fifth star

No he doesn't. Omar Bradley was the last five star general (General of the Army) and he wore his stars until he died in 1981. Incidentally, a five star was by tradition never retired. They were always considered on duty. That's why you can find pictures of Bradley in uniform right up until his death.

The rank itself is now unofficially retired and will likely not be seen again anytime soon. There have been no five star generals or admirals made since Bradley was in 1950.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/omarnels.htm
 
Interesting. So, Congress figured that the 5 star rank should accompany anyone who held the position of Chairman of JCS? Was this not continued because of the relative frequency of appointments to Chairman of JCS, thus making many 5 stars?
 
The 5th star was added because during WWII US generals were in charge of officers from other countries who were field marshals (most notably Great Britain) and it was felt unseemly for someone of a lower rank to command a person of a higher rank even if their job did call for it. Therefore the rank of General of the Army and Admiral of the Fleet were created. As to why the five star generals weren't called field marshals, it is commonly believed that the most senior US general, General Marshall, didn't want to be called Marshal Marshall.

The ranks were carried out a little while after WWII for Admiral Halsey who got his fifth star in December of 1945 and for General Bradley who got his in April of 1950. This was done mostly because of the high regard these officers had garnered for their service during WWII but also in General Bradley's case, because as Chairman of the JCS he was in charge of General MacArthur who was of course a 5 star himself and you can't very well have a 4 star in charge of a 5 star. In later years there was deemed no need for the rank and so it was allowed to fall into disuse.
 
Charge 7 said:
As to why the five star generals weren't called field marshals, it is commonly believed that the most senior US general, General Marshall, didn't want to be called Marshal Marshall.

Hehe, this made me chuckle.
 
Just some additional info... :)

General of the Army was established by Congress on December 14, 1944 and provided that no more than four officers could be appointed. President Roosevelt appointed Generals George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Henry H. Arnold. Act of Congress, approved September 15, 1950, authorized the President to appoint General Omar N. Bradley to the grade of General of the Army.
http://www.military-quotes.com/ranks/army-rank-insignia.htm
 
I'm sure Patton would've liked to have had a fifth star. He was, however, never anywhere close to being considered for it.
 
Strongbow said:
Very interesting Charge.


This off topic but did Patton ever push for a higher rank near the end of WW2?

I doubt he would have pushed to get a fifth. He was arrogant as hell, but he was smart too. Im sure he knew that even if he tried its wasnt going to happen.
 
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