Over the years, the United States has produced many remarkable generals and admirals, but only a few have stood out as world-class strategists and leaders of troops. As Veterans Day approaches on November 11, let’s remember and celebrate them. Here is my list of America’s finest 11 commanders.
Ulysses S. Grant, 1822 – 1885 (Civil War)
No U.S. military man in history rose from such humble beginnings and abject failure to be so successful and world-renowned as did Hiram Ulysses Grant. He was a simple man with simple tastes — for breakfast he ate vinegar-soaked cucumbers and he was so revolted by the sight of blood his meat had to be cooked extra-well. To those who knew of his pre-war string of bad luck and business disappointments, this cigar-chomping, taciturn soldier seemed a most unlikely savior of the Union. As one Northern journalist put it: “How profoundly surprised Mrs. Grant must have been when she woke up and learned that her husband was a great man.”
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