United States Commanders in Chief

United States Commanders in Chief. . Our Constitution names the President of the United States the Commander in Chief of all the Armed Forces. Presidents who have served in our military are displayed on the following plaques. Each has served either on Active Duty, in the National Guard or in the Reserves. History will judge their performance as President and as Commander in Chief, usually long after they have served. Each President is to be commended for their service and each fill the office of President in a particular time-frame, confronted with unique problems and circumstances. It is fitting that we honor their service here., George Washington, 1st President , President Washington served in the Virginia Militia from 1752-1758 rising to the rank of Colonel. He served as a General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army from 1755 [sic - 1775]-1783 during the Revolutionary War as Lt. General. He was our first President and is well known as the father of the Republic. In 1976, President Ford posthumously appointed Washington "General of the Armies" and specified that he would forever rank above all officers past, present and future., James Monroe, 5th President , President Monroe served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He crossed the Delaware River with Washington holding the American flag. He attained the rank of Major. After the war President Jefferson appointed him to the Military Commission of Virginia at the rank of Lt. Colonel., Andrew Jackson, 7th President , President Jackson served with the Continental Army at age 13 as a messenger. He was captured by the British and held as a prisoner, the only US President to be a POW. He attained the rank of Major General in the War of 18 12. He is the only President to serve in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 18 12.