List of major generals in the United States Regular Army before July 1, 1920
Encyclopedia
This is a complete list of major general
s in the United States Regular Army before July 1, 1920.
For most of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the rank
of major general was the highest possible in the Regular Army. It was also one of the rarest: until 1915, there were at most eight major generals on active duty at any given time. Even when the Army expanded during times of war, the number of Regular Army major generals remained relatively constant because instead of increasing the permanent military establishment to meet transient wartime needs, the Regular Army was used as a cadre for a vast non-permanent establishment of volunteer
and conscript
forces. Many of the most famous major generals of the American Civil War
held that rank only in the volunteer service, and reverted to a much lower permanent grade in the Regular Army when the volunteer force was disbanded after the war.
The number of Regular Army major generals increased dramatically when the Army was reorganized after World War I
. The new peacetime establishment maintained a total of 34 active-duty major generals, including 21 major generals of the line
and 13 major generals of the staff. The reorganization took effect on July 1, 1920.
There were three types of major generals in the Regular Army:
Major generals in the non-permanent or non-federal establishments included the following:
In addition, honorary brevet
ranks of major general were conferred in several organizations in recognition of gallant wartime conduct.
Entries are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was appointed to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty. Each entry lists the officer's name; date of rank; date the officer vacated the active-duty rank; number of years on active duty as major general (Yrs); and other biographical notes.
The list is sortable by active-duty appointment order, last name, date of rank, date vacated, and number of years on active duty as major general.
) and 10 major generals of the staff: the Quartermaster General (Q.m.Gen.), the Surgeon General (Surg.Gen.), the Chief of Coast Artillery (C.of C.A.), the Adjutant General (Adj.Gen.), the Inspector General (Insp.Gen.), the Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.), the Chief of Engineers (C.of Eng.
), the Chief of Ordnance (C.of Ord.), the Chief Signal Officer (C.S.O.), and the Chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs (C.of B.I.A.
).
An officer held the permanent grade of major general (Maj.gen.
) until his death; retirement; or promotion to a higher permanent grade such as lieutenant general (Lt.gen.
), general (Gen.
), or General of the Armies (Gen.Armies). Staff or brevet appointments to lieutenant general (Lt.gen.*
) or general did not vacate the officer's permanent grade of major general; nor did appointments as major general of volunteers or in the National Army (vols.
), or as emergency lieutenant general or general.
The first major general in the Regular Army was Arthur St. Clair
, who was appointed in 1791 to prosecute the Northwest Indian War
. After the disastrous Battle of the Wabash
, St. Clair was replaced by Anthony Wayne
, who successfully concluded the war in 1795. Wayne died in December 1796 and the grade of major general was abolished three months later.
with France
. As part of the buildup, Congress authorized a lieutenant general, two major generals, and an inspector general and a quartermaster general with the rank of major general. Only one of the two line major general slots was ultimately filled; the other was declined by Henry Knox
, who refused to be outranked by the designated inspector general, Alexander Hamilton
, who had been junior to Knox in the Continental Army
during the American Revolutionary War
. The President was also authorized to temporarily augment the Regular Army with a Provisional Army, but it was never fully organized. When tensions eased, the Provisional Army was disbanded and the maximum Regular Army rank was again reduced to brigadier general.
The grade of major general was revived permanently when the military establishment expanded in anticipation of the War of 1812
. The first two major generals were Revolutionary War veterans Henry Dearborn
and Thomas Pinckney
. After a year of defeats, Dearborn was relieved and four more major generals were appointed: James Wilkinson
, Wade Hampton
, Morgan Lewis
, and William Henry Harrison
. A year later, all four had been court-martialled, sidelined, or driven to resign, and George Izard, Jacob J. Brown
, and Andrew Jackson
were promoted in their place.
After the war, the number of major generals was reduced to two, Brown and Jackson. In 1821 Congress eliminated the second major generalcy and Jackson departed the Army to become governor of Florida, leaving Brown to become the first Commanding General of the Army
. When Brown died in 1828, the Army's two brigadier generals, Winfield Scott
and Edmund P. Gaines
, waged such a bitter public campaign for the vacant major generalcy that the President passed them both over in favor of Alexander Macomb. Macomb died in 1841 and was succeeded by Scott.
. After the outbreak of hostilities in 1846, Congress temporarily authorized a second major general on the condition that he be immediately discharged upon the ratification of a peace treaty, and the Army's three brigadier generals were passed over in favor of Zachary Taylor
, victor at Palo Alto
and Resaca de la Palma
. Two more major generals were authorized the following year on the same basis, Gideon J. Pillow
and John A. Quitman
. After the war, the extra major generals were duly discharged and Scott again became the Army's only major general. Scott was breveted lieutenant general in 1855 but continued to occupy the substantive grade of major general until he retired in 1861.
During the American Civil War
, the bulk of the Union Army
was composed of volunteer forces raised by individual states and led by dozens of federally appointed major generals of volunteers. The Regular Army itself was authorized a total of five major generals. Three of the new vacancies were filled immediately by former Regular Army officers George B. McClellan
, John C. Frémont
, and Henry W. Halleck
, while Regular Army brigadier general John E. Wool
was promoted for capturing Norfolk, Virginia
, during the Peninsular Campaign. Subsequent appointments were reserved as prizes for major generals of volunteers who won decisive battlefield victories: Ulysses S. Grant
for Vicksburg
, William T. Sherman
for Atlanta
, George G. Meade
for Spotsylvania, Philip H. Sheridan
for Cedar Creek
, and George H. Thomas
for Nashville
.
When the volunteers were disbanded after the war, its Regular Army officers reverted to their permanent grades. Many of the most famous Union Army major generals had been appointed to that rank only in the volunteer service and did not achieve the equivalent grade in the Regular Army until years or decades later, if ever. For example, upon mustering out of the volunteers in 1869, Oliver O. Howard
reverted to his permanent Regular Army grade of colonel and had to wait until 1886 to again be promoted to major general; while George A. Custer
never regained his wartime rank in the Regular Army and died as a lieutenant colonel. Of the dozens of major generals of volunteers who lost their temporary ranks after the Civil War, only nine ever attained the permanent grade of major general in the Regular Army before they retired.
After the Civil War, promotions in the Regular Army virtually ceased due to the reduction in the size of the Army and the youth of its remaining officers. The postwar Army had only three major generalcies, which initially were held by officers whose rapid wartime promotions had advanced them to high command at such a young age that they could occupy the coveted grade for decades, obstructing further promotions. For example, John M. Schofield
held his major generalcy for nearly 26 years, and Winfield S. Hancock
for nearly twenty.
To unblock the promotion flow, Congress mandated in 1882 that officers must retire at age 64, but could retire sooner if they had at least forty years of service. Because officers nearing the age limit could now conveniently select their exit dates to coincide with vacancies in higher grades, it became common to fill each vacancy with a parade of aging veterans who would each be promoted and immediately retired with the higher rank and retired pay, as a reward for past service. In January 1904, for example, a single vacant major generalcy hosted five officers in five days, each of the first four in turn being promoted and then retired after only one day in grade to clear the way for the next. Congress blocked this practice in 1906 by requiring that general officers serve at least one year before being allowed to retire at that rank, except for age or disability.
