jr. Edwin Burba.jpg 27 Sep 1989  
  • Commander in Chief, Forces Command (CINCFOR), 1989–1993.
 4 1959 (USMA) 30 (1936–       )
141 William G. T. Tuttle Jr. William G T Tuttle.jpg 01 Oct 1989  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1989–1992.
 3 1958 (USMA) 31 (1935–2020)
142 Gordon R. Sullivan General Gordon Sullivan, official military photo 1992.JPEG 04 Jun 1990   5 1959 (Norwich) 31 (1937–       )
143 Carl Stiner Carl W Stiner.jpg 01 Jul 1990  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command (USCINCSOC), 1990–1993.
 3 1958 (ROTC) 32 (1936–       )
144 George Joulwan George Joulwan, official military photo, 1991.JPEG 21 Nov 1990  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1990–1993.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 1993–1997.
 7 1961 (USMA) 29 (1939–       )
145 Dennis Reimer Reimer chief of staff.JPEG 21 Jun 1991   8 1962 (USMA) 29 (1939–       )
146 Frederick M. Franks Jr. Frederick m franks.jpg 23 Aug 1991  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1991–1994.
 3 1959 (USMA) 32 (1936–       )
147 Jimmy D. Ross JimmyRoss.jpeg 01 Feb 1992  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1992–1994.
 2 1958 (ROTC) 34 (1936–2012)
148 John Shalikashvili General John Shalikashvili military portrait, 1993.JPEG 24 Jun 1992  
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 1992–1993.
  • Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 1993–1997.
 5 1959 (OCS) 33 (1936–2011) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1997.
149 David M. Maddox David M Maddox.jpg 09 Jul 1992  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG), 1992–1993.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army (CINCUSAREUR), 1993–1994.
 2 1960 (VMI) 32 (1938–       )
150 J. H. Binford Peay III BinfordPeay.JPEG 26 Mar 1993   4 1962 (VMI) 31 (1940–       ) Superintendent, Virginia Military Institute, 2003–2020.
151 Wayne A. Downing Wayne Downing.jpg 20 May 1993  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command (USCINCSOC), 1993–1996.
 3 1962 (USMA) 31 (1940–2007) Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism, 2001–2002.
152 Gary E. Luck General Gary Edward Luck.JPEG 01 Jul 1993  
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK), 1993–1996.
 3 1960 (ROTC) 33 (1937–       )
153 Leon E. Salomon Leon E Salomon.jpg 11 Feb 1994  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1994–1996.
 2 1959 (OCS) 35 (1936–       )
154 Barry R. McCaffrey Barry McCaffrey.jpg 17 Feb 1994  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1994–1996.
 2 1964 (USMA) 30 (1942–       ) Director, National Drug Control Policy, 1996–2001.
155 John H. Tilelli Jr. John H. Tilelli (USFK).jpg 19 Jul 1994  
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1994–1995.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1995–1996.
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK), 1996–1999.
 5 1963 (PMC) [31] 31 (1941–       )
156 William W. Hartzog William Hartzog.JPEG 01 Dec 1994  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1994–1998.
 4 1963 (Citadel) 31 (1941–2020)
157 William W. Crouch William W Crouch.jpg 01 Jan 1995  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army (CINCUSAREUR), 1994–1996.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Allied Land Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAREUR/COMLANDCENT), 1996–1997.
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1997–1998.
 3 1963 (ROTC) 32 (1941–       )
158 Ronald H. Griffith Ronald H Grffith.jpg 06 Jun 1995   2 1960 (ROTC) 35 (1936–2018)
159 Henry Shelton General Henry Shelton, official portrait 2.jpg 01 Mar 1996   5 1964 (ROTC) 32 (1942–       ) Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 2002.
160 Johnnie E. Wilson Johnnie E. Wilson.JPEG 01 May 1996  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1996–1999.
 3 1967 (OCS) 29 (1944–       )
161 Wesley Clark General Wesley Clark official photograph, edited.jpg 21 Jun 1996  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command (USCINCSO), 1996–1997.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 1997–2000.
 4 1966 (USMA) 30 (1944–       ) Candidate for Democratic Party nomination for U.S. President, 2004. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2000.
162 David A. Bramlett DavidBramlett.jpg 01 Sep 1996  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1996–1998.
 2 1964 (USMA) 32 (1941–       )
163 Eric Shinseki EricShinseki.jpg 05 Aug 1997  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army/Commander, Allied Land Forces Central Europe (CG USAREUR/COMLANDCENT), 1997–1998.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army (CG USAREUR), 1998.
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 1998–1999.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (CSA), 1999–2003.
 6 1965 (USMA) 32 (1942–       ) U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 2009–2014[32]
164 Peter Schoomaker Peter Schoomaker.jpg 04 Oct 1997   7 1969 (ROTC) 28 (1946–       ) [33] Brother of former Army Surgeon General, Eric Schoomaker
