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War Department
The Pentagon
Office of the Administrative Assistant: REpublic 6700, Branch 3214
Bureau of Public Relations, Information: REpublic 6700, Branch 71736
Office of The Adjutant General, Information: REpublic 6700, Branch 3241
Officials Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson Under Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson Executive Officer Brig. Gen. E.S. Greenbaum Administrative Officer Lt. Col. Bayard Schieffelin Executive Assistant Howard C. Petersen Director of Production Lt. Gen. William S. Knudsen President, Board of Contract Appeals Col. Hugh C. Smith Chairman, War Department Price Adjustment Board Joseph M. Dodge Expert Consultant to Under Secretary of War Edward F. McGrady Special Assistant to Under Secretary of War M.J. Madigan Special Assistant to Under Secretary of War H.H. Neff Assistant Secretary of War John J. McCloy Assistant Secretary of War for Air Robert A. Lovett Administrative Assistant and Chief Clerk John W. Martyn Expert Consultant to the Secretary of War Brig. Gen. Benedict Crowell Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War Truman K. Gibson, Jr. Special Assistant to the Secretary of War Julius H. Amberg Special Assistant to the Secretary of War Harvey H. Bundy, Sr. Special Assistant to the Secretary of War Goldthwaite H. Dorr Aide to the Secretary of War Col. W.H. Kyle Deputy Administrative Assistant James C. Cook Clerk to the Secretary of War John W. Schott Personal Secretary Elizabeth C. Neary Private Secretaries to Under Secretary of War Lucille Mundy
Esther RiceChief Clerk to the Under Secretary of War Anna C. Lanigan Director of Civilian Personnel and Training William H. Kushnick Director, Bureau of Public Relations Maj. Gen. Alexander D. Surles Deputy Director, Bureau of Public Relations Falkner Heard General Staff Chief of Staff General of the Army George C. Marshall Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Thomas T. Handy Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. O.L. Nelson Secretary, General Staff Col. Frank McCarthy Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 (Personnel) Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Henry Director, Women's Army Corps Col. Oveta Culp Hobby Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 (Military Intelligence) Maj. Gen. Clayton Bissell Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 (Organization and Training) Maj. Gen. Ray E. Porter Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4 (Supply) Maj. Gen. R.L. Maxwell Assistant Chief, of Staff, Operations Maj. Gen. John E. Hull Chief, Legislative and Liaison Division Maj. Gen. Wilton B. Persons Director, Civil Affairs Division Maj. Gen. John H. Hilldring Director, Budget Division and Budget Officer of War Department Maj. Gen. George J. Richards President, War Department Manpower Board Maj. Gen. Lorenzo D. Gasser
The Inspector General Maj. Gen. Virgil L. Peterson Director, New Developments Division Brig. Gen. W.A. Borden Director, Special Planning Division Brig. Gen. W.F. Tompkins Army Service Forces Commanding General Lt. Gen. Brehon Somervell Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. W.D. Styer Director, Plans and Operations Maj. Gen. LeRoy Lutes Director, Control Division Maj. Gen. Clinton F. Robinson Deputy Chief of Staff for Service Commands Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Battley Provost Marshal General Maj. Gen. Archer L. Lerch Director, Intelligence Division Col. James M. Roamer Chief, National Guard Bureau Maj. Gen. John F. Williams, Acting Director of Personnel Maj. Gen. Joe N. Dalton Director, Military Personnel Division Col. Charles E. Hixon Director, Industrial Personnel Division Col. Ralph S. Gow Director, Special Services Division Maj. Gen. Joseph W. Byron Director, Officer Procurement Service Col. Earl G. Welsh Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. William R. Arnold Director, Morale Services Division Maj. Gen. F.H. Osborn Executive for Reserve and ROTC Affairs Brig. Gen. E.W. Smith Director, Personal Affairs Division Col. F. Granville Munson Director of Military Training Maj. Gen. Walter L. Weible Director, Training Requirements Division Col. W.C. Bennett Director, Troop Training Division Col. R.T. Buerket Director, School Division Col. A.W. Chilton Director of Supply Brig. Gen. Frank A. Heileman Director, Distribution Col. R.A. Case Director, Storage Division Col. A.B. Drake Director, Maintenance Division Col. W.S. Conrow Director of Matériel Howard Bruce, Acting Director, Purchases Division Col. Fred C. Foy Director, Production Division Brig. Gen. H.C. Minton Director, International Division Brig. Gen. D.C. Shindler Director, Renegotiation Division Col. Maurice Hirsch Director, Readjustment Division Brig. Gen. David N. Hauseman Fiscal Director Maj. Gen. Arthur H. Carter Chief of Finance Maj. Gen. Howard K. Loughry Audit Division Col. H.W. McEachren Accounts Division Col. H.W.H. Burrows Pay Allotments Division Col. D.H. Tyson Receipts and Disbursements Division Col. H.F. Chrisman Special Financial Services Division Col. John