Officers in the Regular Army were classified either as line officer
s, who commanded combat formations, or staff officers, who performed specialized support functions. Permanent promotions to general officer grades were only available in the line. Staff officers could temporarily acquire the rank and pay of a general officer while detailed to certain offices designated by statute to carry that rank, such as chief of a staff bureau, but reverted to their permanent grades upon leaving such an office. Officers holding the permanent personal grade of general officer were called general officers of the line, while general officers holding only temporary ex-officio rank were called general officers of the staff.
For most of the nineteenth century, general officers of the staff were limited to the rank of brigadier general, but in 1900 the rank of the Adjutant General was temporarily increased to major general for the term of its then-incumbent, Henry C. Corbin
. In 1904 Corbin transferred to a line command but retained the office of Adjutant General and its associated rank. In his absence, the Adjutant General's Department was merged with the Record and Pension Office into a consolidated bureau headed by Fred C. Ainsworth
, who was appointed Military Secretary with the rank of major general. The Military Secretary was retitled Adjutant General after Corbin retired in 1906, and the office's rank reverted to brigadier general when Ainsworth was dismissed in 1912.
Major generals of the staff proliferated after 1912, when the Quartermaster Corps was created under a Quartermaster General bearing the temporary rank of major general. The Surgeon General reached that rank in 1915 when William C. Gorgas
was appointed to that post and promoted to major general in the Medical Department to reward his service during the construction of the Panama Canal
. The Chief of Coast Artillery became a major general of the staff in 1916. Finally, every other chief of a staff corps, department, or bureau was elevated to major general on October 6, 1917.
in April 1917, the President was authorized to raise a temporary force of volunteers and conscripts, initially dubbed the National Army and later referred to as the non-permanent establishment of the United States Army after the Regular Army, National Army, and federalized National Guard were unified on August 7, 1918. Congress also granted authority to add an appropriate number of general officers to each organization "for the period of the existing emergency," which at first was used only for temporary appointments to major general and brigadier general in the National Army, but was later construed to allow emergency appointments to general and lieutenant general in the Regular Army. In July 1918 an emergency major general was authorized for service abroad as Assistant Surgeon General with the American Expeditionary Force
; Merritte W. Ireland
was appointed, followed by Robert E. Noble when Ireland became Surgeon General later that year. In contrast to the temporary general officers of the National Army or unified United States Army, emergency general officers were considered part of the permanent establishment. All emergency and temporary commissions expired with the wartime legislation on June 30, 1920.
After the war the Army was reorganized and the new peacetime establishment was authorized 21 major generals of the line, more than doubling the previous number, plus 13 major generals of the staff, including the newly created Chiefs of Infantry, Cavalry, and Field Artillery. The reorganization took effect on July 1, 1920.
directly pertaining to appointments to the grade of major general in the Regular Army. It does not include legislation pertaining solely to appointments to that grade in the non-permanent establishment, or by brevet.
Each entry lists an act of Congress, its citation in the United States Statutes at Large
, the total number of active-duty major generals authorized subsequent to the act, the subsequent number of active-duty major generals of the line, the subsequent number of active-duty major generals of the staff, and a summary of the act's relevance.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
s in the United States Regular Army before July 1, 1920.
For most of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
of major general was the highest possible in the Regular Army. It was also one of the rarest: until 1915, there were at most eight major generals on active duty at any given time. Even when the Army expanded during times of war, the number of Regular Army major generals remained relatively constant because instead of increasing the permanent military establishment to meet transient wartime needs, the Regular Army was used as a cadre for a vast non-permanent establishment of volunteer
Military volunteer
A military volunteer is a person who enlists in military service by free will, and is not a mercenary or a foreign legionaire. Volunteers often enlist to fight in the armed forces of a foreign country. Military volunteers are essential for the operation of volunteer militaries.Many armies,...
and conscript
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
forces. Many of the most famous major generals of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
held that rank only in the volunteer service, and reverted to a much lower permanent grade in the Regular Army when the volunteer force was disbanded after the war.
The number of Regular Army major generals increased dramatically when the Army was reorganized after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The new peacetime establishment maintained a total of 34 active-duty major generals, including 21 major generals of the line
Line officer
In the United States armed forces, the term line officer or officer of the line refers to an officer who is trained for command — that is, to be the commanding officer of a warship, ground combat unit, combat aviation unit, or combat support unit....
and 13 major generals of the staff. The reorganization took effect on July 1, 1920.
Taxonomy
Historically, the United States Army included two components: the permanently established Regular Army, which constituted the peacetime force; and, during time of war, a much larger non-permanent establishment comprising various volunteer, conscript, and federalized state forces.There were three types of major generals in the Regular Army:
- A major general of the line was an officer who was commissioned in the permanent grade of major general and therefore maintained that rank regardless of assignment.
- A major general of the staff was an officer who held the temporary rank of major general only while occupying an office designated by statute to carry that rank, and who reverted to a lower permanent grade upon relinquishing that office.
- An emergency major general was an officer whose Regular Army rank of major general was authorized only during the World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
emergency, which expired on June 30, 1920.
Major generals in the non-permanent or non-federal establishments included the following:
- A major general of militia was appointed or elected to that rank in one of the state militiaMilitia (United States)The role of militia, also known as military service and duty, in the United States is complex and has transformed over time.Spitzer, Robert J.: The Politics of Gun Control, Page 36. Chatham House Publishers, Inc., 1995. " The term militia can be used to describe any number of groups within the...
forces. - A major general of levies was appointed to that rank in the six-month levies raised during the Northwest Indian WarNorthwest Indian WarThe Northwest Indian War , also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names, was a war fought between the United States and a confederation of numerous American Indian tribes for control of the Northwest Territory...
. - A major general of volunteers was appointed to that rank in the United States Volunteers during the War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, the Mexican WarMexican–American WarThe Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
, the Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, or the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. - A major general in the Provisional Army was appointed to that rank in the Provisional Army authorized during the Quasi-WarQuasi-WarThe Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought mostly at sea between the United States and French Republic from 1798 to 1800. In the United States, the conflict was sometimes also referred to as the Franco-American War, the Pirate Wars, or the Half-War.-Background:The Kingdom of France had been a...
. - A major general in the National Guard was appointed to that rank in one of the state National Guard forces.
- A major general in the National Army was appointed to that rank in the National Army during World War I before August 7, 1918, when the Regular Army, the National Army, and the federalized National Guard were unified into a single United States Army.
- A temporary major general was appointed to that rank in the non-permanent establishment of the unified United States Army after August 7, 1918.
In addition, honorary brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
ranks of major general were conferred in several organizations in recognition of gallant wartime conduct.
- A brevet major general was awarded that brevet rank in the Regular Army, typically for actions in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, or the Civil War.
- A brevet major general of volunteers was awarded that brevet rank in the United States Volunteers, typically for actions in the Civil War or the Spanish-American War.
- A brevet major general of militia was awarded that brevet rank in one of the state militia forces.
List of Regular Army major generals before July 1, 1920
The following list of major generals includes all officers appointed to that rank in the line or staff of the Regular Army prior to July 1, 1920, including emergency major generals. It does not include officers who held that rank solely by brevet or in the non-permanent or non-federal establishment, such as major generals of militia or volunteers, major generals in the National Guard or National Army, or temporary major generals.Entries are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was appointed to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty. Each entry lists the officer's name; date of rank; date the officer vacated the active-duty rank; number of years on active duty as major general (Yrs); and other biographical notes.
