#shorts #history Only three men have ever been made General of the Armies of the United States. One of them just got his promotion this week (in December 2022).
Since I've had to repond to DOZENS of people claiming that this is a 5 star rank. It is NOT. General of the Army was created in 1944 (5 stars) and given to Marshall, MacArthur, Ike, Arnold, and later Bradley. There was talk of elevanting Marshall to General of the ARMIES of the United States (the rank I'm discussing here) but he refused it while Pershing (who held that rank) was still alive, believing only one man at a time could have it. It is NOT 5 star, it's above that.
Unlike those dozens of people, I knew you were right about this (though I didn't know about either Washington or Grant's posthumous promotions), but as I listened, I wondered why you didn't distinguish between General of the Army and General of the Armies. That would have probably avoided (most of) the confusion. I think it is also interesting to note (if I remember this correctly) that in his lifetime Washington only wore three stars.
Wouldn't it be that in a way The president would be the General of the armies Not to say that all presidents Ther by is a 6 star General Bur he is the Supreme commander of the armies isn't he The total military might of the US 🇺🇸 I know this is if any nit-picking but I'm just wondering Just saying 🇧🇻
A lot of the People in the higher Ranks don’t deserve to be there. There are so many enlisted Men that have way more smarts than their Commissioned Brethren could only wish for. It’s too bad the Rank System is the way it is, a lot of Medals that People deserved were downgraded or not given at all. I’m not sure if it is possible for an Enlisted to transfer over to the Commissioned side of things, but the experience of some of these guys is wasted by others playing politics and just trying to get that next Rank. Not in the Military myself but have Family that are in.
@@Tijjain I mean, the thing is, Grant could have used the money. HE was almost broke when he died, and had Mark Twain ghostwrite his memoirs just so his family would have enough to live on.
@@epicurius1which is tragic because arguably hes the nail that brought the confederates to their knees, first with the taking of the Mississippi, and then finally with the defeat of the army of Northern Virginia
@@sasquatch7234 admittedly there's a difference between underappreciated and famous. Benedict Arnold was the textbook definition of underappreciated General but in history he is extremely famous... and infamous.
@@robertharris6092 Excellent observation. He was the only General ON the Normandy beaches. Few of us, I say this as a veteran myself, get the recognition and appreciation we deserve.
And thanks to Mark Twain his wife was able to live comfortably after his death. If you haven't read Grant's autobiography it's perhaps the best of it's kind ever written
The fact that he wrote it while dying from throat cancer, finishing it just days before passing away, and then having very little of his draft edited will never not shock me… he was incredible!
It is also valued by Historians as one of the most honest and accurate depictions of the Civil War. Memoirs often are more more apologetics for what went wrong and celebrations for what went right. Grant generally speaking tried very hard to be honest....
Except that rank expired when their presidential terms ended. General of the Armies is basically an honorary rank anyway, although Pershing got some pretty awesome benefits when he was promoted to it.
I mean, if you it that way, then President _[insert name of most disliked US President here]_ is also on equal rank to Washington and Grant as Commander in Chief, and I don't think many people would appreciate that.
Honestly I think of it more like a hall of fame for military Generals in the US which right now is a very exclusive Club because pinpoints generals who were instrumental in creating the nation preserving the nation and stepping out onto the world stage as a young nation. It's kind of like how and baseball there is a Hall of Fame even though a lot of players who are in the Hall of Fame have already ate great Lacey outside of it
The problem is that that is just from them being presidents, not from being generals. By that standard, any president is an amazing general. The entire point of giving them this rank is that it officially recognizes them as amazing generals. While legacies in the public mind are one thing, thats nothing official, so in the government's book it doesnt matter.
Ike was like the 6th highest ranking member of the US military in WW2 so I highly doubt that. He was only a theater commander. He was outranked by Marshall, MacArthur, Leahy, King, and Nimitz in WW2
@@VloggingThroughHistory: Who among those people was the highest-ranked? Does this rank imply that the person who has it was, theoretically, in charge of all military operations at the time (but under the President)?
Marshall was the Army Chief of Staff and outranked everyone else. There was a push to make him General of the Armies of the United States during WW2 but he refused to accept it while Pershing was still living (he died in 1948) and it was never pursued after the war.
@@VloggingThroughHistory: This is not really my realm of even minor amateurish familiarity, but I could see Marshall, in that case, eventually getting it. Also, given that the Marshall Plan was a pretty successful and humanitarian effort (I recognize that that was not its own justification, but it nonetheless is a characteristic which it had), I do not think that retrospective feelings about him are sour enough to prevent it, which is helpful.
