George Washington’s posthumous promotion to General of the Armies

George Washington’s posthumous promotion to General of the Armies: Ensuring his legacy as the nation’s highest-ranking military officer

Introduction

George Washington’s military legacy is unparalleled in American history. As the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the first president of the United States, Washington set the standard for leadership, patriotism, and duty to country. His influence on the development of the U.S. military and government remains profound. However, an important posthumous recognition of his service came in the 20th century, when Washington was officially promoted to the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, ensuring that no future military officer could ever outrank him.

This essay explores the historical context, the process that led to Washington’s posthumous promotion, and the significance of this unique honor.

Historical context: Washington’s military leadership

Before delving into the details of Washington’s posthumous promotion, it is essential to understand the importance of his military role.

Washington led the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, guiding the fledgling American forces to victory against Great Britain, the world’s most powerful military force at the time. His strategic acumen, resilience, and ability to maintain the morale of his troops through hardships such as the winter at Valley Forge, earned him widespread admiration. Following the war, Washington willingly relinquished power, resigning his commission in 1783 - an act that reinforced the principles of civilian control over the military.

During his presidency (1789-1797), Washington played a key role in shaping the military and the emerging federal government. His voluntary departure from office set another crucial precedent, reinforcing the democratic principle of peaceful transitions of power.

Washington’s military career concluded in 1798 when President John Adams appointed him as Lieutenant General and Commander of the U.S. Army during the Quasi-War with France. However, his service in that role was largely ceremonial, and he died in 1799 before seeing active engagement.

The rank of General of the Armies and its history

The highest military rank in the U.S. at the time of Washington’s death was Lieutenant General, the three-star rank he had held since 1798. However, as the U.S. military expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries, higher ranks were introduced.

During World War I, General John J. Pershing was awarded the title General of the Armies in 1919. Though Pershing wore four stars, his rank was considered superior to the newly created five-star rank of General of the Army during World War II. Nonetheless, because the specifics of Pershing’s rank were never fully clarified, some ambiguity remained regarding the hierarchy of military leadership in U.S. history.

To prevent any future officer from outranking Washington, Congress sought to formally establish him as the highest-ranking military figure in perpetuity.

The legislative process of Washington’s posthumous promotion

The process of granting Washington the title of General of the Armies of the United States officially began in the 1970s, as part of the nation’s bicentennial preparations. Recognizing Washington’s unmatched contributions to the country, lawmakers aimed to symbolically reaffirm his supreme status within the military hierarchy.

The 1976 Joint Resolution

On October 11, 1976, Congress passed Public Law 94-479, which posthumously promoted George Washington to General of the Armies of the United States. The legislation stated:

“In order to commemorate the bicentennial of the United States of America and to recognize the unique contributions of General George Washington to the historic foundation of the United States, it is considered fitting and proper that no officer of the United States Army should outrank Lieutenant General George Washington on the Army list.”

The law granted Washington this rank retroactively to July 4, 1976, ensuring that he would forever remain the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. military.

Presidential approval and implementation

The resolution was signed into law by President Gerald Ford, who fully endorsed the decision as a tribute to Washington’s legacy. Though purely symbolic, this act solidified Washington’s preeminence in the military chain of command, ensuring that no future general, regardless of title, would ever outrank him.

The symbolism and legacy of Washington’s promotion

The posthumous promotion of George Washington to General of the Armies of the United States carried profound symbolic meaning.

Recognition of leadership and service

The promotion reaffirmed Washington’s role as the father of the American military and nation. His leadership during the Revolutionary War, presidency, and beyond established the foundation upon which the country’s military and government were built.

Precedent for military hierarchy

By granting Washington an unmatchable rank, Congress ensured that his military status remained unchallenged in American history. This act symbolized the enduring respect and admiration for his leadership.

Bicentennial commemoration

The timing of the promotion, coinciding with the U.S. bicentennial, reflected a broader effort to honor and reflect on the country’s founding principles.

Civilian control of the military

Washington’s legacy exemplifies the principle of civilian supremacy over the military, a cornerstone of American democracy. His promotion reinforced this ideal, as no future military leader could claim superiority over the first president, who voluntarily relinquished power.

Conclusion

George Washington’s posthumous promotion to General of the Armies of the United States was a fitting tribute to his unparalleled contributions to American history. By ensuring that no officer would ever outrank him, the U.S. government reaffirmed his status as the nation’s foremost military leader. This act, though symbolic, underscored the profound respect for Washington’s service and his role in shaping the United States.

Through this honor, Washington’s legacy as the ultimate American general and statesman remains unchallenged, securing his place at the pinnacle of U.S. military history.

Myles Keogh

Myles Keogh and the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876

An Irish warrior that fought for the Pope in Italy and then came to the United States to fight for the Union in the Civil War (1861-65), including at Gettysburg. Met his death at just 36 years old fighting Sioux and Cheyenne warriors in Montana at what became famously known as Custer's Last Stand, and then had his remains shipped to New York for burial. Here's his incredible story.