The list is sortable by active-duty appointment order, last name, date of rank, date vacated, and number of years on active duty as major general.
| Name | Date of rank | Date vacated | Yrs | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1736–1818) | |||||
| (1745–1796) Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1779. | |||||
| (1755–1804) Inspector General with rank of major general, 19 Jul 1798–15 Jun 1800. | |||||
| (1746–1825) | |||||
| (1761–1816) Quartermaster General with rank of major general, 1 Jun 1799–1 Jun 1802. | |||||
| (1751–1829) Major general of Massachusetts Massachusetts The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010... militia, 1795. |
|||||
| (1750–1828) | |||||
| (1757–1825) | |||||
| (1752–1835) | |||||
| 10 | (1754–1844) | ||||
| 11 | (1773–1841) Brevet major general of Kentucky Kentucky The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth... militia, 20 Aug 1812–31 Aug 1812. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... and Congressional Gold Medal, 1818. |
||||
| 12 | (1776–1828) | ||||
| 13 | (1775–1828) Major general of New York New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... militia, 1812. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... and Congressional Gold Medal, 1814. |
||||
| 14 | (1767–1845) Major general of Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area... militia, 1 Apr 1803–30 May 1814; major general of volunteers, 10 Dec 1812–30 May 1814. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... and Congressional Gold Medal, 1815. |
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| 15 | (1782–1841) Brevet major general, 11 Sep 1814. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... and Congressional Gold Medal, 1814. |
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| 16 | (1786–1866) Brevet major general, 25 Jul 1814; brevet lieutenant general, 29 Mar 1847. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1814; Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... and Congressional Gold Medal, 1848. |
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| 17 | (1784–1850) Brevet major general, 28 May 1846. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... and Congressional Gold Medal, 1846, 1847, and 1848. |
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| 18 | (1806–1878) | ||||
| 19 | (1799–1858) Brevet major general, 23 Sep 1846. Awarded Congressional Sword, 1847. | ||||
| 20 | (1826–1885) Major general of Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... militia, 23 Apr 1861–14 May 1861. |
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| 21 | (1813–1890) | ||||
| 22 | (1815–1872) Major general of California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... militia, Apr 1861–19 Aug 1861; major general of Missouri Missouri Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It... militia, 25 Nov 1861–23 Jul 1862. |
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| 23 | (1784–1869) Brevet major general, 23 Feb 1847. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... and Congressional Sword, 1854. |
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| 24 | (1822–1885) Major general of volunteers, 16 Feb 1862–4 Jul 1863. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 2 Mar 1864; to general, 25 Jul 1866. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... and Congressional Gold Medal, 1863. |
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| 25 | (1820–1891) Major general of California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... militia, 1856; major general of volunteers, 1 May 1862–12 Aug 1864. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 25 Jul 1866; to general, 4 Mar 1869. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1864. |
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| 26 | (1815–1872) Major general of volunteers, 29 Nov 1862–18 Aug 1864. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1864 and 1865. |
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| 27 | (1831–1888) Major general of volunteers, 31 Dec 1862–8 Nov 1864. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 4 Mar 1869; to general, 1 Jun 1888. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1865. |
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| 28 | (1816–1870) Major general of volunteers, 25 Apr 1862–15 Dec 1864. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1865. |
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| 29 | (1824–1886) Major general of volunteers, 29 Nov 1862–26 Jul 1866. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1866. |
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| * | (none) | (1817–1887) Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| * | (none) | (1837–1903) Reduced to brigadier general on the retired list, 3 Mar 1875. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| * | (none) | (1827–1897) Reduced to brigadier general on the retired list, 3 Mar 1875. Brevet major general of volunteers, 13 Mar 1865; brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| * | (none) | (1823–1906) Reduced to brigadier general on the retired list, 3 Mar 1875. Major general of volunteers, 27 Jan 1865–1 Sep 1866. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| * | (none) | (1814–1879) Major general of volunteers, 5 May 1862–1 Sep 1866. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1864. |
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| * | (none) | (1805–1880) Major general of volunteers, 5 May 1862–24 Aug 1865. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| 30 | (1831–1906) Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 8 Feb 1895. Major general of Missouri Missouri Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It... militia, 8 Oct 1862–29 Nov 1862; major general of volunteers, 29 Nov 1862–1 Sep 1866. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1861. |
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| * | (none) | (1819–1914) Major general of volunteers, 29 Nov 1862–1 Jan 1868. Brevet major general, 2 Mar 1867. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1863. |
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| * | (none) | (1817–1897) Brevet major general of volunteers, 27 Jun 1864; brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1864. |
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| * | (none) | (1832–1893) Brevet major general of volunteers, 13 Mar 1865; brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| * | (none) | (1813–1879) Brevet major general of volunteers, 13 Mar 1865; brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| * | (none) | (1830–1874) Major general of volunteers, 29 Nov 1862–24 Aug 1865. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| 31 | (1818–1885) Major general of volunteers, 14 Mar 1862–1 Sep 1866. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | ||||
| * | (none) | (1830–1874) Major general of volunteers, 2 May 1862–1 Sep 1866. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| 32 | (1822–1892) Major general of volunteers, 21 Mar 1862–1 Sep 1866. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | ||||
| 33 | (1827–1890) Major general of volunteers, 15 Jan 1865–1 Sep 1866. Brevet major general of volunteers, 26 Aug 1864; brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1865. |
||||
| 34 | (1830–1909) Major general of volunteers, 29 Nov 1862–1 Jan 1869. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1862; Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1864. |
||||
| 35 | (1828–1890) Major general of volunteers, 21 Oct 1864–15 Jan 1866. Brevet major general of volunteers, 18 Jul 1864; brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. Died in office. | ||||
| 36 | (1839–1925) Major general of volunteers, 21 Oct 1865–1 Sep 1866; senior major general commanding the Army with rank of lieutenant general, 6 Jun 1900–2 Feb 1901. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 2 Feb 1901. Brevet major general of volunteers, 26 Aug 1864; brevet major general, 2 Mar 1867. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1863. |
||||
| 37 | (1831–1903) Major general of volunteers, 17 Jul 1862–21 Oct 1865. Brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | ||||
| 38 | (1833–1907) Brevet major general of volunteers, 30 Nov 1864. | ||||
| 39 | (1836–1910) Major general of volunteers, 1 Apr 1865–1 Feb 1866. Brevet major general of volunteers, 19 Oct 1864; brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | ||||
| 40 | (1833–1903) Brevet major general of volunteers, 19 Oct 1864; brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | ||||
| 41 | (1835–1906) | ||||
| 42 | (1835–1900) Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1862. |
||||
| 43 | (1838–1926) Brevet major general of volunteers, 1 Aug 1864. | ||||
| 44 | (1842–1909) Adjutant General with rank of major general, 6 Jun 1900–15 Apr 1906. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 15 Apr 1906. |
||||
| 45 | (1838–1909) Major general of volunteers, 4 May 1898–16 Jun 1900. Brevet major general, 4 Feb 1899. | ||||
| 46 | (1840–1924) Major general of volunteers, 8 Jul 1898–13 Apr 1899. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 8 Aug 1903. |
||||
