Short answer
The rarest rank in the US Army is General of the Armies. Only two people have held it: John J. Pershing, who received the rank in 1919, and George Washington, who was given the title posthumously in 1976.
Two similar titles
Two titles with similar names cause most of the confusion:
- General of the Army is the five-star rank. Four Army officers held it: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley. Henry “Hap” Arnold, who led the Army Air Forces, also held five-star rank.
- General of the Armies is a separate title, generally treated as higher than the five-star rank. Only Pershing and Washington have held it.
If you are comparing the two, check the exact title on the source. Many articles mix them up.
Why these ranks are so rare
The five-star rank was created during the Second World War for wartime leadership. Very few officers have held it, and it has not been used in the same way since. The title General of the Armies is rarer still, because only two people have held it.
Sergeant Major of the Army
Sergeant Major of the Army is a position, not a rank. It is the senior enlisted adviser role, and holders are chosen for that post. Its place among the E-9 grades is shown in the guide to US Army chevrons. It is often mistaken for a rank, so do not count it when looking for the rarest rank.
A rough German comparison
Germany’s highest army rank was Generalfeldmarschall (field marshal). Comparing a German rank with a US rank is approximate, because each country’s rank system is built differently. For the German rank structure, see our overview of German army uniforms and ranks.
Where to see rank insignia
Rank insignia on period uniforms differ by army, era and service; the insignia shape of a major is one example of how a US officer’s device is read. If you are identifying a specific uniform, compare it with a reliable reference for that army and year. Museum collections and official publications are the best starting points.