THE VERY MODEL OF A MODERN MAJOR GENERAL

At what point did American generals start looking like Ruritanian doormen? Well, I suspect Winfield Scott in the Halls of Montezuma probably had a lot of plumage on display, but it probably would pale in the face of the half-a-chest worth of ribbons, buttons and bows on General David Petraeus. No wonder no one in Congress dares stand up to him.

Compare that with the dress portrait of a lesser military figure, like, say, General Dwight Eisenhower.