<sod>Congress created the rank of general of the armies specifically for Washington, although while living he never officially accepted the honor. Pershing received the rank in 1919 and was allowed to choose his own insignia; he chose to use four gold stars, but never actually wore the rank on his uniform. While a conjectural design for the rank of general of the armies was proposed using six silver stars when the promotion of [[Douglas MacArthur]] to the rank was considered in 1945, no design was ever officially authorized. In 1976, Congressman [[Mario Biaggi]] of New York submitted a house resolution granting Washington the promotion. The promotion was effective on July 4, 1976, the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Although Pershing accepted the rank in 1919 and technically had a date of rank that preceded Washington's, the new [[s:Public Law 94-479|law]] specified that no other officer of the United States Army should ever outrank Washington, including Pershing. Hence, effective date of rank notwithstanding, Washington was permanently made superior to all other officers of the United States Armed Forces, past or present.<ref>{{cite wikisource |title= Public Law 94-479 |wslink= Public Law 94-479 |year= 1976 }}</ref><eod>
<sod>Congress created the rank of general of the armies specifically for Washington, although while living he never officially accepted the honor. Pershing received the rank in 1919 and was allowed to choose his own insignia; he chose to use four gold stars. While a conjectural design for the rank of general of the armies was proposed using six silver stars when the promotion of [[Douglas MacArthur]] to the rank was considered in 1945, no design was ever officially authorized. In 1976, Congressman [[Mario Biaggi]] of New York submitted a house resolution granting Washington the promotion. The promotion was effective on July 4, 1976, the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Although Pershing accepted the rank in 1919 and technically had a date of rank that preceded Washington's, the new [[s:Public Law 94-479|law]] specified that no other officer of the United States Army should ever outrank Washington, including Pershing. Hence, effective date of rank notwithstanding, Washington was permanently made superior to all other officers of the United States Armed Forces, past or present.<ref>{{cite wikisource |title= Public Law 94-479 |wslink= Public Law 94-479 |year= 1976 }}</ref><eod>