C. Mechem Administrative Division Col. D.T. Nelson The Adjutant General Maj. Gen. James A. Ulio The Judge Advocate General Maj. Gen. M.C. Cramer Technical Services: The Quartermaster General Maj. Gen. Edmund B. Gregory Chief of Ordnance Maj. Gen. L.H. Campbell, Jr. Chief of Chemical Warfare Service Maj. Gen. William N. Porter Chief of Engineers Maj. Gen. Eugene Reybold Chief Signal Officer Maj. Gen. H.C. Ingles The Surgeon General Maj. Gen. Norman T. Kirk Chief of Transportation Maj. Gen. C.P. Gross Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy Maj. Gen. Francis B. Wilby Service Commands: First Service Command Maj. Gen. Sherman Miles Second Service Command Maj. Gen. Thos. A. Terry Third Service Command Maj. Gen. Philip Hayes Fourth Service Command Maj. Gen. Frederick E. Uhl Fifth Service Command Maj. Gen. James L. Collins Sixth Service Command Maj. Gen. Russell B. Reynolds Seventh Service Command Maj. Gen. C.H. Danielson
Service Commands--Continued Eighth Service Command Maj. Gen. Richard Donovan Ninth Service Command Maj. Gen. William E. Shedd Army Ground Forces Commanding General, Army Ground Forces Gen. Joseph W. Stillwell Chief of Ground Staff Maj. Gen. James G. Christiansen Deputy Chief of Ground Staff Brig. Gen. William L. Mitchell Secretary of Ground Staff Lt. Col. Donald G. McLennan Ground Adjutant General Col. Everard F. Olsen G-1 (Personnel) Maj. Gen. Clyde L. Hyssong G-2 (Military Intelligence) Col. Gordon B. Rogers G-3 (Operations and Training) Maj. Gen. Leo Donovan G-4 (Supply) Brig. Gen. Loyal M. Haynes Requirements Maj. Gen. Albert W. Waldron Liaison (War Department) Col. John R. Francis Statistics Lt. Col. John W. Wurts Special Information Col. Wendell L. Clemenson Technical Information Col. Wendell L. Clemenson Antiaircraft Liaison Brig. Gen. Rupert E. Starr Chemical Col. Milton T. Hankins Engineer Col. John B. Hughes Fiscal Lt. Col. Robert E. Benjamin Historical Lt. Col. Kent R. Greenfield Medical Brig. Gen. Frederick A. Blesse Ordnance Brig. Gen. Bethel W. Simpson Quartermaster Col. Harvey Edward Signal Col. Otis K. Sadtler Headquarters Commandant Col. William N. Todd, Jr. Army Air Forces Commanding General, Army Air Forces General of the Army H.H. Arnold Chief, Advisory Council to the Commanding General, Army Air Forces Col. F.M. Dean Deputy Commanding General, Army Air Forces, and Chief of Air Staff Lt. Gen. Barney M. Giles Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Brig. Gen. Ray L. Owens Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Brig. Gen. R.C. Hood Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Brig. Gen. Patrick W. Timberlake Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Brig. Gen. Lauris Norstad Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Personnel Brig. Gen. J.H. McCormick, Acting Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Intelligence Maj. Gen. J.P. Hodges Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Operations, Commitments, and Requirements Birg. Gen. Donald Wilson Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Matériel Services Maj. Gen. Oliver P. Echols Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Plans Maj. Gen. L.S. Kuter Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Training Brig. Gen. W.W. Welsh Chief, Special Projects Col. F. Trubee Davison Air Inspector Maj. Gen. J.W. Jones Air Surgeon Maj. Gen. David N.W. Grant Air Judge Advocate Brig. Gen. L.H. Hedrick Budget and Fiscal Officer Brig. Gen. L.W. Miller Chief of Management Control Brig. Gen. Byron E. Gates Chief of Legislative Services Col. Warren S. Ege Air Communications Officer Brig. Gen. Harold M. McClelland Chief, Flying Safety (Winston-Salem, N.C.) Col. George C. Price Special Assistant for Antiaircraft Maj. Gen. Homer R. Oldfield Chief, Office of Information Services Col. Rex W.D. Smith Assistant to the Director of Bureau of Public Relations for Army Air Forces Col. William Westlake
Commanding Generals of Independent AAF Commands in United States: AAF Personnel Distribution Command (Atlantic City, N.J.) Maj. Gen. H.R. Harmon Training Command (Ft. Worth, Tex.) Lt. Gen. Barton K. Yount I Troop Carrier Command (Stout Field, Indianapolis, Ind.) Brig. Gen. W.D. Old Air Technical Service Command (Wright FIeld, Ohio) Lt. Gen. William S. Knudsen Air Transport Command (Gravelly Point, D.C.) Maj. Gen. Harold L. George AAF Tactical Center (Orlando, Fla.) Maj. Gen. Edwin J. House Proving Ground Command (Eglin Field, Fla.) Brig. Gen. Grandison Gardner First Air Force (Mitchel Field, N.Y.) Maj. Gen. Frank O'D. Hunter Second Air Force (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Maj. Gen. Robert B. Williams Third Air Force (Tampa, Fla.) Maj. Gen. W.T. Larson Fourth Air Force (San Francisco, Calif.) Maj. Gen. J.E. Parker Aeronautical Chart Service (Washington, D.C.) Col. Gerald Fitzgerald AAF Weather Wing (Asheville, N.C.) Col. W.O. Senter Army Airways Communications System, AAF (Asheville, N.C.) Col. Ivan L. Farman 311 Photographic Wing, Mapping and Charting (Bucklely Field, Denver, Colo.) Col. G.G. Northrup AAF Flight Service (Gravelly Point, D.C.) Lt. Col. Clifford P. Burton The Panama Canal1
