Highest U.S. Military Rank... Ever?

General of the Armies
("six-star" general)

What is the highest U.S. military rank, ever?

At first glance, a civilian might say, "Four-star general or admiral."

But they'd be wrong.

A Veteran might answer with, "Five-star general or admiral," but they'd be wrong too. During WW II, there were five Generals of the Army. But there's a higher rank.

The true answer is a "six-star general," called General of the Armies. And there have been a few of them.

Even if you google for six-star generals, the Internet will get it wrong. 

There have been three U.S. Army soldiers who've been awarded the rank of General of the Armies, but only one person has actually worn it in uniform: John J. Pershing. The other two are George Washington who was promoted to the rank of General of the Armies on July 4, 1976 and Ulysses S. Grant who was promoted on April 19, 2024.

This makes George Washington the most senior and highest ranking member of the United States Armed Forces.