General of the Armies

General of the Armies Soundex Code G564

Wikipedi page about General of the Armies

General of the Armies of the United States, or more commonly referred to as General of the Armies, is the highest possible grade in the U.S. Army.

Only one man has been appointed General of the Armies in his lifetime, and one other posthumously:

John J. Pershing in 1919 to honor his service in World War I.

George Washington (posthumously) in 1976, as part of the American bicentennial celebrations, to commemorate his leadership and involvement in the founding of the United States, was appointed "to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States". In his own day, he had been appointed and served as "General and Commander in chief of the Army of the united Colonies". Douglas MacArthur was considered for appointment to the rank, both during and after World War II, but a formal promotion order for his appointment "to the office of General of the Armies of the United States" was never issued.

The appointment is superior to General of the Army, General of the Air Force and Fleet Admiral and equal to Admiral of the Navy, and in Pershing's case signified service directly under the president.