United States War Department

The United States Department of War was the department of the United States government's executive branch responsible for the operation and maintenance of land (and later air) forces from 1789 until September 18, 1947, when it became part of the National Military Establishment, renamed on August 10, 1949 as the Department of Defense. The War Department was headed by the Secretary of War, who was also a member of the President's Cabinet. The War Department was also referred to as the War Office.
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