411 Tenth Street NW., Washington, D.C.
REpublic 6700, Branches 77092, 77271
Officers on the Isthmus: Governor of the Panama Canal Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Mehaffey Engineer of Maintenance Brig. Gen. Francis K. Newcomer Officers in Washington: Chief of Office and general Purchasing Officer Bernard F. Burdick Assistant Chief of Office and Assistant General Purchasing Officer James C. Hughes Assistant to the Chief of Office Floyd B. Heimer Assistant Comptroller G.G. Allen Arlington Memorial Amphitheater Commission
Building A, Second and P Streets SW.
REpublic 6700, Branch 3181Creation and Authority.--The Department of War, usually designated as the War Department, was created by act of Congress approved August 7, 1789 (1 Stat. 49; 5 U.S.C. 181), succeeding a similar department which was established prior to the adoption of the Constitution. It was the second executive department to be provided by the Statutes of the first Congress under the Constitution.
Subsequent acts and Executive orders have greatly altered the scope and functions of the Department since its inception, as it originally encompassed many activities later delegated to the Navy and Interior Departments.Purpose.--The War Department is charged with the responsibility of organizing, training, and maintaining the Army and certain non-military activities at all times in accordance with conditions defined by Congress. The Army of the United States consists of the Regular Army, the National Guard of the United States, the National Guard while in the service of the United States, the Officers' Reserve Corps, the Organized Reserves, and the Enlisted Reserve Corps. These components constitute, in time of peace, a framework on which a great national force of well-trained and properly equipped men can be quickly built.
Organization.--The Secretary of War is head of the Department and performs such duties as are required of him by law or may be enjoined upon him by the President. He is specifically charged with the supervision of all estimates of appropriations for the expenses of the Department, including the Military Establishment; of the procurement of all military supplies and other business of the War Department pertaining thereto, and the assurance of adequate provision for the mobilization of matériel and industrial organizations essential to wartime needs; of all expenditures for the support, transportation, and maintenance of the Army; and of such expenditures of a civil nature as may be placed by Congress under his direction.
The Secretary is responsible for the proper execution of the provisions of the National Defense Act of 1920 (41 Stat. 759; U.S.C. titles 10 and 32), for the protection of seacoast harbors and cities, for the development of improved weapons and matériel, for proper instruction of all military personnel, and for the discipline and morale of the Military Establishment. He directs the activities of the Corps of Engineers in the improvement of waterways, and is charged wit the formation and execution of plans for flood control, power and irrigation development, and the survey and charting of the Great Lakes.
The Secretary is also responsible for surveys of international boundary waters, the interocean survey, and the construction of national monuments and memorials. He is charged with the establishment of harbor lines, approval of plans for the construction of bridges, issue of permits for wharves, piers, and other works upon navigable waters, and with certain investigations in cooperation with the Federal Power Commission. He is responsible for the defense, maintenance, care, and operation of the Panama Canal. He is president of the National Forest Reservation Commission.
The maintenance and conduct of the United States Military Academy and West Point is supervised by the Secretary, and his is responsible for all matters relating to leases, revocation of leases, and all other privileges upon land under the control of the War Department.
The Secretary of War is aided in the performance of the Department functions by the Under Secretary of War, to whom are delegated the responsibilities for policies and broad directives pertaining to procurement for the Army; the Assistant Secretary of War, to whom are delegated general administrative duties within the War Department; and the Assistant Secretary of War for Air to whom are delegated
special duties in connection with the Army Air Forces. He is also assisted by the Administrative Assistant, the Chief Clerk, and numerous other assistants and division chiefs.The Administrative Assistant aids the Secretary in directing the administration of the Department. he is chief executive officer of the Department and has charge of the records and files, and supervises the receipt, distribution, and transmission of the official mail and correspondence of the Secretary's office. He acts upon appointments and all changes affecting the status of civilian employees in the departmental service, and also has charge of printing and binding and newspaper advertising of the Department; of expenditures from the Department's appropriations for contingent expenses, stationery, and postage; and of allotment of office space assigned for the use of the Department in Washington.