Grant was the first three star after Washington. He started out in the Civil War enlisting as a private after being brushed off by McClellan when applying for a commission. He was elected Captain of his Company almost immediately, and quickly rose through the ranks, success coming from almost every operation he was involved in. He was struggling with alcoholism, and Lincoln was pressured to relieve him. Lincoln saw his potential, and responded to one such petitioner, "I can't spare this man. He fights."
about Grant’s enlistment. He was working his father’s store in Galena, IL and as a West Point grad he was given a commission by the governor of Illinois as an advisor and then Colonel in command of the 21st Illinois. I think you’re confusing when he chaired a meeting for militia being raised in the town and they tried to make him a captain but he turned it down as he knew he would at least be made a Colonel (as he had been a Captain in the regular army)
Lincoln was also running into a morale issue with the frequent replacement of Generals. He stuck it out with Grant and it paid dividends. I don’t believe Grant to be an elite General, but he was a very crucial general in American history
It's been great to see the rehabilitation of his legacy. A century and a half of abuse and lies of him being nothing but a butcher, despite the facts proving otherwise, and he finally gets the honor he deserves.
@@Verge63 Kinda weird that you brought up that General Sherman was a Catholic. Are you correlating his laughter to the enemy being a Protestant Reverend? It sounded like you were trying to make a case for Sherman being callous... Also how's that a measure of anything? As a military veteran myself pro tip: If everyday you wake up you know somebody's going to die you develop a morbid sense of humor. I laughed out loud literally when I learned that Confederate Jackson died after being shot by his own men. I recognized their humanity but the Confederate military was a group dedicated to killing United States Army personnel. As a US soldier I struggle to shed tears over their demise.
Well deserved!! Grant deserves so much recognition for all he has done for our country. The man who saved the Union and destroyed the Confederacy is a American hero.
Unfortunately he founded the Justice Department which is used as a cudgel against people who oppose federal overreach He gave the feds one of their earliest and most powerful tools of tyranny. Fuck Grant
@@lilmanbazooka7944 Maybe they think the South could've seceded, and the Union would've been fine, so they see the American Civil War as an unnecessary one, especially considering the bloodshed?
*Grant saves the basically saves the Union* “Should we promote him for this.” “No it’s fine.” Over 100 years later “Ok I changed my mind let’s promote him” “…”
A Chad, what does that even mean? I’m rather certain he was never in Africa, and Chad 🇹🇩 wasn’t even a country back then. I don’t think you realize just how childish you sound when using euphemisms like this when referring to a General and former president. 😂
Grant was a great man. A fair man. A just man. A hero who was looked down upon by his own race but beloved by all others. God save General Grant. Love from India 🇮🇳
Thank you. I recall my Dad mentioning over the years the five-star generals and admirals that America had honored, and pointing out that Gen. Pershing was the only officer designated as, "General of the Armies." In later years, I followed up on this history - and once could name the five generals and four admirals who received that high distinction. I was aware that George Washington had been elevated posthumously: I believe he was elevated from Lieutenant General to the unofficial six-star rank. I also recall that that highest rank actually was five gold stars instead of five silver stars - but again, Gen. Pershing never wore five gold stars. Neither will Generals Washington and Grant - yet they both exceeded such ranking by being elected President and thus serving as Commander-in- Chief. My Dad took interest in such things. He served between World War II and Korea and always had his eye on leadership.
US Grant deserves as great recognition as anyone. He was the right man at the right time in our history. From cadet to quartermaster to general to President. Inspiring !
Did you know that General MacArthur would’ve been promoted to General of the Armies if Operation Downfall was enacted. Also General Pershing wore 4 gold stars to differ from other 4 star generals.
@@arbiteroffate3601 considering most of the folks online that throw around the term "Leftist" wouldn't be able to differenciate a "Leftist" from a communist from a social democrat from a national socialist, i really don'T care.
@@jacksonfitzsimmons4253 And in turn: "You say somethign I disagree with! YOU A LEFTIST!!! YOu communist think that big companies hsouldn't be allowed to act as they please! And you think, you dare think that Ulysses S. Grant was an able general, and more successfull than Robert E. Lee, you soy boy!!!"
I’m a new viewer, enjoying the heck out of your videos. I feel like I’ve found ‘home.’ I just want to tell you, you are a brilliant man. Knowledge is one thing, but how you interpret that knowledge and apply it to real life is the mark of intelligence. I love listening to your take on the things that happened that shaped our world today. I know you’ve done this before, but could you please tell me a brief history about you.
Few American generals have aired less about rank and etiquette than Ulysses S Grant. Most of the time, he wore a private uniform, even when accepting he surrender the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Courthouse. Grant's actions speak for themselves. Then again, there is so much that I disagree with in the 2023 military budget, that I am just a nonplussed by this.
after WWII in 1945 with 12.5 million active personnel USA had only 11 four star generals. In 2022 US army had 416657 personnel with 45 four star generals.