165 Thomas A. Schwartz General Thomas A. Schwartz (1998).jpg 31 Aug 1998  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1998–1999.
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK), 1999–2002.
 4 1967 (USMA) 31 (1945–       )
166 John N. Abrams John Abrams.JPG 14 Sep 1998  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 1998–2002.
 4 1968 (OCS) 30 (1946–2018) Son of Army four-star general Creighton Abrams and brother of Army four-star general Robert B. Abrams.
167 Montgomery C. Meigs Montgomery Meigs.jpg 10 Nov 1998  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army (CG USAREUR), 1998–2002.
 4 1967 (USMA) 31 (1945–2021) Director, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, 2005–2007. Distant cousin of Navy four-star admiral Montgomery M. Taylor and great-great-great grandnephew of Montgomery C. Meigs.
168 Jack Keane Jack Keane.jpg 22 Jan 1999   4 1966 (ROTC) 33 (1943–       ) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2020.
169 John G. Coburn John G Coburn.jpg 14 May 1999  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1999–2001.
 2 1963 (ROTC) 36 (1941–       )
170 John W. Hendrix GEN HENDRIX.JPG 23 Nov 1999  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 1999–2001.
 2 1965 (ROTC) 34 (1942–       )
171 William F. Kernan William F Kernan.jpg Jul 2000  
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic/Commander in Chief, U.S. Joint Forces Command (SACLANT/CINCUSJFCOM), 2000–2002.
 2 1968 (OCS) 32 (1946–       )
172 Tommy Franks Gen. Tommy Franks CENTCOM.jpg 06 Jul 2000  
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command (USCINCCENT), 2000–2002.
  • Commander, U.S. Central Command (CDRUSCENTCOM), 2002–2003.
 3 1967 (OCS) 33 (1945–       ) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2004.
173 Paul J. Kern PaulKern.jpg 30 Oct 2001  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 2001–2004.
 3 1967 (USMA) 34 (1945–       )
174 Larry R. Ellis Larry R Ellis.jpg 19 Nov 2001  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 2001–2004.
 3 1969 (ROTC) 32 (1946–       )
175 Leon J. LaPorte Gen. Leon J. LaPorte (USFK).jpg 01 May 2002  
  • Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK), 2002.
  • Commander, United Nations Command/Commander, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CDRUNC/CDRCFC/COMUSFK), 2002–2006.
 4 1968 (ROTC) 34 (1946–       )
176 James T. Hill James T Hill.jpg 18 Aug 2002  
  • Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command (USCINCSO), 2002.
  • Commander, U.S. Southern Command (CDRUSSOUTHCOM), 2002–2004.
 2 1968 (ROTC) 34 (1946–       )
177 Kevin P. Byrnes KevinByrnes.gif 07 Nov 2002  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 2002–2005.
 3 1969 (OCS) 33 (1950–       ) [34] Relieved, 2005.
178 Burwell B. Bell III Bell Final Mil Pic.JPG 03 Dec 2002  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army (CG USAREUR), 2002–2005.
  • Commander, United Nations Command/Commander, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CDRUNC/CDRCFC/COMUSFK), 2006–2008.
 6 1969 (ROTC) 33 (1947–       )
179 John P. Abizaid Gen. John P. Abizaid CENTCOM.jpg 27 Jun 2003  
  • Commander, U.S. Central Command (CDRUSCENTCOM), 2003–2007.
 4 1973 (USMA) 30 (1951–       ) U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 2019–2021.
180 Bryan D. Brown GEN Bryan Brown official portrait.jpg 25 Aug 2003  
  • Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (CDRUSSOCOM), 2003–2007.
 4 1970 (OCS) 33 (1948–       )
181 George W. Casey Jr. George W. Casey 2007.jpg 01 Dec 2003   8 1970 (ROTC) 33 (1948–       )
182 Richard A. Cody Richard A Cody.jpg 24 Jun 2004   4 1972 (USMA) 32 (1950–       )
183 Dan K. McNeill Dan K. McNeill.jpg 01 Jul 2004  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 2004–2007.
  • Commander, International Security Assistance Force (CDRISAF), 2007–2008.
 4 1968 (ROTC) 36 (1946–       )
184 Benjamin S. Griffin Benjamin Griffin.jpg 05 Nov 2004  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 2004–2008.
 4 1970 (OCS) 34 (1946–       )
185 Bantz J. Craddock Bantz J. Craddock EUCOM.jpg 01 Jan 2005  
  • Commander, U.S. Southern Command (CDRUSSOUTHCOM), 2004–2006.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/CDRUSEUCOM), 2006–2009.
 4 1971 (ROTC) 33 (1949–       )
186 William S. Wallace William S. Wallace.jpg 13 Oct 2005  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 2005–2008.
 3 1969 (USMA) 36 (1946–       )
187 David D. McKiernan David D. McKiernan.jpg 14 Dec 2005  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army (CG USAREUR), 2005–2008.
  • Commander, International Security Assistance Force (CDRISAF), 2008.
  • Commander, International Security Assistance Force/Commander, U.S. Forces - Afghanistan (CDRISAF/CDRUSFOR-A), 2008–2009.
 4 1972 (ROTC) 33 (1950–       ) Resigned, 2009.
188 William E. Ward General Kip Ward November 2009.jpg 03 May 2006  
  • Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (DCDRUSEUCOM), 2006–2007.
  • Commander, U.S. Africa Command (CDRUSAFRICOM), 2007–2011.
