List of United States military leaders by rank

This is a list of the highest-ranking general and flag officers (generals and admirals) who have served in the armed forces of the United States. Only those holding a rank equivalent to the modern rank of five stars or more, or four stars at a time when such rank was extraordinary, are listed. The highest rank held by anyone in the U.S. armed forces since 1981 is four stars, or a pay grade of "O-10". There are dozens serving with this rank at the present time. Ranks higher than this are usually awarded only in times of large-scale mobilization and warfare.

The ranks General of the Armies and Admiral of the Navy (held by the top three on this list) have been essentially honorary ranks as all recipients were given these ranks for their service. Titles such as "general-in-chief", "chief of staff", and "Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff" are military assignments, not ranks, and thus do not affect the contents of this list, although these assignments did affect the status of seniority and/or chain-of-command when they were serving in these positions. Listed by rank then seniority (date appointed to the rank)