Editorial Note
Public Law 216, 81st Congress (63 Stat. 578), the National Security Act Amendments of 1949, was signed by President Truman on August 10. This measure, largely the result of recommendations by the Hoover Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch, and its task force on the National Military Establishment headed by Mr. Ferdinand Eberstadt, included the following provisions. The National Military Establishment created by the National Security Act of 1947 was converted into the Department of Defense which incorporated the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, each administered separately by a Secretary operating under the direction, authority [Page 380] and control of the Secretary of Defense. The law also provided for a Deputy Secretary of Defense, three Assistant Secretaries, a Comptroller, and a non-voting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Composition of the National Security Council was modified by elimination of the three service Secretaries from membership and adding the Vice President. For the statement delivered by President Truman on the occasion of signing this measure, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Harry S. Truman, 1949 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1964), page 417.
The organization of the United States Government for national security affairs was further modified by Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1949, which came into effect on August 20. This plan (63 Stat. 1067), provided for the transfer of the National Security Council and the National Security Resources Board to the Executive Office of the President. For President Truman’s message transmitting the plan to Congress, June 20, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Harry S. Truman, 1949, page 316.