| 47 | (1842–1914) Major general of volunteers, 8 Jul 1898–13 Apr 1899 and 19 Jul 1900–4 Feb 1901. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 9 Jan 1904. |
||||
| 48 | (1845–1912) Major general of volunteers, 13 Aug 1898–5 Feb 1901. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 15 Sep 1906. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1863. |
||||
| * | (none) | (1837–1912) Major general of volunteers, 4 May 1898–24 Feb 1899. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1865. |
|||
| 49 | (1838–1918) Major general of volunteers, 18 Jun 1900–28 Feb 1901. Brevet major general of volunteers, 19 Jun 1899. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1865. |
||||
| * | (none) | (1835–1906) Major general of volunteers, 4 May 1898–30 Jun 1901. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1862. |
|||
| 50 | (1839–1909) | ||||
| 51 | (1842–1919) Major general of volunteers, 8 Jul 1898–13 Apr 1899 and 2 Jan 1900–28 Feb 1901. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... , 1 Feb 1906. |
||||
| 52 | (1839–1918) | ||||
| 53 | (1842–1920) Major general of volunteers, 4 May 1898–30 Nov 1898. | ||||
| 54 | (1839–1919) | ||||
| 55 | (1843–1921) Major general of volunteers, 4 May 1898–12 Jun 1899. | ||||
| 56 | (1842–1937) Major general of volunteers, 7 Sep 1898–15 Apr 1899. | ||||
| 57 | (1860–1927) Major general of volunteers, 7 Dec 1898–13 Apr 1899 and 5 Dec 1899–30 Jun 1901. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1886. |
||||
| 58 | (1840–1932) | ||||
| 59 | (1840–1926) | ||||
| 60 | (1840–1909) | ||||
| 61 | (1841–1910) | ||||
| 62 | (1841–1913) | ||||
| 63 | (1852–1934) Military Secretary with rank of major general, 23 Apr 1904–5 Mar 1907; Adjutant General with rank of major general, 5 Mar 1907–16 Feb 1912. | ||||
| 64 | (1841–1915) | ||||
| 65 | (1841–1918) | ||||
| 66 | (1845–1917) Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1865. |
||||
| 67 | (1850–1912) Died in office. | ||||
| 68 | (1844–1935) Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1935. |
||||
| 69 | (1843–1926) | ||||
| 70 | (1856–1919) Died in office. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1899. |
||||
| 71 | (1843–1914) | ||||
| * | (none) | (1833–1907) Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1877. |
|||
| 72 | (1847–1920) | ||||
| 73 | (1844–1914) | ||||
| 74 | (1855–1919) | ||||
| * | (none) | (1844–1921) | |||
| * | (none) | (1845–1912) | |||
| 75 | (1851–1925) Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1881. |
||||
| 76 | (1847–1911) | ||||
| * | (none) | (1847–1914) | |||
| 77 | (1851–1925) first Chief of Coast Artillery 1908 | ||||
| 78 | (1850–1921) | ||||
| 79 | (1856–1925) Quartermaster General with rank of major general, 24 Aug 1912–12 Sep 1916. | ||||
| 80 | (1865–1917) Died in office. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1899. |
||||
| * | (none) | (1823–1917) Major general of volunteers, 23 Jul 1864–15 Jan 1866. | |||
| * | (none) | (1837–1925) Major general of volunteers, 6 May 1865–8 Jan 1866 and 4 May 1898–12 Apr 1899. Brevet major general of volunteers, 6 May 1864; brevet major general, 13 Mar 1865. | |||
| * | (none) | (1834–1916) Major general of volunteers, 4 May 1898–30 Nov 1898. | |||
| * | (none) | (1835–1918) Major general of volunteers, 8 Jul 1898–30 Nov 1898. | |||
| * | (none) | (1842–1923) Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1864 and 1874. |
|||
| 81 | (1858–1928) Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1915. |
||||
| 82 | (1854–1920) Surgeon General with rank of major general, 4 Mar 1915–3 Oct 1918. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1915. |
||||
| 83 | (1853–1934) | ||||
| 84 | (1853–1930) Emergency general, 6 Oct 1917–19 May 1918. Promoted to general on the retired list, 21 Jun 1930. Brevet general, 20 May 1918. | ||||
| 85 | (1854–1916) Died in office. Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1898. |
||||
| 86 | (1854–1920) Chief of Coast Artillery with rank of major general, 6 Jul 1916–23 May 1918. | ||||
| * | (none) | (1838–1917) | |||
| * | (none) | (1840–1921) | |||
| * | (none) | (1841–1926) Awarded Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... , 1864. |
|||
| * | (none) | (1842–1926) | |||
| * | (none) | (1851–1937) | |||
| 87 | (1858–1947) Quartermaster General with rank of major general, 16 Sep 1916–12 Jul 1918. Promoted to major general of the line, 12 Jul 1918. | ||||
| 88 | (1860–1948) Emergency general, 6 Oct 1917–3 Sep 1919. Promoted to General of the Armies of the United States, 3 Sep 1919. Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1919; Congressional Gold Medal, 1946. |
||||
| * | (none) | (1859–1930) | |||
| 89 | (1857–1935) Emergency lieutenant general, 16 Oct 1918–30 Jun 1920. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... on the retired list, 21 Jun 1930. |
||||
| 90 | (1857–1932) | ||||
| 91 | (1861–1933) | ||||
| 92 | (1860–1935) Awarded Thanks of Congress Thanks of Congress The Thanks of Congress are a series of formal resolutions passed by the United States Congress originally to extend the government's formal thanks for significant victories or impressive actions by American military commanders and their troops. Although it began during the American Revolutionary... , 1915. |
||||
| 93 | (1864–1955) National Army major general, 5 Aug 1917–12 Feb 1918; emergency general, 20 May 1918–30 Jun 1920. Promoted to general on the retired list, 21 Jun 1930. | ||||
| 94 | (1861–1941) Adjutant General with rank of major general, 6 Oct 1917–26 Aug 1918; National Army major general, 27 Aug 1918–30 Jun 1920; retired as major general, 22 Jul 1921. | ||||
| 95 | (1858–1948) Inspector General with rank of major general, 6 Oct 1917–20 Feb 1921 and 28 Mar 1921–6 Nov 1921. | ||||
| 96 | (1859–1932) Judge Advocate General with rank of major general, 6 Oct 1917–14 Feb 1923. | ||||
| 97 | (1855–1933) Chief of Engineers Chief of Engineers The Chief of Engineers commands the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a staff officer at The Pentagon, the Chief advises the Army on engineering matters and serves as the Army's topographer and the proponent for real estate and other related engineering programs.... with rank of major general, 6 Oct 1917–31 Oct 1919. |
||||
| 98 | (1855–1942) Chief of Ordnance with rank of major general, 6 Oct 1917–12 Jul 1918. Promoted to major general of the line, 12 Jul 1918. | ||||
| 99 | (1865–1934) Chief Signal Officer with rank of major general, 6 Oct 1917–13 Feb 1921 and 28 Mar 1921–31 Dec 1923. | ||||
| 100 | (1865–1944) Chief of Bureau of Insular Affairs Bureau of Insular Affairs The Bureau of Insular Affairs was a division of the United States War Department that oversaw United States administration of certain territories from 1902 until 1939.... with rank of major general, 6 Oct 1917–5 Jan 1929. |
||||
| 101 | (1870–1947) Chief of Coast Artillery with rank of major general, 24 May 1918–19 Mar 1926. | ||||
| 102 | (1869–1958) Chief of Ordnance with rank of major general, 16 Jul 1918–1 Apr 1930. | ||||
| 103 | (1867–1925) Quartermaster General with rank of major general, 22 Jul 1918–27 Aug 1922. | ||||
| 104 | (1867–1952) Assistant Surgeon General, American Expeditionary Force American Expeditionary Force The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces... , with rank of emergency major general, 8 Aug 1918–30 Oct 1918; Surgeon General with rank of major general, 4 Oct 1918–31 May 1931. |
||||
| 105 | (1865–1951) Adjutant General with rank of major general, 1 Sep 1918–31 Aug 1922. | ||||
| 106 | (1870–1956) Assistant Surgeon General, American Expeditionary Force American Expeditionary Force The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces... , with rank of emergency major general, 30 Oct 1918–21 Aug 1919; retired as major general, 8 Feb 1925. |
||||
| 107 | (1861–1947) National Army major general, 5 Aug 1917–31 Oct 1918; emergency lieutenant general, 16 Oct 1918–30 Jun 1920. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... on the retired list, 21 Jun 1930. |
||||
| 108 | (1857–1928) National Army major general, 5 Aug 1917–7 Jan 1920. | ||||
| 109 | (1866–1947) National Army major general, 26 Jun 1918–7 Jan 1920. Promoted to lieutenant general Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... on the retired list, 9 Jul 1942. |
||||
| 110 | (1859–1945) National Army major general, 5 Aug 1917–9 Jan 1920. | ||||
| 111 | (1860–1945) Chief of Engineers Chief of Engineers The Chief of Engineers commands the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a staff officer at The Pentagon, the Chief advises the Army on engineering matters and serves as the Army's topographer and the proponent for real estate and other related engineering programs.... with rank of major general, 9 Jan 1920–18 Jun 1924. |
||||
| 112 | (1867–1955) National Army major general, 26 Jun 1918–30 Apr 1920; general, 23 Feb 1929–20 Nov 1930; retired as general, 31 Mar 1931. | ||||
Timeline
By June 30, 1920, there were 10 major generals of the line (maj.gen. 1–10Line officer
In the United States armed forces, the term line officer or officer of the line refers to an officer who is trained for command — that is, to be the commanding officer of a warship, ground combat unit, combat aviation unit, or combat support unit....
