The first American General in the 13 American colonies fight for independence during the American Revolutionary War, he was also our first President. During the United States Bicentennial year, George Washington was posthumously appointed to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States by the congressional joint resolution Public Law 94-479 passed on January 19, 1976, with an effective appointment date of July 4, 1976. (Other Five Star Generals were given the rank of “General of the Army” [singular], making Washington the highest ranking American military officer in history.