Greatest American General

[Bro. James Reed]

Kayla, the topic is Greatest American General, even though the opening post states U.S., I would think we would include those of the Confederacy.

Stonewall Jackson would have won the war for us had he not been shot accidentally by his own men.

Lee was a great tactitioner, but he just didn't have the manpower to win with his plans.

Jackson was a brilliant strategist who was good at winning with the limited numbers he had.

If they war was fought today, with the same generals, I think we would stand a better chance of winning. Mostly because liberals, who are mostly in the Yankee states, would be opposed to those "illegal military actions" of the government.

 

[Roy]

Douglas MacArthur gets my vote for greatest American General, but I feel like I am dissing George Washington when I say that.

Roy

 

[blackbird]

Yes! It was "Brad" who initiated "Operation: Cobra" and the breakout in Normandy---to which the "Little Fart" Monty tried to "steal the show"---all the way to and into Germany---Monty was always tryin' to steal the show!!! If it had been up to Monty---the world would still be fightin' a war of Attrition with the "Krauts"

 

[Stratiotes]

Originally posted by Kayla:
Wait I have something to say...Don't bite my head off but aren't Lee, Stonewall, and Forrest illeagal submissions because they were generals of the confederate states of America which at the time was a different country.

Not biting your head off - it is a common but false conception. Both nations claimed to be direct descendants of the original. So, from the Union point of view you would be correct but from the Confederate point of view anybody after would be disqualified.

 

[Stratiotes]

Since I'm sure not many will run out and buy/library borrow the Boyd book I mentioned...try this mini-biography out as a substitute/teaser for the book:
Ghengis John, The real mastermind of the Iraqi wars.

 

[church mouse guy]

Some say that Marshall was only a figurehead.

I never thought ill of Westmoreland because I felt that he was micromanaged by LBJ.

As for Tommy Franks, I think that he should run for President so that we can use his military abilities to defeat Arab and Islamic terrorism.

No one has mentioned William Henry Harrison.

 

[carpro]

Originally posted by Kayla:
Wait I have something to say...Don't bite my head off but aren't Lee, Stonewall, and Forrest illeagal submissions because they were generals of the confederate states of America which at the time was a different country.

I consider all who participated in the War Between the States to be Americans and citizens of the U.S.
The South made an effort to secede and was unsuccessful by force of arms. Therefore, I would consider them nothing more than rebellious citizens of the U.S.
I'm sure we'll have some difference of opinion on that aspect of the subject.

 

[carpro]

I'll throw out a couple of my choices.

Great generals who did the most with the least: George Washington & Robert E. Lee

Bravest Leader of Men: Lewis B. (Chesty) Puller, Winner of 5 Navy Crosses.

For those of you who don't know him:

This is an often-used tribute of supreme respect to the late and legendary Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller USMC. Chesty! Without a doubt was the most outspoken Marine, the most famous Marine, the Marine who really loved to fight, the most decorated Marine in the history of the Corps. He enlisted as a Private. Through incredible fortitude and tenacity he became a living legend. He shouted battle orders in a bellow and stalked battlefields as though impervious to enemy fire as he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General. He displayed an abiding love for the Magnificent Grunts, especially the junior enlisted men who did the majority of the sacrificing and dying, and utter contempt for all staff pogues of whatever rank. During his four wars, he was the only Marine to win the Navy Cross five times for heroism and gallantry in combat. The Marines' Marine!
In addition to the Navy Crosses, the highest honor the Navy can bestow, he holds its Army equivalent, the Distinguished Service Cross.
His 14 personal decorations, excluding those from foreign governments, certainly are part of Puller's enduring lore, but perhaps the stories of his leadership, courage, honor, and fighting ability are his most important legacy.
They serve as reminders and inspiration to generations of Marines that leading by example is the most important trait we can possess.

 

[church mouse guy]

I have never heard that George Washington was considered a good general. People always say that he won in spite of the fact that he was not a good general.

U.S. Grant said that Lee was a great general but that he fought for an ignoble, unworthy cause.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Believe it or not, Benedict Arnold was one of the greatest tactical American generals before his act of treason.

 

[carpro]

Originally posted by church mouse guy:
U.S. Grant said that Lee was a great general but that he fought for an ignoble, unworthy cause.

It has also been said that Grant squandered the lives of Union soldiers.

 

[mioque]

"the topic is Greatest American General, even though the opening post states U.S., I would think we would include those of the Confederacy."
"
On that note I nominate FIDEL CASTRO


What?

As for Washington, he was just like William the Silent, brilliant politician, lousy general.

 

[JGrubbs]

Are you comparing Castro to the CSA Genreals?

 

[carpro]

Originally posted by mioque:
"the topic is Greatest American General, even though the opening post states U.S., I would think we would include those of the Confederacy."
"
On that note I nominate FIDEL CASTRO

 

[Bro. James Reed]

I said Generals, not Generalisimos.

I wouldn't classify a dictator as a General anyway.

He's no more a General than Saddam Hussein was, unless you want to say he's "General-ly" annoying.

 

[church mouse guy]

What about General Crook, who defeated the Indians at Rosebud?

 

[Stratiotes]

Gen. Charles Lee would have been a better choice than Gen. Washington. There is much in Washington to be admired - generalship is not one of those things.
Charles Lee, in contrast, did not have the moral character and he was not a very likeable person but he was a gifted general. Still, I don't think he fits inthe class of greatest - but then again, he never had the opportunity to prove himself at the same level as others have.
Charles Lee Bio

 

[carpro]

Originally posted by Stratiotes:
Gen. Charles Lee would have been a better choice than Gen. Washington. There is much in Washington to be admired - generalship is not one of those things.
Charles Lee, in contrast, did not have the moral character and he was not a very likeable person but he was a gifted general. Still, I don't think he fits inthe class of greatest - but then again, he never had the opportunity to prove himself at the same level as others have.
Charles Lee Bio

Maybe we could put Washington down as the luckiest General in our history.

 

[mioque]

"Are you comparing Castro to the CSA Genreals? "
"
No, I just don't know the names of any Canadian, Peruvian or Mexican generals (accomplished or not).
I was making a (corny) joke about Carpro using a term 'American' that can refer to both a continent and a country.

That's why I put :"What?" under my remark a wellknown sign on most of the internet that the poster just posted something politically incorrect as a joke.

 

[Turpius]

Nathanael Greene
William Henry Harrison

as well as several others already mentioned.