 5 1971 (ROTC) 35 (1949–       ) U.S. Security Coordinator, Israel-Palestinian Authority, 2005. Demoted to three-star rank in retirement for lavish travel spending.
189 Charles C. Campbell Charles C Campbell.jpg 09 Jan 2007  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 2007–2010.
 3 1970 (ROTC) 37 (1948–2016)
190 David Petraeus GEN Petraeus Class A.jpg 10 Feb 2007  
  • Commanding General, Multi-National Force - Iraq (CG MNF-I), 2007–2008.
  • Commander, U.S. Central Command (CDRUSCENTCOM), 2008–2010.
  • Commander, International Security Assistance Force/Commander, U.S. Forces - Afghanistan (CDRISAF/CDRUSFOR-A), 2010–2011.
 4 1974 (USMA) 33 (1952–       ) Director, Central Intelligence Agency, 2011–2012. Son-in-law of Army four-star general William A. Knowlton.
191 Walter L. Sharp Walter L Sharp Official Portrait.jpg 02 Jun 2008  
  • Commander, United Nations Command/Commander, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CDRUNC/CDRCFC/CDRUSFK), 2008–2011.
 3 1974 (USMA) 34 (1952–       )
192 Peter W. Chiarelli GEN Peter W Chiarelli.jpg 04 Aug 2008   4 1972 (ROTC) 36 (1950–       )
193 Carter F. Ham GEN Carter F.Ham 2011.jpg 28 Aug 2008  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army (CG USAREUR), 2008–2011.
  • Commander, U.S. Africa Command (CDRUSAFRICOM), 2011–2013.
 5 1976 (ROTC) 32 (1952–       )
194 Raymond T. Odierno Odierno Raymond CSA ASU.jpg 16 Sep 2008  
  • Commanding General, Multi-National Force - Iraq (CG MNF-I), 2008–2009.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Forces - Iraq (CG USF-I), 2010.
  • Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command (CDRUSJFCOM), 2010–2011.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (CSA), 2011–2015.
 7 1976 (USMA) 32 (1954–       ) [35]
195 Ann E. Dunwoody Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody.jpg 14 Nov 2008  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 2008–2012.
 4 1975 (direct) 33 (1953–       ) First woman to achieve four-star rank in any service.
196 Martin E. Dempsey General Martin E. Dempsey, CJCS, official portrait 2012.jpg 08 Dec 2008   7 1974 (USMA) 34 (1952–       )
197 Stanley A. McChrystal Gen. Stanley McChrystal USFOR-Y.jpg 15 Jun 2009  
  • Commander, International Security Assistance Force/Commander, U.S. Forces - Afghanistan (CDRISAF/CDRUSFOR-A), 2009–2010.
 1 1976 (USMA) 33 (1954–       ) Resigned, 2010.
198 Keith B. Alexander General Keith B. Alexander in service uniform.jpg 21 May 2010   4 1974 (USMA) 36 (1952–       ) Director, National Security Agency, 2005–2014.
199 James D. Thurman Cmd genthurmand official.jpg 03 Jun 2010  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 2010–2011.
  • Commander, United Nations Command/Commander, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CDRUNC/CDRCFC/CDRUSFK), 2011–2013.
 3 1975 (ROTC) 35 (1953–       )
200 Lloyd J. Austin III Austin 2013 2.jpg 01 Sep 2010  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Forces - Iraq (CG USF-I), 2010–2011.
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 2012–2013.
  • Commander, U.S. Central Command (CDRUSCENTCOM), 2013–2016.
 6 1975 (USMA) 35 (1953–       ) U.S. Secretary of Defense, 2021–present.
201 Robert W. Cone General Robert W. Cone.jpg 29 Apr 2011  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 2011–2014.
 3 1979 (USMA) 32 (1957–2016)
202 Charles H. Jacoby Jr. General Charles H. Jacoby Jr.jpg 03 Aug 2011  
  • Commander, U.S. Northern Command/Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (CDRUSNORTHCOM/CDRNORAD), 2011–2014.
 3 1978 (USMA) 33 (1954–       ) First Army officer to command USNORTHCOM.
203 David M. Rodriguez General David M Rodriguez USAFRICOM.jpg 12 Sep 2011  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 2011–2013.
  • Commander, U.S. Africa Command (CDRUSAFRICOM), 2013–2016.
 5 1976 (USMA) 35 (1954–       )
204 Dennis L. Via General Dennis L. Via, USA.jpg 07 Aug 2012  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 2012–2016.
 4 1980 (ROTC) 32 (1958–       )
205 Frank J. Grass General Frank J. Grass JCS.jpg 07 Sep 2012   4 1981 (OCS) 31 (1951–       ) Served 12 years in the enlisted ranks before receiving his commission in 1981. First Army National Guard officer to achieve the rank of general.
206 John F. Campbell Campbell 2013 2.jpg 08 Mar 2013  
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA), 2013–2014.
  • Commander, International Security Assistance Force/Commander, U.S. Forces - Afghanistan (CDRISAF/CDRUSFOR-A), 2014–2015.
  • Commander, Resolute Support Mission/Commander, U.S. Forces - Afghanistan (CDRRS/CDRUSFOR-A), 2015–2016.
 3 1979 (USMA) 34 (1957–       )
207 Daniel B. Allyn Gen. Allyn 2014 2.jpg 10 May 2013   4 1981 (USMA) 32 (1959–       )
208 Vincent K. Brooks Brooks 2016.jpeg 02 Jul 2013  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific (CG USARPAC), 2013–2016.
  • Commander, United Nations Command/Commander, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CDRUNC/CDRCFC/COMUSFK), 2016–2018.
 5 1980 (USMA) 33 (1958–       )
209 Curtis M. Scaparrotti Scaparrotti EUCOM.jpg 02 Oct 2013  
