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In December of 1944, the new five star officer rank was created, allowing generals and admirals to place a total of five stars on their uniforms and flags. In all, four Army generals, four Navy admirals and one Air Force general have held this rank. General Henry "Hap" Arnold was actually awarded this rank twice. In 1944, he received his fifth star while the air force was still part of the Army, known as the US Army Air Corps. After the Air Force separated from the Army, Arnold became the new service's only five star general on May 7, 1949.
NASM.2006.0032
United States. Air Force
bulk 1949
NASM Aeronautics Division, Transfer, 2006
0.1 Cubic feet ((1 folder))
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This is the twenty by fourteen inch illuminated certificate that was presented to General Arnold at his award ceremony when he became the first and only five star general of the Air Force on May 7, 1949.
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Henry "Hap" Arnold Five Star General Illuminated Certificate, Accession number 2006-0032, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics, Military
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Certificates