George Washington Gets a Promotion... 200 years late
On this day, October 11th of 1976 (34 years ago) George Washington was posthumously promoted to the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, the highest rank in the Army. The promotion was part of the United States bicentennial celebration, and was effected by congressional joint resolution Public Law 94-479 which was approved by President Gerald R. Ford on this day.
Since his death, Washington had been listed on the United States Army rolls as a retired Lieutenant General. Washington retired as a Lieutenant General, which lets the holder of the rank wear three stars. Technically he was out ranked by later four and five star generals from the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
In recognition of George Washington's place in history, on 11 October 1976 George Washington was posthumously promoted to the full grade of General of the Armies of the United States by Executive Order of President Gerald R. Ford. The promotion was authorized by a congressional joint resolution on 19 January 1976, which recommended Washington's promotion and further declared that George Washington shall always be the most senior United States military officer, forever outranking any and all other military officers.
Here is how the congressional resolution read:
"Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington of Virginia commanded our armies throughout and to the successful termination of our Revolutionary War; Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington presided over the convention that formulated our Constitution; Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington twice served as President of the United States of America; and Whereas it is considered fitting and proper that no officer of the United States Army should outrank Lieutenant General George Washington on the Army list; Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That
(a) for purposes of subsection (b) of this section only, the grade of General of the Armies of the United States is established, such grade to have rank and precedence over all other grades of the Army, past or present.
(b) The President is authorized and requested to appoint George Washington posthumously to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States, such appointment to take effect on July 4, 1976.
Approved October 11, 1976.
Public Law 94-479"
Since his death, Washington had been listed on the United States Army rolls as a retired Lieutenant General. Washington retired as a Lieutenant General, which lets the holder of the rank wear three stars. Technically he was out ranked by later four and five star generals from the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
In recognition of George Washington's place in history, on 11 October 1976 George Washington was posthumously promoted to the full grade of General of the Armies of the United States by Executive Order of President Gerald R. Ford. The promotion was authorized by a congressional joint resolution on 19 January 1976, which recommended Washington's promotion and further declared that George Washington shall always be the most senior United States military officer, forever outranking any and all other military officers.
Here is how the congressional resolution read:
"Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington of Virginia commanded our armies throughout and to the successful termination of our Revolutionary War; Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington presided over the convention that formulated our Constitution; Whereas Lieutenant General George Washington twice served as President of the United States of America; and Whereas it is considered fitting and proper that no officer of the United States Army should outrank Lieutenant General George Washington on the Army list; Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That
(a) for purposes of subsection (b) of this section only, the grade of General of the Armies of the United States is established, such grade to have rank and precedence over all other grades of the Army, past or present.
(b) The President is authorized and requested to appoint George Washington posthumously to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States, such appointment to take effect on July 4, 1976.
Approved October 11, 1976.
Public Law 94-479"