National Defense Act of 1947
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The National Defense Act of 1947 is a United States federal law. Sections 207-209 of the Act created the United States Air Force (USAF) within the National Military Establishment (later the Department of Defense), established the Department of the Air Force, and created the office of Secretary of the Air Force, to be "appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate."
President Harry S. Truman signed the act on July 26, 1947 aboard the "Sacred Cow," the Douglas VC-54C that served as Air Force One. The Air Force began operating as a separate service seven weeks later, on September 18, 1947.
