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Favorite US Military General?

Re: Favorite US Military General?

I would take Sherman as well. No one was sure if the March to the Sea was even possible when he started. He divided his forces so that what little Confederate army stood in his way could not mass against him. Confederate commanders could never be certain where he would strike. Then, after completing this march through Georgia, he turned north and destroyed South Carolina, marched through North Carolina - erasing the last remnants of an army they had - and arrived in Virginia in time to help win the war.

The original question asked for your favorite US General, so neither Lee nor Jackson are acceptable answers. If someone asked, "Who was the most influential American in 2001?" the answer 'Osama bin Laden' would be incorrect.
 
Re: Favorite US Military General?

Nathan Bedford Forrest displayed some amazing and innovative tactics in the south during the Civil War. Sherman so feared his threat to his supply lines that he dispatached large numbers of troops just to keep Forrest's cavalry brigade occupied. Most of my other favorites are Civil War era as well. John Hunt Morgan, Patrick Cleburne, Richard Taylor, Jackson and Lee for the Union James Wilson, Winfield Scott Hancock, John Buford, Phil Sheridan and Sherman.

I don't know why Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Mexican War would exempted but Nathaniel Greene, Baron Von Steuben and Lafayette would make my pre Civil War list along with Washington.
 
Re: Favorite US Military General?

Old Pio said:
I like visiting Namby Pamby Land as much as the next guy, but Ermey isn't even a gunnery sergeamt. let alone a general.
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he was discharged as a Staff Seargent but was honoraly promoted to Gunnery Seargent in 2002.
 
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Re: Favorite US Military General?

Rimbaud said:
So when the OP asked for Generals from the Civil War to today, you went with one from pre-Civil War to the Civil War. Cunning strategery.
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Actually, dubbie 31 (another exemplary DU poster) started this thread. I might be inclined to select Chet Nimitz, who sent four front line Jap carriers to the bottom, ending the offensive capability of the Imperial Navy, marking the beginning of the end of the Pacific war.

Grant might be a candidate. He marched his troops around behind Vickburg (which was thought to be impossible) and caused the city to surrender. You can mark the end of the Confederacy as July 4, 1863 the day Vickburg surrendered and the day after Lee retreated from Gettyburg after having been mauled badly. Game over.
 
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Re: Favorite US Military General?

Proud2baLaker said:
he was discharged as a Staff Seargent but was honoraly promoted to Gunnery Seargent in 2002.
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An honoray promotion not recognized by the USMC. He can be promoted to Admirial of the Togoland Navy, he's still a staff sergeant.
 
Re: Favorite US Military General?

Priceless said:
I would take Sherman as well. No one was sure if the March to the Sea was even possible when he started. He divided his forces so that what little Confederate army stood in his way could not mass against him. Confederate commanders could never be certain where he would strike. Then, after completing this march through Georgia, he turned north and destroyed South Carolina, marched through North Carolina - erasing the last remnants of an army they had - and arrived in Virginia in time to help win the war.

The original question asked for your favorite US General, so neither Lee nor Jackson are acceptable answers. If someone asked, "Who was the most influential American in 2001?" the answer 'Osama bin Laden' would be incorrect.
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Here's an excerpt of a letter Sherman wrote to a secessionist friend. He got it right on the nose.

You people of the South don't know what you are doing. This country will be drenched in blood, and God only knows how it will end. It is all folly, madness, a crime against civilization! You people speak so lightly of war; you don't know what you're talking about. War is a terrible thing! You mistake, too, the people of the North. They are a peaceable people but an earnest people, and they will fight, too. They are not going to let this country be destroyed without a mighty effort to save it... Besides, where are your men and appliances of war to contend against them? The North can make a steam engine, locomotive, or railway car; hardly a yard of cloth or pair of shoes can you make. You are rushing into war with one of the most powerful, ingeniously mechanical, and determined people on Earth—right at your doors. You are bound to fail. Only in your spirit and determination are you prepared for war. In all else you are totally unprepared, with a bad cause to start with. At first you will make headway, but as your limited resources begin to fail, shut out from the markets of Europe as you will be, your cause will begin to wane. If your people will but stop and think, they must see in the end that you will surely fail.