) and 10 major generals of the staff: the Quartermaster General (Q.m.Gen.), the Surgeon General (Surg.Gen.), the Chief of Coast Artillery (C.of C.A.), the Adjutant General (Adj.Gen.), the Inspector General (Insp.Gen.), the Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.), the Chief of Engineers (C.of Eng.
Chief of Engineers
The Chief of Engineers commands the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a staff officer at The Pentagon, the Chief advises the Army on engineering matters and serves as the Army's topographer and the proponent for real estate and other related engineering programs....
), the Chief of Ordnance (C.of Ord.), the Chief Signal Officer (C.S.O.), and the Chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs (C.of B.I.A.
Bureau of Insular Affairs
The Bureau of Insular Affairs was a division of the United States War Department that oversaw United States administration of certain territories from 1902 until 1939....
).
An officer held the permanent grade of major general (Maj.gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
) until his death; retirement; or promotion to a higher permanent grade such as lieutenant general (Lt.gen.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
), general (Gen.
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
), or General of the Armies (Gen.Armies). Staff or brevet appointments to lieutenant general (Lt.gen.*
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
) or general did not vacate the officer's permanent grade of major general; nor did appointments as major general of volunteers or in the National Army (vols.
Military volunteer
A military volunteer is a person who enlists in military service by free will, and is not a mercenary or a foreign legionaire. Volunteers often enlist to fight in the armed forces of a foreign country. Military volunteers are essential for the operation of volunteer militaries.Many armies,...
), or as emergency lieutenant general or general.
Northwest Indian War
Arthur St. Clair
Arthur St. Clair was an American soldier and politician. Born in Scotland, he served in the British Army during the French and Indian War before settling in Pennsylvania, where he held local office...
, who was appointed in 1791 to prosecute the Northwest Indian War
Northwest Indian War
The Northwest Indian War , also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names, was a war fought between the United States and a confederation of numerous American Indian tribes for control of the Northwest Territory...
. After the disastrous Battle of the Wabash
St. Clair's Defeat
St. Clair's Defeat also known as the Battle of the Wabash, the Battle of Wabash River or the Battle of a Thousand Slain, was fought on November 4, 1791 in the Northwest Territory between the United States and the Western Confederacy of American Indians, as part of the Northwest Indian War...
, St. Clair was replaced by Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
, who successfully concluded the war in 1795. Wayne died in December 1796 and the grade of major general was abolished three months later.
Quasi-War
After sixteen months in abeyance, the grade of major general was revived in 1798 when the Regular Army was expanded during the Quasi-WarQuasi-War
The Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought mostly at sea between the United States and French Republic from 1798 to 1800. In the United States, the conflict was sometimes also referred to as the Franco-American War, the Pirate Wars, or the Half-War.-Background:The Kingdom of France had been a...
with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. As part of the buildup, Congress authorized a lieutenant general, two major generals, and an inspector general and a quartermaster general with the rank of major general. Only one of the two line major general slots was ultimately filled; the other was declined by Henry Knox
Henry Knox
Henry Knox was a military officer of the Continental Army and later the United States Army, and also served as the first United States Secretary of War....
, who refused to be outranked by the designated inspector general, Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
, who had been junior to Knox in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. The President was also authorized to temporarily augment the Regular Army with a Provisional Army, but it was never fully organized. When tensions eased, the Provisional Army was disbanded and the maximum Regular Army rank was again reduced to brigadier general.
War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. The first two major generals were Revolutionary War veterans Henry Dearborn
Henry Dearborn
Henry Dearborn was an American physician, a statesman and a veteran of both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Born to Simon Dearborn and Sarah Marston in North Hampton, New Hampshire, he spent much of his youth in Epping, where he attended public schools...
and Thomas Pinckney
Thomas Pinckney
Thomas Pinckney was an early American statesman, diplomat and veteran of both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.-Early life in the military:...
. After a year of defeats, Dearborn was relieved and four more major generals were appointed: James Wilkinson
James Wilkinson
James Wilkinson was an American soldier and statesman, who was associated with several scandals and controversies. He served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, but was twice compelled to resign...
, Wade Hampton
Wade Hampton I
Wade Hampton was a South Carolina soldier, politician, two-term U.S. Congressman, and wealthy plantation owner. He was the scion of the politically important Hampton family, which was influential in state politics almost into the 20th century...
, Morgan Lewis
Morgan Lewis (governor)
Morgan Lewis was an American lawyer, politician and military commander.Of Welsh descent, he was the son of Francis Lewis, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He graduated from Princeton in 1773 and began to study law on the advice of his father...
, and William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
. A year later, all four had been court-martialled, sidelined, or driven to resign, and George Izard, Jacob J. Brown
Jacob Brown
Jacob Jennings Brown was an American army officer in the War of 1812. His successes on the northern border during that war made him a hero. In 1821 he was appointed commanding general of the U.S. Army and held that post until his death.-Early life:Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Jennings...
, and Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
were promoted in their place.
After the war, the number of major generals was reduced to two, Brown and Jackson. In 1821 Congress eliminated the second major generalcy and Jackson departed the Army to become governor of Florida, leaving Brown to become the first Commanding General of the Army
Commanding General of the United States Army
Prior to the institution of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1903, there was generally a single senior-most officer in the army. From 1783, he was known simply as the Senior Officer of the United States Army, but in 1821, the title was changed to Commanding General of the United...
. When Brown died in 1828, the Army's two brigadier generals, Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852....
and Edmund P. Gaines
Edmund P. Gaines
Edmund Pendleton Gaines was a United States army officer who served with distinction during the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars and the Black Hawk War.-Early life:...
