They Dominated the Battlefield Like No One Else – Meet the Only 6-Star Generals!

A six-star general? It’s a rank so rare that most Americans don’t even know it exists. Only three men in U.S. history have ever received this exceptional honor. One earned it during his lifetime, while the other two were granted the title posthumously—long after their remarkable contributions to the nation’s military legacy.

The Relentless Rise of John J. Pershing

John J. Pershing’s military career wasn’t one of shortcuts or quick promotions. He climbed the ranks the hard way, beginning with service on the Western frontier, where he fought against the Apache and Lakota Sioux. Stationed in Montana, he earned his first big promotion—first lieutenant of the 10th Cavalry Regiment.

The Spanish-American War catapulted him further. Fighting in the battles of Santiago de Cuba and San Juan Hill, Pershing proved his battlefield prowess, earning a Silver Citation Star, which later became the Silver Star. His victories didn’t stop there—leading forces in the Philippines against the Moro Rebellion, he quickly rose to brigadier general.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson sent Pershing on a nearly year-long mission to capture Mexican revolutionary Francisco “Pancho” Villa. Though Villa evaded capture, Pershing’s campaign crushed his forces, showcasing his tactical brilliance.

The General Who Refused to Waste American Lives

By the time the U.S. entered World War I, Pershing had reached the pinnacle of his career. President Wilson appointed him to lead the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France. His job? Build an army of a million soldiers by 1918, with the ambitious goal of tripling that number by the following year.

Allied commanders in Europe wanted to absorb American soldiers into their ranks, but Pershing pushed back. He insisted that U.S. troops fight under their own command, refusing to let them be treated as expendable reinforcements. When the Supreme War Council proposed merging American forces into British and French divisions, Pershing dismissed the idea as “pouring new wine into old bottles.”

The Birth of a Six-Star General

After the war, Pershing returned home to a hero’s welcome. In recognition of his contributions, he became the first and only living person awarded the rank of six-star general, officially known as “General of the Armies of the United States.” Since no insignia for this rank existed, Pershing designed his own, opting for gold stars instead of silver. Though he retired in 1924, he held the title until his death in 1948.

A Founding Father’s Posthumous Promotion

John J. Pershing may have been the first official six-star general, but history wouldn’t allow him to outrank one of America’s greatest military leaders: George Washington.

As commander of the Continental Army, Washington led the fledgling United States to victory over the British, cementing his place as a national icon. However, when he passed away in 1799, his official rank was only lieutenant general—a three-star position.

Fast-forward to the 20th century. By then, the U.S. military had introduced four-, five-, and even six-star ranks. But having future officers outrank Washington didn’t sit well with Congress. In 1978, lawmakers passed a resolution posthumously promoting him to six-star general, backdating the honor to July 4, 1976. The legislation made it clear: “no officer of the United States Army should outrank Lieutenant General George Washington.”

Ulysses S. Grant: A Promotion Two Centuries in the Making

Long before he became the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant was a soldier. His military career started with a nomination to West Point and a posting at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. He saw his first combat in the Mexican-American War, where he quickly proved his battlefield instincts.

When the Civil War erupted, Grant’s leadership became legendary. After turning raw recruits into a disciplined force, he was promoted to brigadier general. His victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, the bloody Battle of Shiloh, and the decisive Vicksburg Campaign made him a household name. By the war’s end in 1865, he had risen to the top, serving as commander of the entire U.S. Army.

But unlike Washington, Grant never received a six-star rank—until recently. In December 2022, on the 200th anniversary of his birth, Congress quietly granted him the long-overdue promotion through the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. President Joe Biden signed it into law, ensuring Grant’s legacy would match his monumental contributions to American history.

The Legacy of the Six-Star Rank

Despite the historic promotions of Pershing, Washington, and Grant, the six-star general rank remains an anomaly in U.S. military history. No other officer has been granted this honor, and the rank itself exists in a category beyond the traditional chain of command. It serves as a rare tribute to those whose leadership shaped not just wars, but the very foundation of the United States.