  • Commander, United Nations Command/Commander, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CDRUNC/CDRCFC/COMUSFK), 2013–2016.
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/CDRUSEUCOM), 2016–2019.
 6 1978 (USMA) 35 (1956–       )
210 David G. Perkins General David G. Perkins in ASUs (TRADOC).jpg 14 Mar 2014  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (CG TRADOC), 2014–2015.
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command/Chancellor, Army University (CG TRADOC/Ch. ArmyU), 2015-2018.
 4 1980 (USMA) 34 (1957–       )
211 Mark A. Milley General Mark A. Milley.jpg 15 Aug 2014   7 1980 (ROTC) 34 (1958–       )
212 Joseph L. Votel General Joseph L. Votel (USCENTCOM).jpg 28 Aug 2014  
  • Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (CDRUSSOCOM), 2014–2016.
  • Commander, U.S. Central Command (CDRUSCENTCOM), 2016–2019.
 5 1980 (USMA) 34 (1958–       )
213 Robert B. Abrams Gen. Robert B. Abrams.jpg 10 Aug 2015  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 2015–2018.
  • Commander, United Nations Command/Commander, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CDRUNC/CDRCFC/COMUSFK), 2018–2021.
 6 1982 (USMA) 33 (1960–       ) Son of Army four-star general Creighton Abrams and brother of Army four-star general John N. Abrams.
214 John W. Nicholson Jr. General John W. Nicholson, Jr. (cropped).jpg 02 Mar 2016   2 1982 (USMA) 34 (1957–       )
215 Raymond A. Thomas III General Raymond A. Thomas III (USSOCOM).jpg 30 Mar 2016  
  • Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (CDRUSSOCOM), 2016–2019.
 3 1980 (USMA) 36 (1958–       )
216 Robert B. Brown Robert Brooks Brown Sep 2019.jpg 30 Apr 2016   3 1981 (USMA) 35 (1959–       )
217 Gustave F. Perna Perna CG AMC 2016.jpg 30 Sep 2016  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 2016–2020.
  • Chief Operating Officer, Operation Warp Speed (COO OWS), 2020–2021.
  • Chief Operating Officer, COVID-19 Response for Vaccine and Therapeutics (COO COVID-19 Response), 2021.
 5 1981 (VFMAC) 35 (1960–       )
218 James C. McConville McConville as CSA.jpg 16 Jun 2017   4 1981 (USMA) 36 (1959–       )
219 Stephen J. Townsend Townsend Africom.jpg 02 Mar 2018  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command/Chancellor, Army University (CG TRADOC/Ch. ArmyU), 2018–2019.
  • Commander, U.S. Africa Command (CDRUSAFRICOM), 2019–present.
 3 1982 (NGCSU) 36 (1959–       )
220 Paul M. Nakasone General Paul M. Nakasone (NSA).jpg 04 May 2018   3 1986 (ROTC) 32 (1963–       )
221 Stephen R. Lyons Gen. Stephen R. Lyons.jpg 24 Aug 2018   3 1983 (ROTC) 35 (c. 1962–       )
222 John M. Murray Gen. John M. Murray.jpg 24 Aug 2018  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Futures Command (CG AFC), 2018–present.
 3 1982 (ROTC) 36 (c. 1960–       )
223 Austin S. Miller General Austin S. Miller.jpg 02 Sep 2018   3 1983 (USMA) 35 (1961–       )
224 Michael X. Garrett Gen. Michael X. Garrett (2).jpg 21 Mar 2019  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (CG FORSCOM), 2019–present.
 2 1984 (ROTC) 35 (1961–       )
225 Richard D. Clarke Clarke USSOCOM.jpg 29 Mar 2019  
  • Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (CDRUSSOCOM), 2019–present.
 2 1984 (USMA) 35 (1962–       )
226 Paul E. Funk II Funk II TRADOC.jpg 21 Jun 2019  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command/Chancellor, Army University (CG TRADOC/Ch. ArmyU), 2019–present.
 2 1984 (ROTC) 35 (1962–       ) Son of Army lieutenant general Paul E. Funk.
227 Joseph M. Martin Gen Joseph M Martin 37th VCSA (1).jpg 26 Jul 2019   2 1986 (USMA) 33 (1962–       )
228 Paul J. LaCamera GEN Paul J. LaCamera USFK.jpg 18 Nov 2019  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific (CG USARPAC), 2019–2021.
  • Commander, United Nations Command/Commander, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Forces Korea (CDRUNC/CDRCFC/COMUSFK), 2021–present.
 2 1985 (USMA) 34 (1963–       )
229 Edward M. Daly GEN Daly2.jpg 02 Jul 2020  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command (CG AMC), 2020–present.
 1 1987 (USMA) 33 (1965–       )
230 Daniel R. Hokanson GEN Daniel R. Hokanson.jpg 03 Aug 2020   1 1986 (USMA) 34 (1963–       )
231 James H. Dickinson Gen. James H. Dickinson.jpg 20 Aug 2020  
  • Commander, United States Space Command (CDRUSSPACECOM), 2020–present.
 1 1985 (ROTC) 35 (c. 1962–       )
232 Christopher G. Cavoli Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli (2).jpg 01 Oct 2020  
  • Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa (CG USAREUR-AF), 2020–present.
 1 1987 (ROTC) 33 (c. 1965–       )
233 Charles A. Flynn Gen. Charles A. Flynn (1).jpg 04 Jun 2021   0 1985 (ROTC) 36 (c. 1963–       ) Brother of former National Security Advisor, Michael T. Flynn.
234 Laura J. Richardson Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson (6).jpg 29 Oct 2021  
  • Commander, U.S. Southern Command (CDRUSSOUTHCOM), 2021–present.
 0 1986 (ROTC) 35 (1963–       ) Second woman to be a combatant commander and second female Army general promoted to four-star rank.