, waged such a bitter public campaign for the vacant major generalcy that the President passed them both over in favor of Alexander Macomb. Macomb died in 1841 and was succeeded by Scott.
Mexican War
Scott remained the Army's senior officer during the Mexican WarMexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
. After the outbreak of hostilities in 1846, Congress temporarily authorized a second major general on the condition that he be immediately discharged upon the ratification of a peace treaty, and the Army's three brigadier generals were passed over in favor of Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
, victor at Palo Alto
Battle of Palo Alto
The Battle of Palo Alto was the first major battle of the Mexican-American War and was fought on May 8, 1846, on disputed ground five miles from the modern-day city of Brownsville, Texas...
and Resaca de la Palma
Battle of Resaca de la Palma
At the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, one of the early engagements of the Mexican-American War,United States General Zachary Taylor engaged the retreating forces of the Mexican Ejército del Norte under General Mariano Arista on May 9, 1846.-Background:During the night of May 8, following...
. Two more major generals were authorized the following year on the same basis, Gideon J. Pillow
Gideon Johnson Pillow
Gideon Johnson Pillow was an American lawyer, politician, and Confederate general in the American Civil War. He is best remembered for his poor performance at the Battle of Fort Donelson.-Early life:...
and John A. Quitman
John A. Quitman
John Anthony Quitman was an American politician and soldier. He served as Governor of Mississippi from 1835 to 1836 as a Whig and again from 1850 to 1851 as a Democrat and one of the leading Fire-Eaters.-Early life:John A. Quitman studied Classics at Hartwick Seminary, graduating in 1816...
. After the war, the extra major generals were duly discharged and Scott again became the Army's only major general. Scott was breveted lieutenant general in 1855 but continued to occupy the substantive grade of major general until he retired in 1861.
Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the bulk of the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
was composed of volunteer forces raised by individual states and led by dozens of federally appointed major generals of volunteers. The Regular Army itself was authorized a total of five major generals. Three of the new vacancies were filled immediately by former Regular Army officers George B. McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
, John C. Frémont
John C. Frémont
John Charles Frémont , was an American military officer, explorer, and the first candidate of the anti-slavery Republican Party for the office of President of the United States. During the 1840s, that era's penny press accorded Frémont the sobriquet The Pathfinder...
, and Henry W. Halleck
Henry Wager Halleck
Henry Wager Halleck was a United States Army officer, scholar, and lawyer. A noted expert in military studies, he was known by a nickname that became derogatory, "Old Brains." He was an important participant in the admission of California as a state and became a successful lawyer and land developer...
, while Regular Army brigadier general John E. Wool
John E. Wool
John Ellis Wool was an officer in the United States Army during three consecutive U.S. wars: the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. By the time of the Mexican-American War, he was widely considered one of the most capable officers in the army and a superb organizer...
was promoted for capturing Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, during the Peninsular Campaign. Subsequent appointments were reserved as prizes for major generals of volunteers who won decisive battlefield victories: Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
for Vicksburg
Battle of Vicksburg
The Siege of Vicksburg was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate army of Lt. Gen. John C...
, William T. Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War , for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched...
for Atlanta
Battle of Atlanta
The Battle of Atlanta was a battle of the Atlanta Campaign fought during the American Civil War on July 22, 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Continuing their summer campaign to seize the important rail and supply center of Atlanta, Union forces commanded by William T. Sherman overwhelmed...
, George G. Meade
George Meade
George Gordon Meade was a career United States Army officer and civil engineer involved in coastal construction, including several lighthouses. He fought with distinction in the Second Seminole War and Mexican-American War. During the American Civil War he served as a Union general, rising from...
for Spotsylvania, Philip H. Sheridan
Philip Sheridan
Philip Henry Sheridan was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. His career was noted for his rapid rise to major general and his close association with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S...
for Cedar Creek
Battle of Cedar Creek
The Battle of Cedar Creek, or Battle of Belle Grove, October 19, 1864, was one of the final, and most decisive, battles in the Valley Campaigns of 1864 during the American Civil War. The final Confederate invasion of the North, led by Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early, was effectively ended...
, and George H. Thomas
George Henry Thomas
George Henry Thomas was a career United States Army officer and a Union General during the American Civil War, one of the principal commanders in the Western Theater....
for Nashville
Battle of Nashville
The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. It was fought at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 15–16, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Tennessee under...
.
When the volunteers were disbanded after the war, its Regular Army officers reverted to their permanent grades. Many of the most famous Union Army major generals had been appointed to that rank only in the volunteer service and did not achieve the equivalent grade in the Regular Army until years or decades later, if ever. For example, upon mustering out of the volunteers in 1869, Oliver O. Howard
Oliver O. Howard
Oliver Otis Howard was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War...
reverted to his permanent Regular Army grade of colonel and had to wait until 1886 to again be promoted to major general; while George A. Custer
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
never regained his wartime rank in the Regular Army and died as a lieutenant colonel. Of the dozens of major generals of volunteers who lost their temporary ranks after the Civil War, only nine ever attained the permanent grade of major general in the Regular Army before they retired.
Postwar
John Schofield
John McAllister Schofield was an American soldier who held major commands during the American Civil War. He later served as U.S. Secretary of War and Commanding General of the United States Army.-Early life:...
held his major generalcy for nearly 26 years, and Winfield S. Hancock
Winfield Scott Hancock
Winfield Scott Hancock was a career U.S. Army officer and the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1880. He served with distinction in the Army for four decades, including service in the Mexican-American War and as a Union general in the American Civil War...
for nearly twenty.
To unblock the promotion flow, Congress mandated in 1882 that officers must retire at age 64, but could retire sooner if they had at least forty years of service. Because officers nearing the age limit could now conveniently select their exit dates to coincide with vacancies in higher grades, it became common to fill each vacancy with a parade of aging veterans who would each be promoted and immediately retired with the higher rank and retired pay, as a reward for past service. In January 1904, for example, a single vacant major generalcy hosted five officers in five days, each of the first four in turn being promoted and then retired after only one day in grade to clear the way for the next. Congress blocked this practice in 1906 by requiring that general officers serve at least one year before being allowed to retire at that rank, except for age or disability.
Major generals of the staff
Line officer
In the United States armed forces, the term line officer or officer of the line refers to an officer who is trained for command — that is, to be the commanding officer of a warship, ground combat unit, combat aviation unit, or combat support unit....
s, who commanded combat formations, or staff officers, who performed specialized support functions. Permanent promotions to general officer grades were only available in the line. Staff officers could temporarily acquire the rank and pay of a general officer while detailed to certain offices designated by statute to carry that rank, such as chief of a staff bureau, but reverted to their permanent grades upon leaving such an office. Officers holding the permanent personal grade of general officer were called general officers of the line, while general officers holding only temporary ex-officio rank were called general officers of the staff.
For most of the nineteenth century, general officers of the staff were limited to the rank of brigadier general, but in 1900 the rank of the Adjutant General was temporarily increased to major general for the term of its then-incumbent, Henry C. Corbin
Henry Clarke Corbin
Henry Clark Corbin was an officer in the United States Army who served as Adjutant General of the U.S. Army from 1898 to 1904.-Life and career:...
