Post by Bill ShatzerMacArthur or Halsey?
These are the nine five-star U.S. commanders
(with date of commission)
George Marshall December 16, 1944
Douglas MacArthur December 18, 1944
Dwight D. Eisenhower December 20, 1944
Henry H. Arnold December 21, 1944
Omar Bradley September 22, 1950
William D. Leahy December 15, 1944
Ernest J. King December 17, 1944
Chester W. Nimitz December 19, 1944
William F. Halsey December 11, 1945
Of these, I would say Leahy - he never held
an active combat command. His service during
the war was as governor of Puerto Rico (1939-1940),
ambassador to Vichy France (1941-1942), and FDR's
military deputy (1942-1945). He had previously
served as CNO (1937-1939).
In that role he was de facto chairman of the JCS,
and also presided over the British-American CCS.
Arguably, he did this well, and he needed the rank
if he was continue to chair the JCS over the six
new five-star service chiefs. But it seems hard
to say he _deserved_ it.
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