Timeline[]

1775–1799[]

In 1775, George Washington was appointed "General and Commander in Chief of the United Colonies" and all its forces. Although Washington ranked as a full general in the Continental Army, he resigned his commission prior to the establishment of the U.S. Army in 1784 and he is therefore considered never to have held the U.S. Army rank of general.[36] In 1798, Washington was commissioned lieutenant general in the U.S. Army and appointed Commander in Chief of the armies of the United States. The following year, Congress created the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, but Washington died before accepting it and the rank lapsed until 1866.[37] Washington was finally promoted to General of the Armies in 1976.

George Washington

1866–1941[]

The rank flag of General of the Armies John J. Pershing, presented to him in 1922.

The grade of General of the Armies of the United States was revived in 1866, under the name "General of the Army of the United States" to honor the Civil War achievements of Ulysses S. Grant, the commanding general of the U.S. Army (CGUSA).[38] When Grant resigned his commission to become President in 1869, William T. Sherman was promoted to fill the vacant grade. Congress specified in 1870 that the rank would expire upon Sherman's retirement, but made an exception in 1888 to promote an ailing Philip H. Sheridan. This title is not to be confused with the later five-star rank of General of the Army.[39]

In 1917, the rank of general was recreated in the National Army, a temporary force of conscripts and volunteers authorized for the duration of the World War I emergency. To give American commanders parity of rank with their Allied counterparts, Congress allowed the President to appoint two emergency generals in the National Army, specified to be the chief of staff of the Army (CSA), Tasker H. Bliss and later Peyton C. March; and the commander of United States forces in France, John J. Pershing.[40] When March replaced Bliss as chief of staff, Bliss was continued in four-star rank by brevet as the U.S. military representative to the Supreme War Council.[41] In contrast to the previous grade of general held by Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan, which was a permanent promotion, this new rank was a temporary appointment that was lost when the officer vacated the position bearing that rank, and while Pershing was ultimately advanced to General of the Armies in 1919, March and Bliss reverted to their permanent grades of major general in the Regular Army when the National Army disbanded in 1920.[42]