. In 1904 Corbin transferred to a line command but retained the office of Adjutant General and its associated rank. In his absence, the Adjutant General's Department was merged with the Record and Pension Office into a consolidated bureau headed by Fred C. Ainsworth
Fred C. Ainsworth
Frederick Crayton Ainsworth was a surgeon in the United States Army who eventually rose to the position of Adjutant General. A gifted administrator, Ainsworth revolutionized government record-keeping methods following his initial appointment in 1886 to the Record and Pensions Division of the War...
, who was appointed Military Secretary with the rank of major general. The Military Secretary was retitled Adjutant General after Corbin retired in 1906, and the office's rank reverted to brigadier general when Ainsworth was dismissed in 1912.
Major generals of the staff proliferated after 1912, when the Quartermaster Corps was created under a Quartermaster General bearing the temporary rank of major general. The Surgeon General reached that rank in 1915 when William C. Gorgas
William C. Gorgas
William Crawford Gorgas KCMG was a United States Army physician and 22nd Surgeon General of the U.S. Army...
was appointed to that post and promoted to major general in the Medical Department to reward his service during the construction of the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
. The Chief of Coast Artillery became a major general of the staff in 1916. Finally, every other chief of a staff corps, department, or bureau was elevated to major general on October 6, 1917.
World War I
When the United States entered World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in April 1917, the President was authorized to raise a temporary force of volunteers and conscripts, initially dubbed the National Army and later referred to as the non-permanent establishment of the United States Army after the Regular Army, National Army, and federalized National Guard were unified on August 7, 1918. Congress also granted authority to add an appropriate number of general officers to each organization "for the period of the existing emergency," which at first was used only for temporary appointments to major general and brigadier general in the National Army, but was later construed to allow emergency appointments to general and lieutenant general in the Regular Army. In July 1918 an emergency major general was authorized for service abroad as Assistant Surgeon General with the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
; Merritte W. Ireland
Merritte W. Ireland
Merritte Weber Ireland was the 23rd U.S. Army Surgeon General, serving in that capacity from October 4, 1918 to May 31, 1931,...
was appointed, followed by Robert E. Noble when Ireland became Surgeon General later that year. In contrast to the temporary general officers of the National Army or unified United States Army, emergency general officers were considered part of the permanent establishment. All emergency and temporary commissions expired with the wartime legislation on June 30, 1920.
After the war the Army was reorganized and the new peacetime establishment was authorized 21 major generals of the line, more than doubling the previous number, plus 13 major generals of the staff, including the newly created Chiefs of Infantry, Cavalry, and Field Artillery. The reorganization took effect on July 1, 1920.
Legislative history
The following list of Congressional legislation includes all acts of CongressAct of Congress
An Act of Congress is a statute enacted by government with a legislature named "Congress," such as the United States Congress or the Congress of the Philippines....
directly pertaining to appointments to the grade of major general in the Regular Army. It does not include legislation pertaining solely to appointments to that grade in the non-permanent establishment, or by brevet.
Each entry lists an act of Congress, its citation in the United States Statutes at Large
United States Statutes at Large
The United States Statutes at Large, commonly referred to as the Statutes at Large and abbreviated Stat., are the official source for the laws and concurrent resolutions passed by the United States Congress...
, the total number of active-duty major generals authorized subsequent to the act, the subsequent number of active-duty major generals of the line, the subsequent number of active-duty major generals of the staff, and a summary of the act's relevance.
| Legislation | Citation | Total | Line | Staff | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Act of March 3, 1791 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Authorized one major general. | |
| Act of May 30, 1796 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Established total of one major general. | |
| Act of March 3, 1797 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Repealed authorization for major general. | |
| Act of July 16, 1798 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|
|
| Act of March 3, 1799 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Authorized Quartermaster General with rank of major general. | |
| Act of March 16, 1802 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Established brigadier general as maximum peacetime rank. | |
| Act of January 11, 1812 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Established total of two major generals. | |
| Act of February 24, 1813 | 8 | 8 | 0 | Authorized six additional major generals. | |
| Act of March 3, 1815 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Established total of two major generals. | |
| Act of March 2, 1821 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Established total of one major general. | |
| Act of June 18, 1846 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Authorized one additional major general, to be discharged at the end of the Mexican War. | |
| Act of March 3, 1847 | 4 | 4 | 0 | Authorized two additional major generals, to be discharged at the end of the Mexican War. | |
| Act of July 19, 1848 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
|
|
| Act of July 29, 1861 | 5 | 5 | 0 | Authorized four additional major generals. | |
| Act of July 28, 1866 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
James B. Ricketts James Brewerton Ricketts was a career officer in the United States Army, serving as a Union Army general in the Eastern Theater during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:... , Eli Long Eli Long Eli Long was a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:Long was born on June 16, 1837 in Woodford County, Kentucky, and graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute in 1855. In 1856, he was appointed second lieutenant in the 1st U.S... , Richard W. Johnson Richard W. Johnson Richard W. Johnson was an American soldier, born in Kentucky.-Early career:He graduated at West Point in 1849 and up to the time of the Civil War was employed chiefly on frontier service. In 1861 he was commissioned colonel in the 3rd Kentucky Cavalry and soon afterward became a brigadier general... , Thomas J. Wood Thomas J. Wood Thomas John Wood was a career United States Army officer and a Union general during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:... , Joseph Hooker Joseph Hooker Joseph Hooker was a career United States Army officer, achieving the rank of major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Although he served throughout the war, usually with distinction, Hooker is best remembered for his stunning defeat by Confederate General Robert E... , Daniel E. Sickles Daniel Sickles Daniel Edgar Sickles was a colorful and controversial American politician, Union general in the American Civil War, and diplomat.... , John C. Robinson John C. Robinson John Cleveland Robinson had a long and distinguished career in the United States Army, fighting in numerous wars and culminating his career as a Union Army brigadier general of volunteers and brevet major general of volunteers in the American Civil War. In 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated... , Samuel S. Carroll Samuel S. Carroll Samuel Spriggs "Red" Carroll was a career officer in the United States Army who rose to the rank of brigadier general during the American Civil War... , Thomas W. Sherman Thomas W. Sherman Thomas West Sherman was a United States Army officer with service during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.... , George L. Hartsuff George Lucas Hartsuff George Lucas Hartsuff was an American soldier, born at Tyre, New York. He graduated at West Point in 1852, graduating 19th out of 43 in his class. He served on the frontier and in Florida, where, during a fight with the Seminole Indians near Fort Myers, he received a wound which eventually... retired as major generals). |
|
| Act of April 10, 1869 | 5 | 5 | 0 | Authorized retirement of Samuel P. Heintzelman Samuel P. Heintzelman Samuel Peter Heintzelman was a United States Army General. He served in the Seminole War, the Mexican-American War, the Yuma War, the Cortina Troubles, and the American Civil War, rising to the command of a corps.... for disability due to wounds received in battle at full rank of command held when wounded. |
|
| Act of July 15, 1870 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
|
|
