Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 01:46 AM UTC
Admiral of the Navy
This is the top military rank of the Navy. Only one man has ever been promoted to this rank, Admiral George Dewey. This rank is senior to General of the Army, which is if the two ranks were held concurrently.

Admiral Dewey was promoted to his rank by act of congress in 1903 and was retroactive to 1899. This rank was equal to Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Navy. The position has been vacant since Admiral Dewey’s death in 1917.

During World War II the rank was considered for Admiral Nimitz as the invasion of Japan appeared imminent. However after Japan surrendered the rank was dropped.
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Comments

Halfyank
Very interesting. I'd heard of Fleet Admiral, ie. 5 stars, but not Admiral of the Navy. It's also interesting how the rank insignia is only 4 stars, but the sleeve stripes are so distinctive.
FEB 10, 2010 - 05:16 AM
gator
Would this have made Dewey equivalent to Adm. King during WWII?
FEB 10, 2010 - 05:52 AM
goldenpony
Dewey would have outranked King. Dewey was equal to that of a 6 star. King was only a 5 star and the CNO. So tecnhically King out ranked Nimitz. Leahy was promoted two days before King, so he in turn out ranked King. But since Leahy Chief of Staff to Roosevelt, I am not 100% sure how the Naval pecking order worked between King and himself. To be 100% honest I did not even know about the Admiral of the Navy rank until I read about it.
FEB 10, 2010 - 06:23 AM
md72
Lotsa fun: Leahy was effectively the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (years b4 position existed) so King would have 'reported' to Leahy, Ignore all the Secretary of the Navy stuff... At the time 1899 there were no 3 or 4 star generals in the Army, Grant, Sherman and Sheridan had all held 4 stars as 'General of the Army'. But the position as well as Lieutenant General (3 stars) went out of use when Sheridan died. In all of this isn't there always a movement afoot to be sure George Washington always outranks any military officer?
FEB 10, 2010 - 06:40 AM
goldenpony
Yes, there is a semi-active movement to make sure this does not happen. He is considered to be the highest ranking military office in American history by some. I am not sure if any official statement will ever be made by the DOD about it. In reality, unless something MAJOR happens, he will always be considered to be the American General.
FEB 10, 2010 - 07:21 AM
md72
I'm not crazy, if Wiki is to be believed:
FEB 10, 2010 - 07:45 AM
goldenpony
Yes, I recall reading that. I do take wiki items with a grain of salt. But it is a good start.
FEB 10, 2010 - 02:21 PM
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