In 1929, the temporary rank of general in the Regular Army was reauthorized for the office of chief of staff, whose occupant reverted to major general at the end of his term but was allowed to retire as a full general. When the draft force was reconstituted for World War II as the Army of the United States in 1941, the President was authorized to appoint as many temporary generals in that organization as he deemed necessary. As with the National Army emergency generals, these appointments expired after the end of the war, although postwar legislation allowed officers to retire in their highest active-duty rank.[43]

George MarshallMalin CraigDouglas MacArthurCharles P. SummerallPeyton C. MarchJohn J. PershingTasker H. BlissPhilip H. SheridanWilliam T. ShermanUlysses S. Grant

1947–present[]

Army Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody smiles during her promotion to general. She was pinned by Chief of Staff of the Army General George W. Casey (left) and her husband Craig Brotchie during her ceremony November 14, 2008 at the Pentagon.

The modern rank of general was established by the Officer Personnel Act of 1947, which authorized the President to designate certain positions of importance to carry that rank. Officers appointed to such positions bear temporary four-star rank while so serving, and are allowed to retire at that rank if their performance is judged satisfactory.[44] The total number of active-duty four-star generals in the Army is limited to a fixed percentage of the number of Army general officers serving at all ranks.[45]

Within the Army, the chief of staff (CSA) and vice chief of staff (VCSA) are four-star generals by statute. Since World War II, the commanders of the Army formations in Europe (USAREUR) and East Asia (FECOM/USFK) have been designated four-star generals by reason of importance. Other designated four-star Army commands have included the various training, readiness, and materiel organizations.

The Army also competes with the other services for a number of joint four-star positions, the most prestigious[citation needed] of which are the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the NATO supreme allied commander in Europe (SACEUR). Other joint four-star positions have included unified combatant commanders; certain NATO staff positions; and the wartime theater commanders in Vietnam (MACV), Iraq (MNF-I), and Afghanistan (ISAF/RS).

