United States Department of War
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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 18 September 1947, when it became part of the National Military Establishment, renamed on 10 August 1949 as the Department of Defense. The War Department was headed by the United States Secretary of War, who was also a member of the President's Cabinet. The War Department was also referred to as the War Office.
Upon becoming a part of the National Military Establishment, the War Department was renamed the Department of the Army and became one of the three military departments of the Federal government. At the same time, the Army Air Forces were separated from the Army and became the U.S. Air Force under the newly-formed Department of the Air Force.