General Officers in The United States - George Washington

George Washington

After World War II, which saw the introduction of U.S. "five-star" officers who outranked Washington, both Congress and the President revisited the issue of Washington's rank. To maintain George Washington's proper position as the first Commanding General of the United States Army, he was appointed, posthumously, to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States by congressional joint resolution Public Law 94-479 January 19, 1976, approved by President Gerald R. Ford on October 11, 1976. The Department of the Army Order 31-3, issued on March 13, 1978 by Secretary of the Army Clifford Alexander, Jr. had an effective appointment date of July 4, 1976. The rank ensures that no United States military officer outranks George Washington.