Today is Memorial Day, a day for reflection and celebration of America's veterans over the course of 259 years of Anglo-American military history dating back to the French and Indian War (1754-1763) that was the North American theater of the Seven Years War that raged in Europe during that time. The President of the United States of America is also known to the military as the Commander-in-Chief, but did you realize there have been many who served in the military in some capacity? Below is a list of the presidents who served in the U.S. military in such ways:
General of the Armies [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 1 General of the Armies of the United States Virginia militia, Continental Army,United States Army George Washington[1][2] French and Indian War, Revolutionary War Served in the Virginia militia (1752–1758), attaining the rank of colonel; served as commander in chief of the Continental Army (1775–1783) during the Revolutionary War, with the rank of "General and Commander in Chief." Washington was a Lieutenant General in the United States Army at his death. In 1976, then-president Gerald R. Ford posthumously appointed Washington as General of the Armies of the United States and specified that he would forever rank above all officers of the Army, past, present and future. The rank of General of the Armies is considered senior to General of the Army, and has been bestowed on only two officers in history, John J. Pershing, in 1919 for his services in World War I, and George Washington for his service as the first Commanding General of the United States Army. (An equivalent rank, Admiral of the Navy, was given to George Dewey.)
General of the Army [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 2 General of the Army United States Army (Regular army) Dwight D. Eisenhower Supreme Commander of the Allied Invasion of Europe, primarily the Battles for Normandy, France and GermanyWorld War II. Graduated West Point; served 1915–1952. Served stateside during World War I and as Supreme Allied Commander during World War II. (O-10)
General [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 3 General of the Army United States Army (Regular Army) Ulysses S. Grant Mexican-American War and Civil War Graduated West Point; first Lieutenant General since Washington, appointed as four-star General of the Army in 1866. (O-8)
Major General [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 4 Major General North Carolina militia, Tennessee militia, United States Army Andrew Jackson Revolutionary War, Creek War, War of 1812, First Seminole War. Served at age 13 as a militia messenger during the Revolutionary War; was captured, becoming the only President to have been held as a prisoner of war (Washington had surrendered in the French and Indian War but was immediately paroled); served in the War of 1812, attaining the rank of major general and became a national hero after his success at the Battle of New Orleans. United States Army William H. Harrison Northwest Indian War, War of 1812 Dates of service: 1791–1798, 1812–1814. Became national hero after success at the Battle of the Thames. Zachary Taylor War of 1812, Black Hawk War, Second Seminole War, and Mexican-American War, Became a national hero because of his achievements in the Mexican-American War. Brevet Major General of Volunteers United States Army (volunteers) Rutherford B. Hayes Civil War Successful leadership in Virginia/West Virginia region; wounded at the Battle of South Mountain Major General of Volunteers James A. Garfield His heroic ride at the Battle of Chickamauga later helped him to be elected President. (O-7)
Brigadier General [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 9 Brigadier General of Volunteers United States Army (State militia, New Hampshire) Franklin Pierce Mexican-American War Enlisted as Private 9 Brigadier General of Volunteers United States Army Andrew Johnson Appointed Military Governor of Tennessee during Civil Warwith rank of Brigadier General None 9 Quartermaster General New York State militia Chester A. Arthur Non-combatant service only during Civil War Quartermaster’s Corps. Dates of service: 1860–1862. As a state quartermaster, he could not be mustered into Federal service. 9 Brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers United States Army (State militia, Indiana) Benjamin Harrison Civil War Battle of Perryville
Atlanta Campaign
Battle of Nashville(O-6)
Colonel [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 13 Colonel Virginia militia, Albemarle County Thomas Jefferson None Like other Virginia gentlemen, he had militia duties, and did administrative work Virginia militia, Orange County James Madison None, served between 1775-1781 during the Revolutionary War. Also see Service Notes. Left militia to enter Virginia legislature. (Some sources claim Madison briefly assumed command of an artillery battery during the British assault on Washington during the War of 1812. If true, he would join Washington (Whiskey Rebellion) as having seen military service as commander-in-chief.) State militia, Tennessee James K. Polk Unknown Served 1821 United States Army (State militia, New York National Guard, 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment aka the Rough Riders). Theodore Roosevelt Spanish American War Famous for charge up San Juan Hill. Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. As ex-president, volunteered for service in World War I, but President Wilson declined. United States Army (National Army) Harry S. Truman World War I Served 1905–1911, then in World War I, 129th Field Artillery (1917–1919), Army Reserves (1919–1953)[3] (O-5)
Commander [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 18 Commander United States Navy (U.S. Naval Reserve) Lyndon B. Johnson World War II Awarded Silver Star medal by General Douglas MacArthur for his role as an observer on a B-26 bomber mission.[4][5] (Controversial.).[6][7] 18 Commander United States Navy (U.S. Naval Reserve) Richard Nixon World War II Served 1942–1945 on various islands in the South Pacific and Commanded SCAT units in the South Pacific.[8] (O-4)
Major /
Lieutenant Commander [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 20 Major Continental Army, Virginia State Troops James Monroe Revolutionary War Dates of service: 1776–1779. Crossed the Delaware River with Washington (he is holding the flag in the famous painting); wounded in the Battle of Trenton. As Secretary of State during the War of 1812, scouted and deployed troops during the British invasion of Washington. 20 Brevet Major of Volunteers United States Army (Volunteers) William McKinley Civil War Served in the Army of the Potomac, originally with the 23rd Ohio Infantry same as President Rutherford B. Hayes. First major engagement in West Virginia in 1861 and was present at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. 20 Lieutenant Commander United States Navy (U.S. Naval Reserve) Gerald Ford World War II Years of service: 1942–1946. Served on USS Monterey. Earned 10 battle stars.[9][10] 20 Major Union Continentals (home guard),New York Militia Millard Fillmore None, Mexican-American War, Civil War Years of service: 1861 (after departure from Presidency) [11] (O-3)
