Is a 5 star general good?

Yes, a five-star general is exceptionally "good," representing the highest tier of military leadership, typically reserved for wartime commanders with immense authority, strategic genius, and influence, far above even four-star generals, though it's an extremely rare rank held by only a handful of U.S. officers in history like Eisenhower and MacArthur.

How powerful is a 5 star general?

A five-star rank is usually the highest ranking general or flag officer. This rank is usually a field marshal, general of the army, admiral of the fleet or marshal of the air force.

Has anyone been a 6 star General?

This rank has been bestowed upon only three individuals: John J. Pershing, George Washington (posthumously), and Ulysses S. Grant (posthumously). While not officially a six-star rank, it is considered superior to the five-star General of the Army rank and is largely a symbolic, honorary position.

How hard is it to be a 5 star general?

Generally, the highest U.S. military rank is O-10, or a four-star general. A five-star rank, created during World War II, was meant to be reserved for wartime or exceptional circumstances. Only nine Americans ever have held this rank.

How many people have been 5 star generals?

In U.S. history, nine individuals have held five-star ranks (General of the Army/Air Force or Fleet Admiral), with five of those being Army Generals: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry H. Arnold (also Air Force), and Omar N. Bradley. This prestigious rank, created during World War II, signifies exceptional wartime leadership, with none currently active.
 

Every Five-Star General in American History, Part 1

What is the salary of a U.S. general?

As of Jan 4, 2026, the average annual pay for an Us Army General in the United States is $96,229 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $46.26 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,850/week or $8,019/month.

Who was the most feared U.S. general in WWII?

The most feared U.S. general by the Germans in World War II was widely considered to be George S. Patton Jr., known for his aggressive armored warfare tactics, bold leadership, and relentless pursuit of enemies, earning him the nickname "Old Blood and Guts" and making him a significant adversary for the German High Command.
 

Who is the youngest general?

Pennypacker, I. R. (1917) Galusha Pennypacker: Brigadier General and Brevet Major General, United States Volunteers, Brigadier General and Brevet Major General, United States Army, America's youngest general .

Who was the only 5 star general to be president?

The only U.S. President to hold the rank of a five-star general was Dwight D. Eisenhower, who achieved the rank of General of the Army during World War II as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe before serving as the 34th U.S. President. 

Is field marshal higher than general?

Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, senior to the general officer ranks. Promotion to the rank of field marshal in many countries historically required extraordinary military achievement by a general (a wartime victory).

Are there female generals?

The first female lieutenant general was promoted in 1997. The Army now has 21 female general officers, and just more than 100 serve within the Defense Department. Dunwoody first joined the Army intent on serving only two years, she said. Her success, she admitted, comes to her surprise.

Was Patton a 5 star general?

No, General George S. Patton Jr. was never a five-star general; he reached the rank of a four-star General of the Army, a rank he held at the end of World War II when he commanded the U.S. Third Army and served as military governor of Bavaria, with the five-star rank being reserved for only a few top strategic leaders like Eisenhower and MacArthur. 

Does an E-9 outrank an O-1?

Yes, an O-1 (Second Lieutenant/Ensign) technically outranks an E-9 (Chief Master Sergeant/Master Chief Petty Officer/Sergeant Major), the highest enlisted rank, but in practice, the E-9's vast experience means an O-1 won't give them direct orders, instead relying on the chain of command where the O-1's orders come down and the E-9 advises, as the E-9's expertise is critical, and they are often senior advisors to higher officers. 

Do 5-star generals serve for life?

This was to make him equal in rank to General of the Army MacArthur, who was still serving at the time. These officers who held the rank of General of the Army remained officers of the United States Army for life, with an annual $20,000 in pay and allowances, equivalent to $357,000 in 2024.

Who was the best U.S. general ever?

There's no single "greatest," but top contenders for greatest American general often include George Washington (founding a nation), Ulysses S. Grant (winning the Civil War), William Tecumseh Sherman (total war theorist), George S. Patton (brilliant WWII field commander), and Dwight D. Eisenhower (Supreme Allied Commander in WWII), each excelling in different eras and types of warfare, with many historians praising Washington and Grant for their foundational roles.
 

Has a woman ever been a General of the Army?

On June 11, 1970, Colonel Anna Mae Hays, Chief, Army Nurse Corps was promoted to the grade of brigadier general. She became the first woman in the history of the U.S. Army to attain general officer rank.

What president has the highest military rank?

The three presidents to hold the highest military ranks were: George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant, respectively. Washington held the rank of lieutenant general (O-9) when he died, but in 1976, then-president Gerald R.

How many U.S. generals are there?

The total number of active duty general officers is capped at 219 for the Army, 64 for the Marine Corps, 171 for the Air Force, 150 for the Navy, and 21 for the Space Force.

Which president was raised by Jehovah's Witnesses?

Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th U.S. President, was raised by parents who were active members of the International Bible Students (later Jehovah's Witnesses), but he never officially joined the faith, instead converting to Presbyterianism later in life and becoming a public advocate for faith in America, despite his upbringing's pacifist leanings conflicting with his military career. 

What age do most generals retire?

10 U.S. Code § 1253: Mandatory retirement age for general and flag officers is age 64. Officers in O9 and O10 positions may have retirement deferred until age 66 by the SECDEF or until age 68 by the President.

Who is the longest serving general?

The longest serving general in U.S. history, General Winfield Scott was born on this day in 1786 in Petersburg, Virginia. Initially, Scott pursued a career in law but later joined the army as a captain in the light artillery in 1808.

Are any 5 star generals alive today?

There are no active 5-star generals in the U.S. military; this rank (General of the Army, Fleet Admiral, General of the Air Force) was created for World War II and hasn't been used since, with the last holders retiring decades ago. The highest ranks now are 4-star generals, with the most senior ranks like General of the Armies (held by Washington, Pershing, Grant) being symbolic and not currently active. 

What did soldiers use condoms for in WWII?

WW2 soldiers carried condoms primarily for disease prevention (STDs), as the military issued them to combat high rates of syphilis and gonorrhea, but they also found numerous tactical uses, like keeping rifle muzzles clear of mud and sand, waterproofing small items (matches, explosives), and even makeshift water containers or surgical gloves, proving versatile in combat.
 

Why didn't John Wayne serve in WWII?

John Wayne didn't serve in World War II due to a combination of his age (34 in 1941), being married with four children (qualifying for a 3-A deferment), and a 2-A occupational deferment secured by his studio (Republic Pictures) arguing his film work was vital for national morale, despite his own desires to enlist and later regrets over not serving, which haunted him. He tried to join but was blocked by studio pressure and his family obligations, leading many to brand him a "draft dodger," though he later supported troops through USO tours and patriotic films. 

What general never lost a battle?

Legendary Kosh Otaman of the Zaporozhian Sich. During his career, Sirko took part in 55 Cossack campaigns with reputation of never losing a battle. New sources put Sirko's record at over 65 victories in battles. Prominent 18th-century Russian general known for his legendary military career and undefeated status.