Executive Order 9082, dated February 28, 1942, authorized a reorganization of the War Department and the Army. On March 9, 1942, the Secretary of War announced this reorganization, which was done in the belief that the then existing staff organization provided too cumbersome a plan for the tremendous increase of activities--both in the internal growth and in the numerous theaters of operations involved. The complete and sweeping reorganization provided for a streamlined War Department and geared it for the program of organization, training, arming, supplying, transporting, and providing strategical control to the vastly enlarged Army of the United States.
The purpose sought in the reorganization was unity and celerity of control, broad decentralization of detail, and a closer relationship between ground and air fighting. All Army activities within the continent of the United Sates are now grouped under three heads: Commanding General of the Army Air Forces, Commanding General of the Army Ground Forces, and Commanding General of the Army Service Forces. Thus are coordinated the two great fighting arms, air and ground, which are relieved of the distraction and effort required by supply, procurement, and the general housekeeping duties, except for the experimental development and procurement peculiar to the Air Forces, which remain with that arm. A combat air-ground General Staff assists the Chief of Staff of the Army. This Staff is composed of but a fraction of the number of the former members of the War Department General Staff, but of these about one-half are from the Air Staff. This small group of experienced air, ground, and supply officers assists the Chief of Staff in strategical planning and direction and in coordinating the acton of the three great commands, in order to provide theater commanders with the numerous directives and means for conducting the actual war operations.
In this manner there exits in the zone of the interior a separate air forces and a separated ground force for the development of equipment, for organization, and for training. The fighting units created by these separate commands will merge into cohesive fighting teams or task forces in combat under the commanders of the various theaters of operations, the defense commands, or greater task forces. A third great command provides the administrative and supply services necessary to maintain the two fighting arms.
The Bureau of Public Relations of the War Department is established under the supervision of the Secretary of War to provide the American people with full and accurate Army information through various media of expression: the press, radio, news reels and other motion pictures, and magazines. Activities
Bureau of Public Relations
The War Department General Staff, organized under the provisions of the act of June 4, 1920 (41 Stat. 759; U.S.C. titles 10 and 32), as amended, is a compact, closely coordinated group which, under the direction of the Chief of Staff, plans and coordinates the development of the Army and assists the Chief of Staff in the direction of the field operations of the Army of the United States. The General Staff is specifically charged with formulating the broad basic plans and policies that will enable the Commanding Generals, Army Ground Forces, Army Air Forces, Army Service Forces, defense commands, task forces, and theaters of operations to prepare and execute detailed programs. The War Department General Staff supervises these detailed programs. War Department General Staff
The Chief of Staff is head of the General Staff. He is the executive through whom the President of the United States, as Commander in Chief, exercises his functions in relation to strategy, tactics, and operations. The Chief of Staff is the immediate adviser to the Secretary of War and is charged by him with the planning, development, and execution of the Army program. He exercises general supervision over the Army of the United States and the Military Establishment necessary thereto. The Chief of Staff holds the temporary rank of General.
The Deputy Chief of Staff assists the Chief of Staff in the supervision of General Staff activities. He acts for the Chief of Staff in the latter's absence. He reports direct to the Secretary of War on all matters ot involving the establishment of important policies. he is charged with the establishment of policies and the supervision and approval of budgetary and legislative matters and determines questions of organization and administrative procedure for the War Department and the Army.
The Secretary of the General Staff heads the Secretariat, War Department General Staff, which is charged with the general administration of the Office of the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff.
The various divisions of the General Staff coordinate the development of the Army as a well-balanced, efficient fighting team. Each division is under the immediate control of an Assistant Chief of Staff. There are five such divisions. They are:
Personnel Division (G-1).--This Division is charged with those duties which relate to the personnel of the Army as individuals. It is specifically charged with the preparation of plans and policies
concerning the procurement, classification, assignment, promotion, pay, allocation of grades, transfer, retirement, and discharge, in peace or war, of all personnel of the Army and all personnel in the service of the Army of the United States. It is also concerned with such matters as uniform regulations, decorations, leaves and furloughs, prisoners of war, and conscientious objectors.Military Intelligence Division (G-2).--The duties of this Division relate in general to the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of military information. It assembles terrain intelligence including coordination of producing agencies, handles intelligence training and liaison with military representative of foreign governments, safeguards military information, is concerned with countersubversive measures within the Military Establishment and military censorship.
