How many 1 star generals are there?
Asked by: Adriel Rippin | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (18 votes)
There are hundreds of 1-star generals (Brigadier Generals/Rear Admirals Lower Half) in the U.S. military, with recent figures showing around 388 across all services as of late 2023, including over 250 in the Army, close to 150 in the Air Force, and dozens in the Navy, Marines, and Space Force, though numbers fluctuate with active duty needs.
How much does a 1 star general make a year?
As of Jan 15, 2026, the average annual pay for a Brigadier General in the United States is $96,229 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $46.26 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,850/week or $8,019/month.
How many active 3 star generals are there?
There are currently 152 active-duty three-star officers in the uniformed services of the United States.
Who was the first 5 star general?
The first 5-star general was George C.
Pershing. He served as the Chief of Staff for the United States Army from 1939 to 1945 when he was the mastermind behind the strategy of the United States and Allied forces in World War II.
Who is the only 6 star general?
Gene Schwartz A 6-star general is a common, informal term for the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, the highest possible rank in the U.S. Army. This rank has been bestowed upon only three individuals: John J. Pershing, George Washington (posthumously), and Ulysses S. Grant (posthumously).
Every Five-Star General in American History, Part 1
Who was the first 7 star general?
No person have ever been awarded or promoted to a seven-star rank, although some commentators might argue that General George Washington posthumously became a seven-star general in 1976 (see Part Seven).
Are any 5 star generals alive today?
There are no current 5-star generals or admirals in the U.S. military; this rank, used primarily in World War II for General of the Army, Fleet Admiral, and General of the Air Force, is inactive, with the last holder, Omar Bradley, retiring in the 1950s, though the ranks technically exist, with a higher, largely symbolic "General of the Armies of the United States" reserved for figures like Washington and Pershing. The highest active ranks are 4-star generals, with specific caps on their numbers across services.
Who is considered the best general ever?
It's too difficult to declare any one person as the greatest general of all time, but few would have a stronger claim than Napoleon Bonaparte, the minor Corsican noble who became Emperor of France and defined an entire era of warfare.
Was George Patton ever a five star general?
No, George S. Patton was not a five-star general; he was promoted to a four-star general, a rank he held at the end of World War II, but he never received the rare five-star rank (General of the Army). The five-star rank was created for top commanders during the war to match Allied Field Marshal ranks, with only a few, like Marshall, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Arnold, and Bradley, achieving it.
Who is the youngest general in the USA?
Pennypacker, I. R. (1917) Galusha Pennypacker: Brigadier General and Brevet Major General, United States Volunteers, Brigadier General and Brevet Major General, United States Army, America's youngest general . Philadelphia: Christopher Sower Co.
Who is the black 4 star general?
General Michael E. Langley made history as the first Black four-star general in the Marine Corps on August 6, 2022. After 37 years of service, he now leads U.S. Africa Command, breaking barriers and setting a powerful example for diversity in the military.
Do generals outrank admirals?
Now generally, a General and an Admiral are the same rank. At least in the US military. However there are tiers to Admirals and Generals, but they're all referred to as Admirals or Generals in shorthand baring when needing to figure out seniority/authority on an issue.
What is the most elite unit in the Marines?
The most elite Marine unit is generally considered the Marine Raiders (MARSOC), the Marine Corps' contribution to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), specializing in direct action, special reconnaissance, and foreign internal defense globally. Another highly specialized group is the Force Reconnaissance (Force RECON), focused on deep reconnaissance, surveillance, and direct action raids, providing critical intelligence for large-scale operations. Both operate at the sharpest edge of military capability, but the Raiders are the primary SOF force for USSOCOM missions.
What pension does a 4 star general get?
This means that a four-star general or admiral with 40 years of service will receive about $237,144 a year during retirement. That's $50,000 more than he or she would have received while on active duty. (Previously, generals and admirals' pensions were capped at 75 percent of their pay).
What is an admirals salary?
An Admiral's salary in the U.S. Navy varies significantly by rank (O-10 is common) and experience, with a four-star Admiral's basic pay starting around $18,500 monthly (over $220k annually) but total compensation, including allowances for housing (BAH) and subsistence (BAS), can reach $250,000 - $300,000+ per year, with higher figures for most senior officers, far exceeding basic pay estimates.
What's the highest paid job in the Army?
The highest-paying jobs in the Army aren't just about rank but specialty, with Pilots, Special Forces (Green Berets), and certain Cyber/Signals Intelligence roles (like 35N) leading to high earnings through base pay, bonuses, and allowances, with senior officers (O-10) earning the most base pay; while advanced medical roles (physicians) can also command significant pay.
Who was the most feared U.S. general in WWII?
General George S. Patton Jr. was widely considered the most feared and respected U.S. general by the German High Command during World War II, known for his aggressive tactics, bold armored assaults, and ability to turn chaos into victory, though some historians note his reputation was partly due to a masterful disinformation campaign regarding D-Day. German commanders like Erwin Rommel called him "that crazy American general," and they closely tracked his movements, expecting him to lead major offensives.
Who are the only 6 star generals in U.S. history?
So yes, there is an equivalent of a six-star general rank on the books in the US Military, but it has only been given to two people in history: John J. Pershing and George Washington, Generals of the Armies of the United States of America.
Who had higher rank, Bradley or Patton?
Omar Bradley was the higher-ranked officer, achieving the five-star rank of General of the Army in 1950, while George S. Patton remained a four-star General. During WWII, Bradley commanded the Twelfth Army Group, making him Patton's superior as commander of the Third Army, though Patton was often more famous for his aggressive frontline leadership.
What general never lost a battle?
Several generals are renowned for never losing a battle, with Khalid ibn al-Walid (7th-century Islamic general) often cited as the most famous undefeated commander, leading over 100 battles without defeat; other notable examples include Russia's Alexander Suvorov, China's Bai Qi, and the American Civil War's George H. Thomas, all known for their extensive records of unbroken victory.
Are there any female generals in history?
Ann E. Dunwoody is the first woman four-star general in military history and the first woman to lead a major Army command.
Who is the deadliest general in history?
The Ten Worst Generals in the History of Warfare
- 1 Quintus Servilius Caepio. Arausio, 105 BC: Rome's Worst Military Defeat (Documentary)
- 2 Antonio López de Santa Anna. Santa Anna: Mexico's Man of Destiny. ...
- 3 Francisco Solano López. ...
- 4 Gideon Pillow. ...
- 5 Pierre de Villeneuve. ...
- 6 Erich Ludendorff. ...
- 7 George McClellan. ...
- 8 William Hull. ...
Who was the best U.S. general ever?
There's no single "greatest," but George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, George S. Patton, and Winfield Scott are consistently ranked among America's top generals for leading armies to victory, shaping military strategy, and achieving monumental tasks, from founding the nation to winning World Wars and preserving the Union.
What is the salary of a U.S. general?
As of Jan 4, 2026, the average annual pay for an Us Army General in the United States is $96,229 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $46.26 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,850/week or $8,019/month.
Who was the youngest U.S. general?
Galusha Pennypacker. The record for the youngest ever general in US history is still held by Galusha Pennypacker, promoted to the rank of brigadier-general in 1865 at the age of 20. Galusha was 16 when the American Civil War kicked off in April 1861 and he wasted no time in joining his local militia in Pennsylvania.