Karl Heidenreich wrote:This could be an interesting exercise. Which are the best and worst US military commanders? Maybe those definitions are bit relative which is why anyone can have their own criteria. And military in every dimension: air, sea, land.
It would help though I think if one mentions the criteria they choose to use. I'm not big on "best" or "worst" lists as is probably quite apparent by now. I will make some comments on these though. \
The Best:
1. George Washington
Washington was a very inspirational leader who did performed some remarkable feets in preserving the Continental Army. When he saw an opertunity he was also willing to commit. I'm not sure I've seen much to indicate he was great as either a defenceive or offenseive tactician.
2. Chester Nimitz
Nimitz did a good job at the strategic level. Again we don't have much to judge him on on the tactical level.
3. George Patton Jr.
Pretty much the opposite of Nimitz a superb tactician but it's not clear how good he would be at the strategic level.
4. Stonewall Jackson
5. James Longstreet
Pretty much in the same catagory as Patton in my book.
8. Curtis Le May
He did a very workman like job but I'm uncertain of why he would deserve a best.
9. Robert E. Lee
Defintily deserves to be in the top 10.
10. Douglas McArthur
Mac was rather flawed. He showed instances of brilliance but also reacted very poorly to surprises. He should really have done better in the Philipines early in the war and at the start of the Korean war.
As for American we could include both: Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse also.
The Amerindians probably deserve a whole thread to themselves. The resources they had available and the constraintes they operated under were so different from the US or CS military that it's hard to compare them.
Not mentioned but commanders I've been impressed with that weren't mentioned. Greene (winning a campaign without winning a battle), Morgan, Light Horse Harry Lee for the Revolution. Sam Houstan, "Chesty" Puller, Pershing ( This page makes a case for March as well:
http://www.historynet.com/peyton-c-marc ... -war-i.htm), Abrams, Bradly, Sprague, Fletcher, Clifton Cates, Harry Schmidt, and Vandegrift. I'll stop there as more recent ones might get us into the political arena.
I am a bit curious just how you came up with this list.
The Worst:
1. Ambrose E. Burnside
2. Joseph Hooker
3. Jubal Early
4. George Armstrong Custer
He was considered to be one of the best cavalry commanders of the ACW. He only screwed up once as opposed to Mac who did at least twice.
5. Lloyd Frendehall
6. Colin Powel
? Can't see any reason to list him here.
7. William Halsey
8. JEB Stuart
Both made one glaring mistake but surved very well otherwise.
9. William Westmoreland
10. Wesley Clark
Not sure how you could leave St Clair off the worst list either. He managed to loose 1/4 of the entire US Army in a single battle. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Clair%27s_Defeat
Which list does Benedict Arnold go on?