The rank Marshal of the People's Republic of China (traditional Chinese: 中華人民共和國元帥; simplified Chinese: 中华人民共和国元帅; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Yuánshuài) was awarded to ten veteran generals of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force in 1955.

Chen Yi also initially refused the rank in accordance to Mao's decree since he now primarily worked in government rather than the PLA.

[citation needed] As a result, the recipients of the rank were: Su Yu was left out but he became the most senior of the ten Da Jiang.

Lin Biao was the youngest and Zhu De was the oldest of the ten Marshals aged 48 and 69 respectively at time of conferment.

Three of the ten Marshals were addressed by their honorific of 老总 (Lao Zong, or "Old Chief") by Chairman Mao himself due to their seniority and long service.