Executor (Imperial rank)

The Executor was the person appointed by Emperor Palpatine to serve as commander-in-chief of the Galactic Empire's forces on behalf of the Emperor. The position was also referred to as Imperial Executor, Military Executor, Darkside Executor, or a number of combinations of the three. The minimum requirement was to be a dark-sider.

The original and most well-known Executor was Darth Vader, who served from the Empire's formation in 19 BBY until both his and Palpatine's deaths at the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY. It was from Vader's position that his flagship, Executor, got its name.

When Emperor Palpatine was "reborn" in clone bodies and led a renewed assault against the New Republic in 10–11 ABY, he named Sedriss as his new Executor. Sedriss was less capable than his predecessor and was killed by Ood Bnar shortly before Palpatine's final death. He was later replaced by Xecr Nist.

It is not believed that any other Imperial claimants named Executors of their own, and the position appears to have eventually disappeared and, to an extent, been replaced with that of Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet when Admiral Daala assumed full and total control of Imperial forces in 12 ABY.

Excluding the position of Emperor, the position of Executor appears to be have had more power and influence than all others, including Grand Moffs, Grand Admirals, Grand Generals, and the Grand Vizier. The fact that Vader had higher authority was no doubt due to his close relationship to Palpatine. Although never officially the second-in-command of the Empire, it would appear an Executor had that level of command over the Empire.

List of Executors

 * Darth Vader (19 BBY–4 ABY)
 * Sedriss (10 ABY)
 * Xecr Nist (10–11 ABY)