Grand Admiral (Star Wars)
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In the Expanded Universe literature of Star Wars, Grand Admiral is a supreme Imperial rank of the Galactic Empire, outranking all other political and military personnel, including Imperial Moffs. Grand Admiral Thrawn, of the Timothy Zahn novels, is one such science fiction character who held this highest of naval ranks.
Grand Admirals are directly appointed by Emperor Palpatine and answer directly to the Emperor, or his authorized executors, in all matters. The creation of the rank of Grand Admiral was widely recognized as a method of bringing the Imperial Military more fully under the control of the Emperor. In the Imperial Army, the equivalent of a Grand Admiral is known as Grand General. Some Star Wars sources also give reference to a rank known as Grand Marshal which is conjectured to be held by the supreme commander of all Imperial starfighter forces.
At the time of the Battle of Endor, marked by many as the beginning of the fall of the Galactic Empire, there were a total of twelve Grand Admirals and Grand Generals in service.
The insignia for Grand Admiral is seven blue and red rectangles, with two code cylinders, worn on a white uniform. An alternate version of the rank badge displays six blue rectangles with three yellow and three red. Grand Admiral Thrawn is shown to be wearing this alternate insignia on the cover of the Timothy Zahn novel Heir to the Empire.
The original concept of a Star Wars Grand Admiral was based on the actual rank of Grand Admiral in the German Navy.