Don't tell that to Trump! He's already made it clear he thinks he was a better President than Washington*, AND Lincoln! It's surprising that he didn't try to commission himself as a General, on his way out the door! Except for he was too busy clawing and scratching to stay... * Washington knew when it was time to leave, so, he was definitely better! (As if it was even a contest!) The only 'contest of presidents' that Trump is in is the "Worst President", though, sadly, he does have some competition for that!
Eisenhower he's my hero, saw him in a parade, I was either in kindergarten or 1st grade ,Boston. Warned us of military industrial complex we see today.
Ike wasn't even the highest ranking officer in his own country's military during WW2 so I'm not sure he does. There was a move to give the rank to his superior, George C Marshall, but Marshall rejected the idea while Pershing was still living. Ike was also outranked by MacArthur and a few Navy officers.
John J. Pershing not only wore 4 stars but his stars were Golden and not silver; that was the only difference among the other Generals. A small detail you forgot to mention.
Grant was villainized and torn down for a ridiculously long time, despite all evidence to the contrary. I'm 22, even in my own history classes 5 or 6 years ago they were still talking about how he was a raging drunkard, he sacrificed his own men with impunity, etc.
The Lost Cause was strong in rewriting history because people were tired of arguing with them and walked away. Now, we're tired of listening to their bs and willing to prove how wrong they are again.
As a Southerner I am fine with Grant getting the award. I just hope Sherman doesnt, my family were victims of his war crimes and while I dont support the CSA, his war crimes were disgusting and as a commanding officer he is still responsible for his soldiers, not to mention his help in genociding Natives.
I agree they should promote him to a general of the armies he was one of the reasons the CSA fell his March to the sea was brilliant he was a great general.
Honestly, I respect this decision. The popularity of the lost cause myth MURDERED Grant’s reputation as one of the greatest American generals to have ever lived in the eyes of millions of Americans. I’m glad that with the myth’s recession, more and more people are coming around and warming up to Grant.
You know Congress has nothing better to do with their time, when they are promoting people who died more than a hundred years ago, instead of taking better care of the veterans who are alive today.
A waste of Money? What Money? There are so few Men/ Women who were gifted to Serve with such Loyalty -Sacrifice - Leadership- Insight and Sense of Purpose to above all Protect- Our Country and it’s Constituents that recognition of them after years of evaluation from a Historical Perspective is our responsibility. This provides an example for those who aspire to rise to learn to Love others and their Rights of Life Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. To recognize greatness in others is the very least we should be proud to to do. Money is simply Paper People fight over and have come to Worship in lieu of Morality and Human Life. Respectfully…..
@@geridamas935 Thank you for the qualification. I did not believe it would be an Elevation Semantically in the same sense of the word. I am not a Student of the Order of the Military Command. So just your information was valuable. Thank you
This is cool and all, but was Grant really a 6 star? Yes, he won us the civil war, yes he was a strong president and fair leader, absolutely he promoted equality and was a vital leader in our American history. However. He did not win battles through tactical planning, he did not win battles through outwitting or out menuvering his opponents, he won by playing a numbers game with thousands and thousands of young lives. By using sheer mass and momentum Grant made his impact, is that really the same as coordinating operations an ocean away through the most bleak time in human history? Was it the same as raising an untrained force of farmers and mercenaries to fight for independence from the greatest military and naval power of the age? I just don't quite think so
He had to play the numbers game when he started, McClellan didn't pursue any strategic moves against the Confederate Army, he played it too safe. But Grant did use strategies, he divided the Confederate forces by taking the Mississippi River.
I truly believe Grant was one of the greatest heroes in American history and I am so happy he is finally getting his story retold as the great man he truly was, he can rest in peace knowing his story is being cleansed from a drunken butcher to a military genius
Who the hell spends our tax money having meetings deciding if we should give a higher rank to a dead man or not? Can I ask my boss if I can get promoted after I die?
Exactly I mean he approved of Sherman's March to the sea in which he authorized the murder of slaves, women, children, burning homes and cities to the ground with people still in them not to mention burning crop fields and murdering live stock how many war crimes did Grant support in that endeavor
@@295Phoenix oh really is that so well if you weren't brainwashed into believing everything you're told by a teacher and actually did your own research you'll find there is no leg to stand on this argument General Grant was a cruel hateful man who had no principles of honor and dignity even though our school system would have you think differently when if you just do the bear minimum of research you find the truth lays itself out.
@@gabebishop2646 Yeah, the man who generously paroled two rebel armies that surrendered to him was bloodthirsty. LOL! Let me guess, you also don't believe the Southern states seceded over slavery despite several states' articles of secession stating such?
