What is the most senior ranked officer that actually fights in a military battle?

I was wondering what is the highest ranked officer in the military that actually has a gun and is firing at the enemy during a battle?



If you have information about different branches of the military, that would be appreciated.



Thank You in advanceWhat is the most senior ranked officer that actually fights in a military battle?As stated before, "The higher up you go, the less chance of being in direct conflict"... This is very true. In Iraq during the battle of Al Tafar, There was a Lt. Colonel (US ARMY) who was actually leading a raid patrol into the city. In the process of clearing an alley way, he was shot multiple times by an enemy combatant on a roof top. This Lt. Colonel was killed. But that in itself is not the most highest ranking officer to actively lead a patrol and go into a battle zone. I can't think of his name, but there was a Brigadier General (1 Star),who went out on a combat raid to corrdon off a bulding where known insurgents were hiding. He was armed and protected(body armor, helmet, etc.) as much as a private or any other soldier on the battlefield. He even fired a few shots and was shot at. Why he did this? I have no idea. But for the most part, Generals, Colonels, and sometimes Majors will not actively take part in combat specific missions. They are high ranking individuals who are more closely related to politicians than any other officer in the military. They have thier duties and the lower ranking personell have theirs.What is the most senior ranked officer that actually fights in a military battle?
The size and nature of the battle usually determines the level of engagement and thus the casualties. The loss of high-ranking officers is rare. For example, in Iraq, three Army colonels have been killed. The latest, a man which I had met, to die was Colonel Thomas Felts who was killed in Baghdad by a roadside bomb. Fifteen Army lieutenant colonels have also died. Higher level officers are more likely to be killed by indirect fire such as bombs, artillery and even friendly fire. In addition there numbers as total composition of the force are very small. Less than one in several hundred the rank of Lt. Col or higher.



From a leadership perspective any officer above the Rank of Captain that is engaged in actively firing at the enemy has probably lost control of his leadership position and is in deep shat.What is the most senior ranked officer that actually fights in a military battle?A field general. Gen. Patton was known to have shot at an enemy plane with his pistol although it was totally useless doing so. That still didn't keep the plane from crashing into the ground either from pilot error or the other people shooting at the plane. The most recent highest rank I've heard of in the U.S. forces that actually shot at somebody was a colonel that pulled rank and was the gunner of an Apache during one sortie in the first Gulf War. He was totally unqualified and ended up killing some of his own troops. There are probably a few colonels in the air force flying fighters and bombers.
Once you get above Major (O-4), it's very rare to hold weapons and actually fight. Most then have a lot of staff, and have a HQ section to guard you.



In general, "direction action" ranks would be captain or lower. That'd be army and marines.



Navy and Air Force are more about commanding then actual fighting, so they don't really count.



The colonel that died in Iraq was classified as non-combat injuries.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/dis鈥?/a>What is the most senior ranked officer that actually fights in a military battle?in our day, having wars with no "front lines" anyone can get into fire fights, my battalion commander (a lieutenant colonel) got his combat infantry badge during our deployment in 2005. but pretty much anybody who leaves the wire can get into firefights, its unpredictable out there.



Oh yeah, I am Army, multiple deploymentsWhat is the most senior ranked officer that actually fights in a military battle?
this is a non linear war so anyone can get shot at or blown up if that's your definition of battle.

if you mean like kick in doors and go on raids and what not, then captain (o-3) at the highest, but thats very rare, if a captain does go along on a raid he'll most likely be in some sort of command post or witht he outer cordon..so realistically, a 2nd lt
There have been 4 star generals that have been directly involved in fighting battles. During the invasions on D-Day (June 6, 1944), several colonels and a few one and two star generals were on the beaches. General Schwarzkopf was on the battlefield in Iraq. Some four star Admirals have been on ships involved in combat. Admiral Nimitz comes to mind.What is the most senior ranked officer that actually fights in a military battle?
Technically, any rank can. I know reading an Iraq casualty that was a full bird colonel. If a general is in the area and they get attacked, he is a legit target and has every right to pick up his gun and shoot, too.
Generally speaking, Major is the highest where you usually go out on a regular basis.



Technically, any rank to go out and shoot people. But losing a General is usually not a good thing.
I think Colonels, but I suppose a general is on the front occasionally. The higher up you go, the less you concentrate on you fighting, and the more you concentrate on leading your men to the fight.
The highest ranked British soldier killed in combat is a colonel.Colonel "H" Jones was killed in actual combat leading his men from the front on the Falkland Islands in 1982.
If you look at pictures of Generals in combat zones they are carrying pistols. In older days Generals would have custom made pistols. Especially during the american civil war.
We had colonels land at normandy. I am not an expert at all.
Good question, I also want to know.