Robert McDonald held an enlisted rank for a short period of time in World War II before accepting an officer's commission. The technician ranks were removed after World War II, and the pay grades (E-1 through E-7) were reversed. Ranks marked with an asterisk (*) are those that were held by McDonald at various times in his career.
The system of rank for U.S. Army officers used in World War II and Korea is the same as that used today. The first ranks to be defined were those of Brigadier General (one silver star) and Major General (two silver stars) in 1780. The rank of Lt. General (three silver stars) was established in 1798. The rank of Colonel (an eagle) was established in 1832. In 1836 the ranks of Major (gold leaf), Lt. Colonel (silver leaf), Captain (two silver bars) and First Lieutenant (one silver bar) were established. The rank of General (four silver stars) was established in 1866. The rank of Second Lieutenant (one gold bar) was established in 1917. The rank of General of the Army (five silver stars) was established in 1944, and could only be held by four officers at any time. Along with the five stars, the rank of General of the Army was accompanied by the Coat of Arms of the United States.