Well, Ulysses S Grant did win the Civil War. He doesn’t deserve that rank. Grant had little to no knowledge about tactics or leading an army. He was terrible leader that regularly just threw men at solid defenses not giving a shit how many died as long as they won. His men hated him because he treated them like shit and he was an alcoholic that was heavily intoxicated throughout the civil war.
@@VloggingThroughHistory I guess it depends on what source you read. Some of what I said is an opinion, and some are debated by history academics, but none of it is strictly untrue. First, not deserving that rank is strictly my opinion. Second, Grant's entire tactical repertoire during the civil war was to attack the Confederates on all sides, continuously, over and over and over, until they ran out of men and resources and were forced to surrender because he knew he had more soldiers, more weapons, more food, and more supplies. Actually, this might have been the only genius thing he did as it was the only way the North could have won, considering all the well-trained soldiers, officers, and great military minds of the time joined the Confederacy. The reason he became a general was that none of the previous ones were willing to sacrifice their troops in such a way. As for the second point about alcoholism, he was originally forced to retire from the army for being caught intoxicated while on duty (which even today can be considered the military equivalent of a felony). During the civil war, he was accused of being drunk not only on duty but during battles by his soldiers, other officers, and congressmen. He was defended by Lincoln which was no surprise because as i said earlier he was the only northern general that could win battles.
@EpicMRPancake it's considered equivalent to the rank of fleet admiral, so it's at least a 5 star rank. Dewey is the only one to ever reach the rank and he is considered the most senior in naval history. The fleet admiral rank was created in 1944 as the new 5 star rank. Dewey died in 1917 and the rank was created for him in 1899.
I’m not sure if you have seen or heard of the History channel documentary behind Grant. It’s of the same name and I managed to watch some bits and pieces of it and I was impressed by it
What statistic would that be? Jackson, for example, had a pretty mixed record. He was awful in the Seven Days and at Fredericksburg. The only battles he won in the Valley Campaign were the ones where he outnumbered his enemy. Honestly, his only real moment of brilliance was Chancellorsville and that was only possible because of Union incompetence.
The Generals of the Armies of the Universe States should now be matched by the creation of the Fleet Admirals of the United States (other titles may be suggested for a hypothetical 6-star Admiral) I would recommend Admiral King, Admiral Nimitz, and while he was never an admiral within the U.S. Navy, his lasting influence on the traditions, attitudes, and core values of the U.S. Navy would warrant a promotion for Captain John Paul Jones.
Now, what I read was, that J.J. Pershing was congerred as "General of the Armies" a simulated "6-Star" rank. And not to let anyone outrank George Washington, he was posthumously promoted to "General of the Armies", but was conferred a "7-Star" rank, as he was the First Cimmanding General of the US Army at the time, and no one wanted any other officer to outrank him. His status, was meant to say he commanded "All" military branches in the US. If I am wrong, please correct any mistakes I made.
The thing I find perplexing is, Eisenhower at the outbreak of WWII was a Lieutenant Colonel and was promoted to the temporary rank of Colonel in 1941 ! Then 2 1/2 years later he was sporting the rank of "Four Star General" ! I'll bet that chapped some asses in and among the ranks !
Be My Little General. It's how we remember. Brigadier General. Major General. Lieutenant General and General. One two three and four stars respectively.
Well, good! The man was a great soldier, and a good man. In case you don't know, Grant spent the last part of his life writing his autobiography so that his family would have the income from the book sales. Grant's memoirs are available online for free. I found it a fascinating read.
General of the army is 5 star, general of the armies is 6 equivalent. Both are only available slots during a declaration of total war when military size is massively expanded they are promotions of necessity for command and control purposes in those circumstances only
Makes sense, give it to the man who gave us the union, and to the man who kept the union together. I don't know who Pershing was, but I gotta assume he did great things.
You can tour his childhood home as well at Grant's Farm just outside of St. Louis, Missouri. They've got animals and such you can feed and pet so it's great for kiddos as well. We go every year
You know this reminded me awhile ago I think it was in one of your Atun-Shei reactions you mentioned a what if Napoleon was born in the South and was of age for the Civil War lol. I’m wondering how you think it would change if Napoleon or a general as skilled as him was on the Southern side, what it might change and maybe if Napoleon was to go against Grant who would win. The Emperor of the French Vs the newly anointed General of the Armies
Unlike most Southern generals, Napoleon was strategically minded and had a good head for logistics. He wouldn't have thrown men away to color a useless corner of the map his color. Though he could misjudge and overextend (see Russia).
According to Wikipedia, Pershing was allowed to have four gold stars 🌟🌟🌟 🌟 , to distinguish himself from other four-star Generals. When the rank of five-star General of the Army in 1944, the language of the legislation stated that Pershing outranked the five-stars (Marshall, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Arnold). When Washington got promoted to General of the Armies, the date of his promotion was retroactively given to him effective in 1976. This would make him, senior in rank, to Pershing.
