What Was the Secretary of War?
The Secretary of War was a cabinet-level official in the United States government responsible for overseeing the Army and national defense matters before 1947.
Who Held the Position?
Henry Knox was the first Secretary of War in 1789. Other notable officeholders included Edwin Stanton during the Civil War and Henry Stimson in World War II. The list includes many leaders who shaped U.S. military policy.
Why the Title Changed
In 1947, the National Security Act renamed the role to Secretary of Defense and created the Department of Defense, consolidating Army, Navy, and Air Force responsibilities.
For a full list of officeholders, see the Wikipedia entry on the Secretary of War.
