"Department of Defense, I think we're going to change the name to Department of War. You don't just have Defence, you have Offence. I'm talking to some big people and I think we're going to have a change in the next week"
AUGUST 7, 1789
Congress establishes the War Department at the cabinet level to oversee the operation and maintenance of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
"Department of Defense, I think we're going to change the name to Department of War. You don't just have Defence, you have Offence. I'm talking to some big people and I think we're going to have a change in the next week"
Didn't it used to be called the War Department?
AUGUST 7, 1789 Congress establishes the War Department at the cabinet level to oversee the operation and maintenance of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/The-History-of-the-Department-of-Defense/