Growing up as a kid, I was quite the history buff. Even though I was on my way to eventually becoming a total slacker in high school, something I don't recommend, I loved to learn as much as I could about a variety of historical eras and events. I loved to play baseball in the street or at the park with my friends, and I played little league for several years (I didn't play high school sports because, again, I was a slacker). But just as much as I loved to play the game, I loved to learn all I could about the history of the game. I was particularly fascinated by the 1900s-1910s era. I loved the designs and artwork of the baseball cards and advertisements from that period. I knew all about the lives and careers of legends like Christy Mathewson, Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Cy Young, Eddie Plank, and my personal favorite because of his wild and unpredictable behavior - Rube Waddell.

For a period of time, I was fascinated with World War II history, and I had a strong interest in the aircraft used in the war - the various bombers and fighters. I wrote on this blog that I recently rediscovered a documentary from 1944 about the amazing accomplishments of the crew of the Memphis Belle, a B-17 bomber that flew bombing missions over Germany from its base in England. I included the full documentary and several clips from a 1990 Hollywood movie about the crew in that post, which you can check out here.

And then there was the period in 2nd-3rd grade where I learned all I could about both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, prompted by seeing my dad's 1976 high school yearbook, the year he graduated. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of American independence, the yearbook featured a section showcasing all the major flags flown in or by the country - flags of individual colonies prior to and during the Revolution; the Confederate flag and its major variants; various battle flags used over the centuries; state flags; and a series of official U.S. flags that showed its evolution leading up to what we now know as its current design. 
 
Finally, getting to the main topic of this post, there was also a period growing up where I learned all I could about what's generally and collectively referred to as the Indian Wars - the various battles and skirmishes that took place out West between the U.S. Army's Cavalry and various Native American tribes after the Civil War. This interest all began when my parents, sister, and myself headed out West on a road trip one summer. I forget how old I was at the time, but I would have been in middle school. We visited Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota; stopped at multiple roadside markers pointing out U.S. - Indian battle sites; ventured into Wyoming for a couple of days; and went into Yellowstone National Park, albeit very briefly due to lack of time. But the highlight of the trip for me was our visit to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana, site of the June 25-26, 1876 battle and home to a national cemetery for veterans of all wars.

I remember the site being very quiet. It was very peaceful and solemn. It was the perfect place for thinking; for reflecting and just letting your mind wander. Had it not been for all the markers and fences indicating where soldiers and Native warriors had fallen, you wouldn't know that a bloody massacre had taken place there some 120 years (at the time I went there) prior. It was that quiet. I'd love to visit there again someday.

Myles Keogh

Recently, I rekindled my interest in the battle and in that historical period in general. But I came across a "new" character - Myles Keogh, a captain in the battle. Keogh led the men of the U.S. 7th Cavalry's Company I. Now, if I heard of Keogh's name so many years ago, it didn't stick with me. See, as a kid, I remember learning all about the roles of Captain Frederick Benteen (who led companies H, D, and K); Major Marcus Reno (who led companies A, G, and M); and of course, Lt. Col. George Custer, the famed "boy general" of the Civil War, so named because he was made a general at the age of 23. They were certainly the bigger names in the battle on the U.S. side, and a lot has been written about them. Benteen and Reno survived the battle, and Reno went on to face accusations of being a coward for many years after, including by Custer's wife, Elizabeth. Custer, of course, along with all the men he directly commanded in the battle, fell to their deaths. Well, Keogh, it turns out, met the same fate.

As I recently started to learn about Myles Keogh and his brief yet extraordinary military career, I thought to myself simply, "Wow..." Here's a man that met his death at the young age of 36 - my age as I write this - and had, in his short career, left Ireland to fight for Pope Pius IX in defense of the Papal States during the [re]unification of Italy; came to the United States to fight for the Union during the Civil War, surviving major battles like Gettysburg, to name just one; headed out West afterward to participate in the Indian Wars; fights and dies bravely in perhaps the most fabled battle in U.S. history; and then has his remains shipped back to New York for burial.

Myles Keogh in 1872.

It's said that Keogh's body was found stripped of its clothing, but not mutilated, as many fallen soldiers were. There are a couple of theories surrounding this. A devout Roman Catholic, Keogh wore an Agnus Dei (that's Latin for "Lamb of God") on a chain around his neck, and the Indian warriors may have viewed this as powerful "medicine." Another theory, tying into this one, holds that many of the Indian fighters were simply Catholic themselves.

Keogh's horse, Comanche, though badly wounded in the battle, survived and would go on to live another 15 years, dying in 1891. He became a mascot of sorts for the 7th Cavalry after the battle, and he is currently housed at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum. He is stuffed and in a humidity-controlled glass case.

Read all about Keogh's extraordinary life and career in this Wikipedia article, and check out the two videos immediately below pulled from YouTube. The third video, also from YouTube, is a news clip from 2015 talking about the battle in general and visiting the site.