Who is considered the best general ever?

There's no single "best" general ever, as it depends on criteria, but Napoleon Bonaparte, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar are consistently ranked at the top for tactical genius, conquest, and impact, alongside figures like Genghis Khan, Hannibal, and Khalid ibn al-Walid, often cited for undefeated records or strategic brilliance in different eras. Each excelled in different ways, from Napoleon's battlefield dominance and Caesar's political/military fusion to Alexander's vast empire-building and Khalid's unbroken streak.

Who is the greatest general of all time?

There's no single "greatest general," but Napoleon Bonaparte is often cited due to statistical analysis (high wins, few losses) and tactical brilliance, alongside figures like Alexander the Great (unbeaten in major battles), Julius Caesar, and Khalid ibn al-Walid, with modern discussions often including commanders like Patton, Subutai, and Yi Sun-sin, highlighting diverse strengths from conquest to naval warfare.
 

Who is considered the best US general?

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.
 

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.

Who is the only 5 star general?

There have been five 5-star generals: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry H. Arnold, and Omar Bradley.

Greatest Generals in History

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.

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.

Who is the unbeatable commander?

Khalid ibn al-Walid (592–642 CE), known as “The Sword of Allah”, is considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. He never lost a battle throughout his career, demonstrating exceptional skill in strategy, mobility, and battlefield tactics.

What general has won the most battles in history?

Among all generals, Napoleon had the highest WAR (16.679) by a large margin. In fact, the next highest performer, Julius Caesar (7.445 WAR), had less than half the WAR accumulated by Napoleon across his battles.

Was Grant or Lee a better general?

While Robert E. Lee was a brilliant tactician celebrated for victories against stronger forces, Ulysses S. Grant is generally considered the better overall general due to his superior strategic vision, relentless pressure, and ability to manage resources, ultimately wearing down the Confederacy by forcing continuous battles and leveraging the North's advantages in manpower, leading to victory in the war. Lee excelled in battlefield maneuvers but lacked a comprehensive strategy for the entire war, while Grant's strategic approach of sustained, grinding campaigns proved decisive, as highlighted in the Overland Campaign where he accepted heavy losses to keep pressure on Lee.
 

Who outranks a 4 star general?

The rank of general (or full general, or four-star general) is the highest rank normally achievable in the United States Army. It ranks above lieutenant general (three-star general) and below general of the Army (five-star general). There have been 262 four-star generals in the history of the U.S. Army.

Who was the youngest general ever?

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 is considered the greatest military mind of all time?

History's most incredible military leaders, and the business lessons they can teach us

• General George S. Patton (1885—1945)
• Jan Žižka (1360—1424)
• Gustavus Adolphus (1594—1632)
• Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769—1852)
• Frederick II of Prussia (1712—1786)

Who never lost a battle in history?

In antiquity, no one stands taller than Alexander the Great - the young military genius who never once lost a battle and established a vast empire that heralded a new historical era.

Who are the three 6 star generals?

Gene Schwartz A 6-star general is a common, informal term for the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, the highest possible rank in the U.S. Army. This rank has been bestowed upon only three individuals: John J. Pershing, George Washington (posthumously), and Ulysses S. Grant (posthumously).

Who was the most powerful general in history?

Napoleon Bonaparte

Arguably the greatest general who has ever lived, Napoleon Bonaparte's military genius redefined warfare and reshaped Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Who broke 9 swords in a battle?

Khalid gave a tribute to the Sassanid Persian army. He said: At Mutah I broke nine swords in my hand.

Who were the 10 best generals in history?

Here are history's 10 best generals.

• Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
• Takeda Shingen. ...
• Khalid Ibn al-Walid. ...
• Hannibal Barca. ...
• General Ulysses S. ...
• Frederick the Great. ...
• Georgy Zhukov. ...
• Alexander the Great. Ancient Macedonian armies didn't have sideburn regulations, apparently. ...

Which general did the Germans fear the most?

There wasn't one single "most feared" German general, but Erwin Rommel (The Desert Fox) was widely respected and feared by Allies for his tactical brilliance in North Africa, while figures like SS leader Heinrich Himmler, who commanded Army Group Upper Rhine, and the brutal Ferdinand Schörner (known for fanatical defence and brutality) instilled terror, often through war crimes and fanaticism rather than just battlefield prowess. 

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 WWII due to a combination of age, family status (wife and four children) granting him an initial deferment (3-A), and later an occupational deferment (2-A) secured by Hollywood studios who argued his movie-making was vital for national morale and propaganda. He tried to enlist but faced obstacles, including family obligations, studio interference, and a genuine belief he could help more by making morale-boosting films, though he deeply regretted not serving and sought to atone for it later in life. 

Are there female US Navy Seals?

No, there are currently no female Navy SEALs, as no woman has yet completed the full Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training pipeline, despite the combat role opening to women in 2016. While several women have entered the selection process and one graduated as the first female Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC), the elite SEAL Trident remains unconquered by women, though progress is being made in adjacent special warfare roles.
 

Who is the only female 4 star general?

The first and only female four-star general in U.S. military history is General Ann E. Dunwoody, who achieved the rank in 2008 and retired after a distinguished 38-year career, paving the way for women in the highest ranks of the armed forces.
 

Are there any female rangers in the U.S. Army?

Shaye Lynne Haver. Shaye Lynne Haver (born 1990) is one of the two first women, along with CPT Kristen Griest, to ever graduate from the US Army Ranger School, which took place on 21 August 2015.