Organization and Training Division (G-3).--This Division is charged, in general, with those duties of the War Department General Staff which relate to the mobilization, training, and organization of the military forces. It formulates general and special policies governing mobilization and demobilization, is responsible for the preparation of troop bases, the allocation of personnel (in bulk) to the Army Air Forces, Army Ground Forces, and Army Service Forces, the formulating of basic policies having to do with training including joint Army-Navy training and the curriculum of the United States Military Academy and the Command and General Staff School, the establishing of basic policies governing the organization of units and the allotment of major items of equipment to nits and the distribution within units, and the allocation in bulk of replacements, training ammunition, and common major items of equipment to the Army Ground Forces, Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces.
Supply Division (G-4).--This Division prepares and maintains the broad, basic supply plans required by mobilization, training, and strategic activities. It assists the Operations Division in determining priorities of supplies between theaters of operations, defense commands and task forces, and the levels of supply to be maintained therein. It collaborates with the Organization and Training Division in the preparation of troop bases, and prepares the broad policies and directives having to do with the distribution, storage, and issue of supplies and equipment, transportation, types of military supplies, hospitalization and evacuation, construction, repair, maintenance of buildings and utilities, and property responsibility and accountability.
Operations Division.--The Operations Division is charged, in general, with those duties of the War Department General Staff which relate to the formulation of plans and strategic direction of the military forces in the theater of war. In time of peace, it is charged with the preparation and supervision of war and mobilization plans. In time of war, it constitutes the command post for the strategic direction of the armed forces in the various theaters of operations. It is specifically charged with the preparations of plans and policies and supervision of activities concerning the location and armament of coast and land fortifications and bases, the forces needed for national defense and their location, the testing of war plans by tactical exercises and maneuvers and the strategic employment of the Army o the United States. [See HyperWar for the official history of the Operations Division in World War II.]
The Chief of Staff has a Special Staff consisting of five divisions as follows: Special Staff
Civil Affairs Division.--The duties of this Division include informing and advising the Secretary of War with respect to all civil affairs matters in areas occupied as a result of military operations.
Legislative and Liaison Division.--This Division supervises the preparation of legislation requested by the War Department, maintains congressional liaison as well as that between the War Department and other Federal agencies.
The Inspector General.--The Inspector General assists the Chief of Staff in keeping the Secretary of War informed as to the state of the Army and makes such inspections, investigation, and reports as may be prescribed by law or directive by the Secretary of War and by the Chief of Staff, or requested by the Commanding Generals of the Army Ground Forces, the Army Air Forces, and the Army Service Forces.
War Department Manpower Board.--This Board surveys the employment by the War Department of military and civilian manpower within the continental United States, and recommends to the Chief of staff the means for its most effective utilization.
Budget Division.--This Division prepares plans, develops financial policies, both foreign and domestic, and, by authorization of the Secretary of War and under the direction of the Chief of Staff, exercises general supervision and control over those matters which relate to the budget of the War Department and the Army. It determines the language of proposed appropriation acts, the expenditure of appropriated funds, maintains budgetary and fiscal relationship with the Bureau of the Budget, the Congress, and other governmental agencies. The Director of the Budget Division is Budget Officer for the War Department and Chairman of the Budget Advisory Committee.
Special Planning Division.--The functions of this Division are to prepare complete demobilization plans covering the transition from a war to a peace status of the military and industrial activities of the War Department including the preparation of legislation, regulations, and other procedures required to implement these plans.
New Developments Division.--This Division is concerned with the development of new weapons, equipment, and techniques which the War Department considers may possess military value.
Army Service Forces
[See HyperWar for the official history of the Army Service Forces in World War II.] The Commanding General, Army Service Forces, is charged with the functions, responsibilities, and authorities of command authorized by law, Army regulations, and custom over individuals and units assigned to the Army Service Forces. The Commanding General of the Army Service Forces acts under the direction of the Under Secretary of War on procurement and related matters; reports to the Chief of Staff on military matters. The many responsibilities of the Army Service Forces are discharged by seven Technical Services, by nine Service Commands and the Military District of Washington, and by the Headquarters Staff. [See HyperWar for the official history of the Army Service Forces' Technical Services in World War II.]
Office of the Surgeon General.--The Surgeon General has administrative control of the Medical Department, which advises on all medical and sanitary affairs of the Army, and includes the Medical Corps, the Dental Corps, the Veterinary Corps, the Medical Administrative Corps, and the Army Nurse Corps. [See HyperWar for the official history of the Medical Department in World War II.]Office of the Chief of Engineers.--The Chief of Engineers is responsible for all Army construction. He is charged with the reproduction and distribution of military maps, the development, procurement, and storage of certain types of military equipment, and with the supervision of investigation and improvements for navigation, flood control, and power development on rivers and harbors. [See HyperWar for the official history of the Corps of Engineers in World War II.]