Donald V. BennettGeorge V. Underwood Jr.Michael S. DavisonFrank T. MildrenHenry A. Miley Jr.Frederick C. WeyandLewis B. HersheyJohn H. MichaelisJohn L. ThrockmortonWilliam B. RossonFerdinand J. ChesarekGeorge R. MatherBruce Palmer Jr.Berton E. Spivy Jr.Ben HarrellAndrew J. GoodpasterJames K. WoolnoughRalph E. Haines Jr.James H. PolkTheodore J. ConwayCharles H. Bonesteel IIIDwight E. BeachRobert W. Porter Jr.Creighton W. Abrams Jr.William C. WestmorelandHarold K. JohnsonFrank S. Besson Jr.Hugh P. HarrisHamilton H. HowzeTheodore W. ParkerAndrew P. O'MearaJohn K. WatersRobert J. WoodPaul L. Freeman Jr.Barksdale HamlettEarle G. WheelerPaul D. HarkinsPaul D. AdamsGuy S. Meloy Jr.James F. CollinsHerbert B. PowellJames E. MooreClark L. RuffnerCharles D. PalmerCarter B. MagruderClyde D. EddlemanBruce C. ClarkeGeorge H. DeckerHenry I. HodesCortlandt V.R. SchuylerWillard G. WymanIsaac D. WhiteWilliston B. PalmerLyman L. LemnitzerAnthony C. McAuliffeJohn E. DahlquistWilliam M. Hoge Jr.Charles L. BolteMaxwell D. TaylorJohn R. HodgeAlfred M. GruentherJames Van FleetJohn E. HullWalter Bedell SmithMatthew B. RidgwayWade H. HaislipJ. Lawton CollinsLucius D. ClayJonathan M. Wainwright IVCourtney H. HodgesGeorge S. Patton Jr.Thomas T. HandyOmar N. BradleyCarl A. SpaatzMark W. ClarkGeorge C. KenneyJacob L. DeversJoseph T. McNarneyBrehon B. SomervellWalter KruegerJoseph W. StilwellHenry H. ArnoldDwight D. EisenhowerGeorge C. Marshall Jr.Malin CraigDouglas MacArthur
Laura J. RichardsonCharles A. FlynnChristopher G. CavoliJames H. DickinsonDaniel R. HokansonEdward M. DalyPaul LaCameraJoseph M. MartinPaul E. Funk IIRichard D. ClarkeMichael X. GarrettAustin S. MillerJohn M. MurrayStephen R. LyonsPaul M. NakasoneStephen J. TownsendJames C. McConvilleGustave F. PernaRobert Brooks BrownRaymond A. ThomasJohn W. Nicholson Jr.Robert B. AbramsJoseph VotelMark A. MilleyDavid G. PerkinsCurtis ScaparrottiVincent K. BrooksDaniel B. AllynJohn F. Campbell (general)Frank J. GrassDennis L. ViaDavid M. RodriguezCharles H. Jacoby Jr.Robert W. ConeLloyd AustinJames D. ThurmanKeith B. AlexanderStanley A. McChrystalMartin DempseyAnn E. DunwoodyRaymond T. OdiernoCarter HamPeter W. ChiarelliWalter L. SharpDavid H. PetraeusCharles C. Campbell (general)William E. WardDavid D. McKiernanWilliam S. WallaceBenjamin S. GriffinRichard A. CodyDan K. McNeillBantz J. CraddockGeorge W. Casey Jr.Bryan D. BrownJohn AbizaidBurwell B. Bell IIIJames T. HillLeon J. LaPorteKevin P. ByrnesLarry R. EllisPaul J. KernWilliam F. KernanTommy R. FranksJohn W. HendrixJohn G. CoburnJohn M. KeaneThomas A. SchwartzMontgomery Meigs (born 1945)John N. AbramsPeter J. SchoomakerEric K. ShinsekiDavid A. BramlettHenry H. SheltonWesley K. ClarkJohnnie E. WilsonRonald H. GriffithWilliam W. CrouchWilliam W. HartzogJohn H. Tilelli Jr.Barry R. McCaffreyLeon E. SalomonGary E. LuckWayne A. DowningJ. H. Binford Peay IIIDavid M. MaddoxJohn M.D. ShalikashviliJimmy D. RossDennis J. ReimerFrederick M. Franks Jr.George A. JoulwanCarl W. StinerGordon R. SullivanWilliam G.T. Tuttle Jr.Edwin H. Burba Jr.John W. FossColin L. PowellRobert W. RisCassiH. Norman SchwarzkopfCrosbie E. SaintArthur E. Brown Jr.Louis C. MenetreyFrederick F. Woerner Jr.Louis C. Wagner Jr.James J. LindsayJoseph T. Palastra Jr.Carl E. VuonoJack N. MerrittFred K. MahaffeyJohn Galvin (soldier)Robert C. KingstonRichard H. ThompsonWilliam J. LivseyMaxwell R. ThurmanWallace H. NuttingPaul F. GormanWilliam R. Richardson (general)Roscoe Robinson Jr.Robert W. SennewaldRichard E. CavazosGlenn K. OtisDonald R. KeithVolney F. WarnerJohn A. Wickham Jr.Edward C. MeyerRobert M. ShoemakerSam S. WalkerDonn A. StarryJohn R. GuthrieJohn W. Vessey Jr.Frederick J. Kroesen Jr.William A. KnowltonGeorge S. BlanchardJohn R. Deane Jr.John J. HennesseyBernard W. RogersMelvin ZaisRichard G. StilwellWilliam E. DePuyWalter T. Kerwin Jr.Alexander M. Haig Jr.

