Re: USA military operations
It's difficult to compare campaigns conducted decades apart, over time periods where there have been great technological changes. Still, I've always felt the German Army in the 20th century as being particularly brilliant, in both offensive and defensive operations, even though often handicapped by a great inferiority in numbers. It appears the deciding factor, even more so than novel tactics and doctrine, was superior training.
Then again, although it can be argued the German Army was, man for man, the best of the 20th century, after initial successes it still managed to lose both the wars it fought.
"Amateurs discuss strategy, professionals discuss logistics."