Office of the Chief Signal Officer.--The Chief Signal Officer is charged with the development, procurement, storage, and repair of signal equipment and supplies. He coordinates radio operations of the Army, maintains all communications, and maintains the training film program under the Army's training directives. [See HyperWar for the official history of the Signal Corps in World War II.]
Office of the Quartermaster General.--The Quartermaster General is charged with providing food and clothing for the Army. He is responsible for the procurement, storage, and issue of supplies common to two or more branches. [See HyperWar for the official history of the Quartermaster Corps in World War II.]
Office of the Chief of Ordnance.--The Chief of Ordnance is responsible for the design, procurement, storage, supply, and maintenance of munitions and combat and transport vehicles for the Army. He prepares the necessary information pertaining to the manufacture of weapons. [See HyperWar for the official history of the Ordnance Department in World War II.]
Office of the Chief of Chemical Warfare Service.--The investigation, development, manufacture, procurement, and supply to the Army of all smoke and incendiary materials, toxic gases, and gas-defense appliances, together with the training of the Army in offensive and defensive chemical warfare, are the responsibility of the Chief of Chemical Warfare Service. [See HyperWar for the official history of the Chemical Warfare Service in World War II.]
Office of the Chief of Transportation.--The Chief of the Army Transportation Corps is charged with the responsibility for all War Department surface traffic, inland and overseas. He is charged with all shipping overseas, and with all inland movements and supplies moving by commercial means. [See HyperWar for the official history of the Transportation Corps in World War II.]
Office of the Fiscal Director.-=-The Fiscal Director initiates, prescribes, and supervises all War Department principles, practices, and procedures relating to accounting and auditing, and the receipt and disbursement of appropriated funds; initiates and controls fiscal administration of funds of all components of the Army Service Forces.
Office of the Judge Advocate General.--The Judge Advocate General advises concerning legal corrections of military administration, including disciplinary action, the rights of the personnel of the Army, and the legal aspects of financial, contractual, and other business affairs of the War Department.
Office of the Adjutant General.--The Adjutant General carries out for the War Department and the Army, administrative functions concerning personnel, records, correspondence, publications, decorations, and awards. He operates the Army Postal Service and is charged with Army recruiting.
Office of the Provost Marshal General.--The Provost Marshal General is responsible for the establishment and training of the Corps
of Military Police. He supervises the detention, care, feeding, and housing of prisoners of war. He directs the internal security program of the War Department.Office of the Chief of Chaplains.--The Chief of Chaplains directs matters pertaining to moral and religious welfare of military personnel. He also supervises the Chaplain School.
National Guard Bureau.--A National Militia Board was created by act of May 27, 1908. It was later changed to the Militia Bureau by act of June 3, 1916 (30 Stat. 203; 32 U.S.C. 66, 70, 147, 171-76). The Militia Bureau became the National Guard Bureau by act of June 15, 1933 (48 Stat. 159; 32 U.S.C. 171).
Congressional legislation of October 21, 1940 (54 Stat. 1206; 32 U.S.C. 194), created State Guards to replace in the States the National Guard units then in the process of being inducted into Federal service. The State Guards are used within the boundaries of their own States but their functions have been fitted into a broad pattern for the home defense of the Nation under the directives and policies set forth by the War Department.
The National Guard Bureau still functions as the War Department administrative agency for the Sate Guards and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau is charged with promulgating the instructions and suggestions for training State Guards in accordance with War Department policies. The War Department authorizes the commanding generals of the service commands to assist the Sate Guards and to make various training aids available.
General Service Schools.--The Army General Service Schools are the Command and General Staff School, Forth Leavenworth, Kans.; the Army War College, and the Army Industrial College, Washington, D.C. The mission of the Command and General Staff School is to train officers for command and general staff duty. The Army War College, which has suspended classes during the war, has trained officers for wartime command and staff positions in field armies and in the General Headquarters of the entire Army. The Army Industrial College trains officers in the procurement of munitions and in the preparation of plans for mobilization of matériel and industrial organizations essential to wartime needs.
United States Military Academy.--The United States Military Academy is located at West Point, N.Y. The 4-year academic course is now completed in 3 years, followed by a 6-month period in an officers' training camp. The cadets receive, besides a general education, theoretical and practical training as junior officers. cadets who complete the course satisfactorily are graduated with the rank of second lieutenant.