| Act of March 3, 1875 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Reduced retired rank of officers disabled by wounds received in battle to actual rank held when wounded (Eli Long Eli Long Eli Long was a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:Long was born on June 16, 1837 in Woodford County, Kentucky, and graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute in 1855. In 1856, he was appointed second lieutenant in the 1st U.S... , Richard W. Johnson Richard W. Johnson Richard W. Johnson was an American soldier, born in Kentucky.-Early career:He graduated at West Point in 1849 and up to the time of the Civil War was employed chiefly on frontier service. In 1861 he was commissioned colonel in the 3rd Kentucky Cavalry and soon afterward became a brigadier general... , Thomas J. Wood Thomas J. Wood Thomas John Wood was a career United States Army officer and a Union general during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:... reduced to brigadier general). |
|
| Act of January 28, 1881 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Authorized promotion of Edward O. C. Ord Edward Ord Edward Otho Cresap Ord was the designer of Fort Sam Houston, and a United States Army officer who saw action in the Seminole War, the Indian Wars, and the American Civil War. He commanded an army during the final days of the Civil War, and was instrumental in forcing the surrender of Confederate... to major general on the retired list. |
|
| Act of April 19, 1890 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Authorized retirement of John C. Frémont John C. Frémont John Charles Frémont , was an American military officer, explorer, and the first candidate of the anti-slavery Republican Party for the office of President of the United States. During the 1840s, that era's penny press accorded Frémont the sobriquet The Pathfinder... as major general. |
|
| Act of June 6, 1900 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Henry Clarke Corbin Henry Clark Corbin was an officer in the United States Army who served as Adjutant General of the U.S. Army from 1898 to 1904.-Life and career:... , promoted to lieutenant general April 15, 1906). |
|
| Act of February 2, 1901 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
William Rufus Shafter William Rufus Shafter was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War who received America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Fair Oaks. Shafter also played a prominent part as a major general in the Spanish-American War... ). |
|
| Act of February 5, 1903 | 7 | 6 | 1 | Authorized promotion of Henry C. Merriam Henry C. Merriam Henry Clay Merriam was a United States Army general. He received the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions as a Union officer in command of African American troops during the American Civil War... to major general on the retired list. |
|
| Act of April 23, 1904 | 8 | 6 | 2 | Established Military Secretary with rank of major general for term of first incumbent (Frederick C. Ainsworth Fred C. Ainsworth Frederick Crayton Ainsworth was a surgeon in the United States Army who eventually rose to the position of Adjutant General. A gifted administrator, Ainsworth revolutionized government record-keeping methods following his initial appointment in 1886 to the Record and Pensions Division of the War... , retitled Adjutant General March 5, 1907, and retired February 16, 1912). |
|
| Act of March 2, 1907 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
Alexander Mackenzie (engineer) Alexander Mackenzie was born May 25, 1844, in Potosi, Wisconsin and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1864.Commissioned in the United States Army Corps of Engineers, he served with the Union Army in Arkansas in 1864-65... , Robert M. O'Reilly Robert Maitland O'Reilly Robert Maitland O'Reilly was the 20th Surgeon General of the United States Army, serving from September 7, 1902 to January 14, 1909.... , George B. Davis). |
|
| Act of August 24, 1912 | 7 | 6 | 1 | Increased rank of Quartermaster General to major general. | |
| Act of March 4, 1915 (a) | 8 | 7 | 1 |
Peter J. Osterhaus Peter Joseph Osterhaus was Union Army General in the American Civil War and later served as a diplomat.-Early life:Osterhaus was born in Koblenz, Rhenish Prussia. He attended the Berlin Military Academy and after serving for some time as a Prussian Army officer, he emigrated to the United States... , James H. Wilson James H. Wilson James Harrison Wilson was a United States Army topographic engineer, a Union Army Major General in the American Civil War and later wars, a railroad executive, and author.-Early life and engineering:... , William M. Graham Jr. William Montrose Graham, Jr. William Montrose Graham, Jr. , was a career soldier in the United States Army, reaching the rank of major general. He was a veteran of both the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War.-Biography:... , Jacob F. Kent Jacob Ford Kent Jacob Ford Kent was a United States general during the Spanish-American War. Kent also served in the Union army during the American Civil War.-Early life and the American Civil War:... ). Frank Baldwin Frank Dwight Baldwin , a native of Constantine, Michigan, and born in Manchester, Michigan, is one of only 19 servicemen to receive the Medal of Honor twice. Baldwin received this award for his actions during the Atlanta Campaign where he led his company to battle at Peachtree Creek and captured... ). |
|
| Act of March 4, 1915 (b) | 10 | 8 | 2 |
George Washington Goethals George Washington Goethals was a United States Army officer and civil engineer, best known for his supervision of construction and the opening of the Panama Canal... (retired November 15, 1916). William C. Gorgas William Crawford Gorgas KCMG was a United States Army physician and 22nd Surgeon General of the U.S. Army... (retired October 3, 1918). |
|
| Act of June 3, 1916
[ National Defense Act National Defense Act of 1916 The National Defense Act of 1916, , provided for an expanded army during peace and wartime, fourfold expansion of the National Guard, the creation of an Officers' and an Enlisted Reserve Corps, plus the creation of a Reserve Officers' Training Corps in colleges and universities... ] |
13 | 11 | 2 |
|
|
| Act of July 6, 1916 | 14 | 11 | 3 | Increased rank of Chief of Coast Artillery to major general. | |
| Act of August 29, 1916 | 14 | 11 | 3 |
Alexander Cummings McWhorter Pennington, Jr. Alexander Cummings McWhorter Pennington, Jr. , was an artillery officer and brigadier general in the United States Army and a veteran of both the American Civil War and Spanish-American War.-Early life and career:... , Peter C. Hains Peter Conover Hains Peter Conover Hains was a major general in the United States Army, and a veteran of the American Civil War, Spanish-American War, and the First World War... , Theodore Schwan Theodore Schwan Theodore Schwan was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Peebles' Farm. He also served with distinction during the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars.-Early life and Civil War:Schwan was born in Hanover,... , Oswald H. Ernst Oswald Herbert Ernst Oswald Herbert Ernst was an astronomer, engineer, military educator, and career officer in the United States Army who became superintendent of the United States Military Academy. Over a forty year career, Ernst served as an engineer during Sherman's Siege of Atlanta during the American Civil War,... ). John Clem John Lincoln Clem was a United States Army general who had served as a drummer boy in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He gained fame for his bravery on the battlefield, becoming the youngest noncommissioned officer in Army history. He retired from the Army in 1915, having attained the... ). |
|
| Act of October 6, 1917 | 20 | 10 | 10 | Increased rank of chief of any staff corps, department, or bureau to major general. | |
| Act of July 9, 1918 | 23 | 12 | 11 |
Henry Granville Sharpe Henry Granville Sharpe was the 24th Quartermaster General of the United States Army from 1916 to 1918.Sharpe was born in Kingston, New York, in 1858, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating in 1880... , retired May 1, 1920; and William Crozier William Crozier (artillerist) William Crozier was an American artillerist and inventor,-Biography:Born at Carrollton, Ohio on February 19, 1855, was the son of Robert Crozier , Chief Justice of Kansas in 1863-1866, and a United States senator from that State from December 1873 to February 1874... , retired January 1, 1919). Merritte W. Ireland Merritte Weber Ireland was the 23rd U.S. Army Surgeon General, serving in that capacity from October 4, 1918 to May 31, 1931,... , Robert E. Noble). |
|
| Act of June 4, 1920 | 34 | 21 | 13 |
United States Army Air Service The Air Service, United States Army was a forerunner of the United States Air Force during and after World War I. It was established as an independent but temporary wartime branch of the War Department by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation... with rank of major general. |
|
See also
- Major general (United States)Major general (United States)In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
- General officers in the United States
- List of American Civil War generals
- List of United States Army four-star generals
- List of lieutenant generals in the United States Army before 1960