Major General

In the United States Marine Corps Major General is a two-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-8. Major General ranks above Brigadier General and below Lieutenant General. Major General is equivalent to a rear admiral (upper half) in the other uniformed services.

There was no Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps until Commandant Charles Heywood was specially promoted by Act of Congress in July 1902. From his retirement on October 3, 1903, Brigadier General was again the highest rank in the Marine Corps until May 21, 1908 when the office of Commandant was raised to the rank of Major General. It remained the highest rank in the Marine Corps until January 20, 1942 when the office of Commandant was raised to the rank of Lieutenant General.