General of the Army (USA)

:Please see "General of the Army" for other nations which use this rank

Origins of the rank

In an Act of the United States Congress on March 3, 1799, Congress provided "that a Commander of the United States shall be appointed and commissioned by the style of General of the Armies of the United States and the present office and title of Lieutenant General shall thereafter be abolished."

Related Topics:
United States Congress - March 3 - 1799 - Commissioned

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The proposed senior General rank was not bestowed, however, and when George Washington died, he was listed as a Lieutenant General on the rolls of the United States Army. Thus, a policy was established (whose exact reasons are lost in history) that the senior most General rank to be held in the Regular Army of the United States would be that of Major General.

Related Topics:
George Washington - Lieutenant General - United States Army - Regular Army - Major General

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