United States Secretary of War Facts for Kids

"Secretary of War" redirects here. For other uses, see Secretary of War (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids United States Secretary of War
Flag of the secretary
Official seal
Longest serving Henry Dearborn March 5, 1801 – March 4, 1809
United States Department of War
Style	Mr. Secretary
Member of	Cabinet
Reports to	President of the United States
Seat	Washington, D.C.
Appointer	The President with Senate advice and consent
Term length	No fixed term
Precursor	Secretary at War
Formation	September 12, 1789
First holder	Henry Knox
Final holder	Kenneth C. Royall
Abolished	September 18, 1947
Succession	6th in the line of succession

The Secretary of War was an important job in the United States government. This person was part of the President's Cabinet. The Cabinet is a group of top advisors to the President.

The role started with George Washington, the first U.S. President. Before that, a similar job existed under the Articles of Confederation. It was called "Secretary at War." Henry Knox held this earlier position and continued as the first Secretary of War under the new U.S. Constitution.

What Did the Secretary of War Do?
- Changes Over Time
End of the Secretary of War Role
Key People in the Role
- Secretary at War (1781–1789)
- Secretary of War (1789–1947)
Images for kids
See also

What Did the Secretary of War Do?

The Secretary of War was the leader of the War Department. This department was in charge of all military matters. At first, this included both the army and the navy.

Changes Over Time

In 1798, a new position was created: the Secretary of the Navy. After this, the Secretary of War focused only on the United States Army.

From 1886 onwards, the Secretary of War was also in the line of succession to the presidency. This meant if the President and Vice President could not serve, the Secretary of War might become President. They were after the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Secretary of State.

End of the Secretary of War Role

The role of Secretary of War ended in 1947. This happened when the National Security Act of 1947 was passed. This law changed how the U.S. military was organized.

The Secretary of War was replaced by two new positions:

The Secretary of the Army
The Secretary of the Air Force

These new secretaries, along with the Secretary of the Navy, now work under the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense is a Cabinet member. The Secretary of the Army is usually seen as the direct continuation of the Secretary of War's job.

Key People in the Role

Secretary at War (1781–1789)

Before the U.S. Constitution, the "Secretary at War" job was similar to a British role. This person replaced earlier military leaders. The Army itself was quite small back then, with only about 700 soldiers under Secretary Henry Knox.

Benjamin Lincoln was the first Secretary at War.
Henry Knox was the second and last Secretary at War.

Secretary of War (1789–1947)

Swearing in of Dwight F. Davis as Secretary of War in 1925. Former Secretaries John W. Weeks and Chief Justice William Howard Taft are standing beside him.

Henry Knox became the first U.S. Secretary of War on September 12, 1789. He served under President George Washington.
Henry Dearborn served the longest in this role, from 1801 to 1809. He worked with President Thomas Jefferson.
Kenneth C. Royall was the last person to hold the title of Secretary of War. His term ended on September 18, 1947, when the role was abolished.