Chronologically, James T. Kirk held the rank of Rear Admiral longer than he was a starship Captain. Kirk became a flag officer in 2270 upon completion of the USS Enterprise's five-year mission .

30 years after Captain Kirk's death in Star Trek: Generations, William Shatner's iconic character gets to say farewell to his best friend Spock.

The Star Trek franchise is resurrecting William Shatner's Captain James T. Kirk once more, as Kirk takes charge in the bleak, futuristic series Star Trek: The Last Starship.