Territorial Divisions of the Army.--The continental United States is divided into four Army areas, or defense commands, which border upon the four strategic frontiers. A fifth, the Caribbean Defense Command, includes the Panama Canal and Puerto Rican departments. A sixth comprises Alaska. It is also divided into nine service commands, based on approximately equal military populations and included in the four continental Army areas. The Panama Canal Zone, the Hawaiian Islands, the Philippine Islands, Puerto Rico, and Alaska constitute what are known as the five departments. Command of units within the service commands and departments is, generally
speaking, decentralized to service commands and department commanders, except for certain exempted stations which operate under War Department control.
Army Service Commands First Service Command
Headquarters at Boston, Mass.Second Service Command
Headquarters at Governors Island, N.Y.Third Service Command
Headquarters at Baltimore, Md.Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
VermontDelaware
New Jersey
New YorkDistrict of Columbia
Maryland
Pennsylvania
VirginiaFourth Service Command
Headquarters at Atlanta, Ga.Fifth Service Command
Headquarters at Fort Hayes, Columbus, OhioSixth Service Command
Headquarters at Chicago, Ill.Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
TennesseeIndiana
Kentucky
Ohio
West VirginiaIllinois
Michigan
WisconsinSeventh Service Command
Headquarters at Omaha, Nebr.Eighth Service Command
Headquarters at Dallas, Tex.Ninth Service Command
Headquarters at Fort Douglas, UtahColorado
Iowa
Kansas
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
South Dakota
WyomingArkansas
Louisiana
New Mexico
Oklahoma
TexasArizona
California
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
Oregon
Utah
WashingtonNorthwest Service Command Headquarters at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada The territorial limits include the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, Yukon Territory and the District of Mackenzie, Northwest Territory, Canada; plus that area in Alaska bounded by the White Pass and Yukon Railway, Skagway, the west and north shore line of Lynn Canal from Skagway to Chilkoot Barracks, Chilkoot Barracks, and the Hanes Military Road, all inclusive.
Departments:
Hawaiian Department--Headquarters, Fort Shafter, T.H.
Philippine Department.
Panama Canal Department--Headquarters, Quarry Heights, C.Z.
Antilles Department--Headquarters, San Juan, P.R.
Alaskan Department--Headquarters, Anchorage, AlaskaThe Army Ground Forces
[See HyperWar for the official history of the Army Ground Forces in World War II.]Under policies prescribed by the Chief of Staff, the Commanding General, Army Ground Forces, is charged in general with the functions,
responsibilities, and authorities of command authorized by law, Army regulations, and custom over individuals and units assigned to the Army Ground Forces. The mission of the Army Ground Forces is to provide ground force units properly organized, trained, and equipped for combat operations.The following duties are specifically assigned to the Army Ground Forces:
The operation of Infantry, Field Artillery, Antiaircraft Artillery, Cavalry, Tank Destroyer, and Armored replacement training centers, and Infantry, Field Artillery, Antiaircraft, Coast Artillery, Cavalry, Tank Destroyer, Parachute, and Armored Schools, including officer candidate schools, for the Army Ground Forces.
The organization of tactical units as directed by the War Department.
The training of all tactical units assigned to the Army Ground Forces.
The organization, equipment, and training of such task forces as are directed by the Chief of Staff.
The development of tactical and training doctrine, tables of organization, tables of basic allowances, military characteristics of weapons and equipment, and operational changes needed in equipment fo the Infantry, Field Artillery, Antiaircraft Artillery, Coast Artillery, Cavalry, and specialized combat units.
The furtherance of the orderly continuity and progressive development of the several arms.
The review with the Commanding General, Army Service Forces, of the tactical doctrine, military characteristics of weapons and equipment, tables of organization, and tables of basic allowances of Army Service Forces units assigned to the Army Ground Forces.
The discharge of personnel functions formerly performed in the offices of the Chiefs of Infantry, Field Artillery, Coast Artillery, and Cavalry, less those now engaged in the procurement of officer candidates.
The assignment of officers of the Army Ground Forces, including Army Air Forces and Army Service Forces personnel on duty therewith.
The supply of Infantry, Field Artillery, Coast Artillery, Cavalry, Antiaircraft Artillery, Tank Destroyer, Air-borne, and Armored personnel to the Army Air Forces, Army Service Forces, defense commands, theaters of operation, and oversea forces in accordance with policies announced by the Chief of Staff.
The submission to the Commanding General, Army Service Forces, of such recommendations on construction, shelter, training aids, movements, supply, equipment, real estate, and such other matters as may be necessary.
The submission to the Budget Officer for the War Department of estimates of funds and other budgetary estimates as required.
The control of funds allocated for the Army Ground Forces.
The development jointly with the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, of ground-air support, tactical training, and doctrine in conformity with policies prescribed by the Chief of Staff.
The minimization of the administrative activities of the Army Ground Forces by utilizing the services available in the Army Service
Forces to the maximum degree consistent with proper control of the Army Ground Forces.The use of judicious short cuts in procedure to expedite operations. ?
