Originally by Mike RothschildList RulesAmerican military leaders only. Vote based on their military leadership only, not other political achievements.
America's legendary military history is dotted with some of the greatest generals and admirals to ever put on a uniform. While there have been thousands of high-ranking U.S. Army generals and and military leaders in American history, only a few have truly changed the world with their bravery, intelligence, strategic planning ability, and the way they look wearing a uniform full of medals. Some of the best American generals are also the top military leaders in history.
The army leaders and generals in the US Army on this list all either held the most important positions in the US military or were immortalized in the history books for their actions in war. To be a great US Army officer takes great courage and leadership. Who has had the most impact and led his men and women to historic triumphs? Leading the ranks of the army is no easy feat, but throughout army history, many great men have made a name for themselves.
Vote for who you think are the most important leaders from the United States Army, armed forces, and other military branches on this list, and vote down the ones you think might be a little overrated. And feel free to add generals and admirals who you feel were unfairly forgotten.1
2,186521George Washington
Dec. at 67 (1732-1799)George Washington was the first President of the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of the... more2
1,901626Ulysses S. Grant
Dec. at 63 (1822-1885)Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant; April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American... more3
1,412457Chester W. Nimitz
Dec. at 81 (1885-1966)Chester William Nimitz, Sr. (; February 24, 1885 – February 20, 1966) was a fleet admiral of... more4
2,122749George S. Patton
Dec. at 60 (1885-1945)George Smith Patton Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was a General of the United... more5
1,357476George Marshall
Dec. at 79 (1880-1959)George Catlett Marshall Jr. (December 31, 1880 – October 16, 1959) was an American soldier and... more6
1,816662Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dec. at 79 (1890-1969)Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower ( EYE-zən-how-ər; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an... more7
1,401558William Tecumseh Sherman
Dec. at 71 (1820-1891)William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier,... more8
1,113472John J. Pershing
Dec. at 88 (1860-1948)General of the Armies John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948)... more9
1,159545Omar Bradley
Dec. at 88 (1893-1981)General of the Army Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893 – April 8, 1981) was a senior... more10
884401William Halsey, Jr.
Dec. at 77 (1882-1959)Fleet Admiral William Frederick Halsey Jr., KBE (October 30, 1882 – August 16, 1959), known as... more11
1,919943Robert E. Lee
Dec. at 63 (1807-1870)Robert Edward Lee was an American soldier best known for commanding the Confederate Army of... more12
540270David Farragut
Dec. at 69 (1801-1870)David Glasgow Farragut (also spelled Glascoe; July 5, 1801 – August 14, 1870) was a flag... more13
591165Raymond A. Spruance
Dec. at 83 (1886-1969)Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 – December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral in... more14
634285Henry H. Arnold
Dec. at 64 (1886-1950)Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold (June 25, 1886 – January 15, 1950) was an American general officer... more15
880284Nathanael Greene
Dec. at 44 (1742-1786)Sent by Washington to replace Gates in the South and drive Cornwallis out of South Carolina. He was called the Fighting Quaker and had been Washinton's Quartermaster.
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781247Chesty Puller
Dec. at 73 (1898-1971)Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971) was a United States Marine... more17
1,035609Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr.
Dec. at 78 (1934-2012)Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. (; August 22, 1934 – December 27, 2012) was a United States... more18
961549Andrew Jackson
Dec. at 78 (1767-1845)Led U.S. troops to victory over the British in the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812.19
1,416861Douglas MacArthur
Dec. at 84 (1880-1964)General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1880 – April 5, 1964) was an American... more20
531274Matthew Ridgway
Dec. at 98 (1895-1993)General Matthew Bunker Ridgway (March 3, 1895 – July 26, 1993) was a senior officer in the... more21
864319John Paul Jones
Dec. at 45 (1747-1792)Best-known naval leader for the U.S. in the Revolutionary War.22
569325Philip Sheridan
Dec. at 57 (1831-1888)Philip Henry Sheridan (March 6, 1831 – August 5, 1888) was a career United States Army officer... more23
1,373578Stonewall Jackson
Dec. at 39 (1824-1863)Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (January 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863) served as a Confederate... more24
643430Winfield Scott
Dec. at 80 (1786-1866)Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786 – May 29, 1866) was an American military commander and political... more25
947642Theodore Roosevelt
Dec. at 61 (1858-1919)Led American troops, the Roughriders, up San Juan Hill for decisive victory. Was eventually awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, in 2001, for his actions.
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