Captain /
Lieutenant [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 24 Captain State militia, Virginia. John Tyler War of 1812 Raised a company for the defense of Richmond in 1813 24 Lieutenant United States Navy (U.S. Naval Reserve) John F. Kennedy World War II Commanded a PT boat. Earned Purple Heart and Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism in the PT-109 Incident.[12] 24 Lieutenant United States Navy (U.S. Naval Reserve) Jimmy Carter[13][14] None, USNA Midshipman during World War II, served during Korean War, but never sent to Korea Years of service: 1946–1953. Graduated 59th in class of 1946 out of 820, United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Submarine service (Nuclear Specialist) 24 Captain United States Army (U.S. Army Reserve) Ronald Reagan None, served during World War II Served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve; served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, attaining the rank of captain. Was barred from combat because of poor eyesight. Narrated pre-flight training films under the Army Air Forces Motion Picture Unit. (O-2)
First Lieutenant /
Lieutenant, Junior Grade [edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 29 Lieutenant, Junior Grade United States Navy (U.S. Naval Reserve) George H. W. Bush[15] World War II Youngest pilot in the United States Navy during World War II (age 19). EarnedDistinguished Flying Cross. 29 First Lieutenant United States Air Force (Texas Air National Guard) George W. Bush None He performed Air National Guard duty as an F-102 pilot through April 1972, logging a total of 336 flight hours. (E-2) Private
[edit]
Rank order Highest rank Branch President Combat experience Service notes 31 Private United States Army (State militia, Pennsylvania) James Buchanan War of 1812 Only future President who enlisted without going on to become an officer 31 Private State militia, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln Did not experience combat but served during Black Hawk War burying the dead shortly after battles ended. Initially elected to the officer rank of Captain, but was mustered in and out of service during the Black Hawk War, going from Captain to the enlisted rank of Private and finishing his service in an independent spy company commanded by Captain Jacob Early. Honorably discharged without seeing combat. Also served in Stillman's Run and Battle of Kellogg's Grove
It is these brave men who were dedicated to preserving our liberties that no doubt influenced many of the decisions they made when they became president.
On a blog to which I subscribed run by conservatives titled Conservative Blogs Central, the author of today's article, dedicated to Memorial Day, spoke so eloquently and yet in such simple terms that I could not possibly better express my sentiments toward the occasion. Below is his article, including a sharp admonition toward President Obama, who is no patriot and, as you might have heard or read in the news, recently did not return a U.S. Marine's salute when approaching his helicopter:
MONDAY, MAY 27
'Sentinel' Memorial Day: May 27, 2013
This Memorial day is one where I find myself deeply conflicted. Today is not about me in any way shape or form. Do NOT read that into this at all. Memorial day is not about picnics, barbeques, having a great big party nor is it a day to get drunk, wasted, stoned, wired, you know what I mean. The meaning of Memorial day has gotten lost. In my opinion I feel that it has become somewhat perverted and the true meaning of honoring those who gave their all, paid the ultimate price, contaminated by statist, progressive, regressive re-writing and definitions. I look at who, what is the so called POTUS of our once fine Republic and he who shall not be named in this post, is not the commander and chief. He is not a leader, but a coward, who is an insult to those who have paid such a high price to keep us free.
Those who sacrificed it all, have served, are currently serving, deserve our honor and respect. They do not need the hollow words of a manufactured traitor, one who would all but spit on the tomb of the unknown soldier and stab our military men and women in their collective backs.
This image of a lone Eagle, seeming to be on guard duty in a cemetery is one of the most powerful images I have ever looked upon. I love Eagles and always have. A sentinel is what came to my mind right away. I know many of you have seen this image, maybe a few times too many if that is possible. For me, it is not.
Thank you to all who have paid the highest price, who answered the call of our Republic when our country needed you. Thank you to all to are currently serving. I stand in your shadow, offering my respect, honor, prayers for your service and dedication. This seems like such a small offering from my heart for those who have served, are serving and who deserve the best we can give them and their respective families.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
May HE watch over each and every one of you, for eternity. May those who have been called home be washed in the bright sunlight of His truth.
PatriotUSA
*****************************SENTINEL
Isaiah 40:31
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
From the NASB Bible which is what I read and study.
These are the words of the contributor to the blog known only as PatriotUSA. I do not think I could have expressed my feelings of gratitude toward past and present members of U.S. military without having to endeavor in a very long, drawn out piece, whereas this individual, who is no doubt wise and intelligent, was able to convey his message in a simple, concise manner. My dad, who reads each and every one of my posts and is my biggest critic, claims that my articles are complex in how they are written (i.e. diction, syntax) and in the points I analyze and how much rigorous research I conduct in forming and basing my theses and hypotheses in each piece. My interest in conservative-libertarian politics is such that only individuals who hold my values and beliefs that is our sacred duty to be what Thomas Jefferson called "an informed citizenry" in a non-casual manner would appreciate what I have to say. Sometimes, I wish this was not a trait I have, but be that as it may, I make no apologies for my very nature.
On that note, I want to wish everyone a very happy Memorial Day. Be safe, drink in moderation, and most importantly, remember the troops from the past 260 years who fought for and maintained our liberties with their blood. Also, be mindful of the fact that the old cliche "Freedom does not come free" is true in every since of the word. After all, we did not become the "land of the free" without bloodshed, and that, therefore, is the one, the only, and the greatest reason to venerate our troops from all eras.
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