The Army Air Forces
[See HyperWar for the official histories of the Army Air Forces in World War II.]The Commanding General of the Army Air Forces is charged with the functions, responsibilities, and authorities of command authorized by law, Army regulations, and custom over individuals and units assigned to the Army Air Forces. He procures and maintains equipment for the Army Air Forces, and provides air force units properly organized, trained, and equipped for combat operations.
He operates replacement training centers, including officer candidate schools, for the training of personnel in pilot functions and specialist nonpilot functions of combat and ground crews and in all duties involving the care, supply, and maintenance of aeronautical material.
The Commanding General of the Army Air Forces is charged with the organization and training of air force tactical units and task forces. He develops tactics and training methods and tables of organization. He reviews military characteristics of aircraft weapons and equipment, and operational changes needed in equipment, aircraft, and weapons.
The supply of air force personnel and equipment to the Army Air Forces, the Army Ground Forces, and the Army Service Forces, defense commands, theaters of operations, and task forces is the responsibility of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces. He submits to the Commanding General, Army Service Forces, recommendations on construction, training aids, supply, equipment not peculiar to the Air Forces alone, and similar matters.
The Commanding General of the Army Air Forces commands and controls the Army Air Forces stations and bases not assigned to the defense commands or theater commanders.
Five boards have been created by joint agreement of the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy. By military order of the President, effective July 1, 1939, these boards exercise their functions under the direction and supervision of the President as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States. Joint Army-Navy Boards
The Joint Board.--This Board was organized July 17, 1903, and its functions were later amended by joint agreement dated July 24, 1919. Any matter which, in the estimation of either the War of the Navy Department, seems to call for consideration as to cooperation between the two services may be referred by that Department to the Joint Board. The Board may also originate consideration of subjects which in its judgment are necessary. .Proceedings and reports of the Board are confidential. Each Department receives a copy of the record of the Board.
The Aeronautical Board.--This Board was created in 1916, with limited jurisdiction. Its advisory scope has been broadened from time to time; the last such amendatory agreement was dated May 21,
1936. The purpose of the Board is to prevent duplication of effort and to secure a more complete measure of cooperation and coordination in the matters jointly affecting the Army Air Forces and Navy aviation.The Joint Economy Board.--The Joint Economy Board was organized on September 20, 1933. It investigates and reports on economies which can be effected without loss of efficiency by the elimination of overlap or the simplification of functioning in those activities of the War and Navy Departments concerned with joint operations of the two services or which have approximately parallel functions.
Joint Army and Navy Munitions Board.--This Board was organized in 1922 for the purpose of harmonizing the plans of the Army and the Navy in the procurement of munitions and supplies for war purposes.
Joint Army and Navy Committee on Welfare and Recreation.--The Committee was created on February 12, 1941, as an advisory and liaison committee on problems in welfare and recreation of servicemen. It provides expert advice to the responsible officers in the Army and Navy and acts as liaison between the Army and Navy and Government and private agencies dealing with related problems.
The Panama Canal was created under authority of the Panama Canal Act of August 24, 1912 (37 Stat. 560, 569; 48 U.S.C. 1301, 1302, 1306, 1330). Supervision of the Panama Canal organization is placed by Executive Order 1885, dated January 27, 1914, in the Secretary of War. The Panama Canal
The Governor of the Panama Canal, under the supervision of the Secretary of War, is charged with the completion, maintenance, and operation of the Panama Canal, and with the administration, sanitation, and government of the Canal Zone.
The Panama Canal maintains departments of operation and maintenance, civil government, sanitation, supply and accounting on the Isthmus, and a subordinate office in Washington for handling administration, purchasing, and accounting matters in the United States.
The ARlington Memorial Amphitheater Commission was created by act of Congress approved March 4, 1921 (41 Stat. 1440; 24 U.S.C. 291-95). Arlington Memorial Amphitheater Commission
Through the President of the United States, the Commission reports annually to Congress as to what inscriptions, tablets, busts, or other memorials (if any) shall be erected, and the bodies of what deceased members of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps (if any) shall be entombed during the next ensuing year within the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. No such memorial construction or entombment may be made without special authorization by an act of Congress. In making its recommendations to Congress regarding memorials, the Commission is required by law to consult with the Commission of Fine Arts on the artistic aspects of the project under construction.
The act provides that the Commission consist of the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy, with the former designated as chairman. It also states that the Depot Quartermaster (now under Amy Service Forces) of the Army in Washington shall be its executive and disbursing officer.Approved.
Henry l. Stimson
Secretary of War
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Footnotes
1. By Executive Order 8232, dated September 5, 1939, the administration of The Panama Canal was placed for a temporary period under the direction of the Military Commander of The Panama Canal Department.