Which American received the honorary rank of General of the Armies on July 4, 1976?

George Washington received the honorary rank of General of the Armies on July 4, 1976.

Congress acted through Public Law 94-479, which appointed Washington posthumously to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States. The appointment became effective on the Bicentennial, exactly 200 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

The law specified that Washington would rank first among all officers of the Army, past and present. The honor recognized his leadership as commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and his unique place in U.S. military history.

John J. Pershing is the other person commonly associated with the title General of the Armies. Pershing received the rank during his lifetime in 1919, so he is a tempting alternative. Washington’s 1976 appointment was posthumous and deliberately placed him above every other Army officer.