Sounds a bit like Admiral Yamamoto's understanding of what the Japanese were going to encounter when they took on the United States. His observation (almost certainly apocryphal) in "Tora Tora Tora" makes the point: "I fear all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve." You got that right, toots.
 
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Re: Favorite US Military General?

Priceless said:
The original question asked for your favorite US General, so neither Lee nor Jackson are acceptable answers. If someone asked, "Who was the most influential American in 2001?" the answer 'Osama bin Laden' would be incorrect.
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It doesn't surprise me that you don't exactly have a firm grasp on history - especially military history. Lee and Jackson are both considered American generals, given that the Civil War was a battle fought with Americans on both sides. That's why there are military posts today and weapons systems of the past named after both Union AND Confederate generals.

Sorry that kind of information isn't printed on the back of a Cheetos bag.
 
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Re: Favorite US Military General?

Red Cloud said:
It doesn't surprise me that you don't exactly have a firm grasp on history - especially military history. Lee and Jackson are both considered American generals, given that the Civil War was a battle fought with Americans on both sides. That's why there are military posts today and weapons systems of the past named after both Union AND Confederate generals.

Sorry that kind of information isn't printed on the back of a Cheetos bag.
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"Double the lad's bet, you toad." The greatest accomplishments of Lee and Jackson came after they renounced their citizenships and pledged allegiance to another country, which declared war on and attacked the United States. And while they were certainly "Americans" in the fullest sense of the word, I think Priceless is right to suggest they shouldn't be included in this list. At least it's not as cut and dry as you suggest, notwithstanding whatever is or is not printed on Cheetos bags. The fact that we have come to honor and respect their abilities doesn't make them "American" generals. At least not without an asterisc.

OMG, I'm defending Priceless. :eek:
 
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Re: Favorite US Military General?

Old Pio said:
An honoray promotion not recognized by the USMC. He can be promoted to Admirial of the Togoland Navy, he's still a staff sergeant.
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He received that from the Commandant of the Marine Corp at the time. seems odd that it wouldnt be recognized. Photos of him in dress after 2002 show him with a gunnery seargent patch. Not trying to start an argument or anything.
 
Re: Favorite US Military General?

Proud2baLaker said:
He received that from the Commandant of the Marine Corp at the time. seems odd that it wouldnt be recognized. Photos of him in dress after 2002 show him with a gunnery seargent patch. Not trying to start an argument or anything.
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What's on his DD214? Was it amended after this "post service promotion?" If so, I concede the point. I think I saw video of the presentaton you mentioned. Maybe the Marines figured since the guy has generated so much good publicity, he deserves the stripe. But he didn't earn it on active duty, and getting it after he was discharged falls into the category of publicity stunt, IMO. Was he in long enough to draw a pension? If so, what rank is his check based on? He may be entitled to wear "gunny" stripes based on the "honorary" promotion, I still doubt that's how he's listed in official Marine Corps records. You're right, it isn't a major point, especially since we're talking about generals and whether he's a "gunny" or not hardly qualifies him for this discussion.

In the 70's a holdout Japanese serviceman by the name of Sergeant Yokoi was found and returned to Japan to a hero's welcome. He had been promoted to sergeant when he was presumed dead. And when the government realized they owed him 28 years worth of sergeant's pension, his rank was reduced back to corporal. Of course he made out like a bandit anyway, what with a book and other money making ventures. Ultimately, he was buried under a headstone his mother had puchased when he was declared "dead."
 
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Re: Favorite US Military General?

I was in Atlanta over the weekend visiting a friend and his wife. The wife's mother, a southern belle, joined us for lunch. When she found out I had a horse she asked what his name was and I answered "Sherman". It got quiet. Then she asked me where I came up with that name and, smiling, I told her his registered name was William Tecumseh Sherman because he's a tremendous trail horse that goes through anything! She didn't say another word. Go figure.
 
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