General of the Armies

General of the Armies
	Proposed but never introduced badge of rank of a "General of the Armies"
Rank group	Generals
NATO rank code	Special grade
Rank Army / Air Force	none
Marine rank	none
Abbreviation (in lists)	GAS
Grade

General of the Armies of the United States ( German , General of the Armies of the United States ' ) or abbreviated GAS , as (unofficially) so-called six-star general , is the highest attainable rank within the US armed forces . It can only be awarded by the President with the prior approval of the United States Congress . The rank has only been awarded twice, and both times for honorary reasons. Although it was never officially abolished, since it is no longer recorded anywhere, it is considered to no longer exist.

Previous seniority holders

John Pershing

When the new five-star rank of General of the Army was created in December 1944 , John J. Pershing , who had been promoted to (five-star) General of the Armies of the United States in 1919, was given priority over all new five-star Awarded to generals. This led to speculation that he had been appointed a six-star general, but such would have been equivalent to a grand marshal or generalissimo internationally , and this was not expected of the allies. Pershing wore the four gold stars that he had worn since 1919 until his death.

George Washington

In 1976 the rank was posthumously awarded to Lieutenant General George Washington as part of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of US independence . This happened because Washington, as the highest-ranking officer of his time, was a three-star general and was therefore overtaken in rank by later generals, which is why the legislature explicitly stated that no one should receive a higher rank than Washington.

Precedence

GAS doctoral letter for George Washington (1976)

Rank
lower: General of the Army	General of the Armies of the United States	higher: none

Individual evidence

↑ https://www.defense.gov/About/Insignias/Officers#General%20of
↑ However, Pershing carried not five silver, but four gold stars on his shoulders.
↑ US Army Five-Star Generals
↑ Public Law 94-479 of January 19, 1976 to provide for the appointment of George Washington to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States

[1] ttps://www.defense.gov/About/Insignias/Officers#General%20of

[2] However, Pershing carried not five silver, but four gold stars on his shoulders.

[3] US Army Five-Star Generals

[4] Public Law 94-479 of January 19, 1976 to provide for the appointment of George Washington to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States