Actually, you start from the top. The color represents the service, ie, red for infantry, chrome for armor, etc. The first 3 are private, private the 2nd class, private the first class. Then, Corpral, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant The next 2 are warrant officers but different design. Then Lt 2nd class, Lt and Captain. By now you see the relationship, 1 triangle, 2 triangles and 3 triangles. Then major, Lt. colonel, colonel. The last 5 are major general, Lt. general, general 2nd class, general 1st class and special general. The last one belongs to Chiang, he was the only one with that rank and then ROC abolished that rank in the 70s. His primary medals were: http://museum.mnd.gov.tw/wwwroot/hall_610.htm Order of Blue Sky and White Sun -1930 http://museum.mnd.gov.tw/wwwroot/hall_609.htm Order of National Glory -10/10/1943 Order of Brilliant Jade -1948 Order of Precious Tripod-2/24/1930 Order of Resplendent Banner -1/1/1936 Order of Renaissance and Honour Also check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_order...public_of_China I don't think Chiang rose from the rank. He was appointed as the Commander of the Hwang Pu Military Academy on 5/24/1924 and the rest is history