Four-star positions[]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Dates of rank are taken, where available, from the U.S. Army register of active and retired commissioned officers, or from the World Almanac and Book of Facts. The date listed is that of the officer's first promotion to general.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Positions listed are those held by the officer when promoted to general. Dates listed are for the officer's full tenure, which may predate promotion to four-star rank or postdate retirement from active duty.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b The number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Date of rank" column from the last year in the "Position" column. Time spent between active-duty four-star assignments is not counted, nor is time spent on special duty as an unassigned general of the Army.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Sources of commission are listed in parentheses after the year of commission and include: the United States Military Academy (USMA); Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university; ROTC at a senior military college such as the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Norwich University (Norwich), Pennsylvania Military College (PMC), or Widener University (Widener); Officer Candidate School (OCS); the aviation cadet program (cadet); the Army National Guard (ARNG); direct commission (direct); and battlefield commission (battlefield).
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b The number of years in commission before being promoted to four-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Commission" column from the year in the "Date of rank" column.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Notes include years of birth and death; awards of the Medal of Honor, Congressional Gold Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom, or honors of similar significance; major government appointments; university presidencies or equivalents; familial relationships with other four-star officers or significant government officials such as U.S. Presidents, cabinet secretaries, U.S. Senators, or state governors; and unusual career events such as premature relief or death in office.
  7. ^ Commissioned general in the Continental Army, 1775; resigned, 1783; commissioned lieutenant general in the U.S. Army, 1798; promoted to General of the Armies, October 11, 1976, with date of rank July 4, 1976 (Public Law 94-479).
  8. ^ Resigned, 1869, to serve as President; reappointed general and placed on the retired list, March 3, 1885.
  9. ^ Brevetted general, May 1918.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b Reverted to major general upon expiration of wartime legislation, June 30, 1920; advanced to general on the retired list, June 21, 1930, as highest grade held during World War I.
  11. ^ Reverted to major general, November 20, 1930; retired as general, March 31, 1931.
  12. ^ Reverted to major general, October 1, 1935; retired as general, December 31, 1937; recalled as major general, July 26, 1941; promoted to lieutenant general, July 27, 1941; promoted to general, December 18, 1941, with rank from September 16, 1936; promoted to general of the Army, December 18, 1944; rank made permanent, April 11, 1946; restored to active list, July 9, 1948; relieved of all commands, April 11, 1951.
  13. ^ Retired as general, August 1939; recalled as major general, September 1941.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b c Received a direct commission following graduation from a military college prior to the creation of ROTC.
  15. ^ Promoted to general of the Army, December 16, 1944; rank made permanent, April 11, 1946; retired as general of the Army, February 28, 1947; restored to active list, March 1, 1949.
  16. ^ Advanced to general on the retired list, June 15, 1940, as former chief of staff of the Army.
  17. ^ Retired from active service as general of the Army, 1948; recalled as general of the Army, December 1950; resigned, 1952, to run for President; reappointed general of the Army, March 1961.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Transferred to U.S. Air Force, September 18, 1947.
  19. ^ Retired as major general, January 31, 1945; recalled February 1, 1945; promoted to general, March 5, 1945; advanced to general on the retired list, July 12, 1946; retired, July 20, 1946.
  20. ^ Retired as major general, April 30, 1946; advanced to general on the retired list, June 4, 1948.
  21. ^ Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Vatican City withdrawn, 1951.
  22. ^ Died in car crash, December 23, 1950; posthumously promoted to general, January 2, 1951.
  23. ^ Retired as general, July 1959; recalled as general, July 1961.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k Advanced to general on the retired list, July 19, 1954, as a lieutenant general who, during World War II, commanded Army Ground Forces, commanded an army in any of the Theaters of Operations, was commanding general of U.S. forces in China and chief of staff to Chiang Kai-shek, or commanded Western Defense Command (Public Law 83-508).
  25. ^ Retired as general, August 1963; recalled as general, September 1963.
  26. ^ Retired as general, December 1959; recalled as general, January 1960.
  27. ^ Retired as general, July 1970; recalled as general, August 1970.
  28. ^ Retired as general, December 1974; recalled as lieutenant general, June 1977; retired as general, July 1981.
  29. ^ Transferred from Army National Guard, 1920; retired, 1947; retained on active duty until 1973; advanced to general on the retired list, February 1970, with date of rank December 23, 1969.
  30. ^ "'Stormin' Norman' Schwarzkopf, lauded Gulf War commander, dies - CNN.com". CNN. 2012-12-28.
  31. ^ Graduated from Pennsylvania Military College, which was reorganized as a civilian institution in 1972 and is now Widener University.
  32. ^ Jackson, Gregg Zoroya and David. "Embattled VA chief Shinseki resigns". USA TODAY.
  33. ^ Retired as general, November 2000; recalled as general, August 2003.
  34. ^ Relieved, July 2005, and retired as lieutenant general.
  35. ^ Nomination as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (VCSA) withdrawn, 2008.
  36. ^ "Washington Never a General of U.S. Army; Rank Created for Him, but Not Conferred", The New York Times, p. N8, February 2, 1936
  37. ^ "45 U.S. Officers Outrank George Washington", The Associated Press, September 27, 1953
  38. ^ Office of the Judge Advocate General, United States Army (1915), The military laws of the United States, 1915, Volume 1, Issue 915 (also The military laws of the United States, 1915, Volume 1, Issue 915), Washington, DC: Government Printing Office
  39. ^ Bell, pp. 19–24 Missing or empty |title= (help)
  40. ^ Public Law 65-12, Section 8 (May 18, 1917), Missing or empty |title= (help); Public Law 65-90, Section 3 (October 6, 1917), Missing or empty |title= (help)
  41. ^ "Rank Of General For Bliss And March; Former Gets Brevet Title for Services Abroad — Latter Becomes Chief of Staff", The New York Times, p. 6, May 21, 1918
  42. ^ "March to Lose Two Stars on June 30; Going Back to Rank of Major General", The New York Times, p. 13, June 23, 1920
  43. ^ Officer Personnel Act of 1947 (Public Law 80-381), Sections 504(b,d) (August 7, 1947), Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ 10 USC 601, Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals
  45. ^ 10 USC 525, Distribution of commissioned officers on active duty in general officer and flag officer grades

References[]

Retrieved from ""