Executive Order 9913

Executive Order 9913 was issued by President Harry S. Truman on December 19, 1947, to formally establish the United States Air Force as a fully independent military service branch. This order implemented the landmark National Security Act of 1947, which had been signed into law earlier that year, fundamentally restructuring the United States Department of War and creating a new United States Department of the Air Force. The directive marked the culmination of a long campaign for autonomy by airpower advocates and represented a pivotal moment in the Cold War reorganization of American national defense.

Background and Context

The push for an independent air force gained significant momentum during World War II, where the strategic importance of air power was demonstrated in campaigns like the Combined Bomber Offensive and the Pacific War. Proponents, including General Henry H. Arnold and later General Carl Spaatz, argued that air operations required separate command and planning. Prior to the order, American air forces were components of the United States Army, organized as the United States Army Air Forces under leaders like General Ira C. Eaker. The passage of the National Security Act of 1947 by the 80th United States Congress created the legal framework, establishing the United States Department of Defense and authorizing the new service. President Truman's action through this order executed the legislative intent during a period of rising tensions with the Soviet Union, as outlined in doctrines like the Truman Doctrine.

Provisions of the Order

The order specifically transferred all personnel, property, and records from the United States Army Air Forces to the newly created United States Department of the Air Force. It designated the Secretary of the Air Force as the head of this executive department, responsible to the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States. Furthermore, it established the United States Air Force as a separate military service within the United States Armed Forces, co-equal with the United States Army and the United States Navy. The order also provided for the transfer of functions related to aviation, excluding those specifically assigned to the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps by law, ensuring a clear division of roles.

Implementation and Impact

The implementation was swift, with the official activation of the United States Air Force occurring on September 18, 1947, and the order providing the final administrative mechanism. General Carl Spaatz became the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, while W. Stuart Symington was appointed as the first Secretary of the Air Force. This reorganization allowed for the focused development of strategic air doctrine and technology, directly influencing the creation of the Strategic Air Command under General Curtis LeMay. The independence facilitated advancements in jet aircraft, such as those produced by Lockheed Corporation, and was crucial for nuclear deterrence strategies during the Cold War, including operations involving the B-52 Stratofortress.

Legal and Historical Significance

Legally, the order is a prime example of presidential execution of congressional statute, reinforcing the framework established by the National Security Act of 1947. It solidified the United States Air Force's place in the United States National Security Council structure and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Historically, it recognized air power as a dominant element of modern warfare, a concept argued by theorists like Billy Mitchell. The move influenced other nations, such as the United Kingdom with its Royal Air Force, and set the stage for the United States Air Force Academy's establishment. It remains a foundational document for the United States Department of Defense's current organization.

Related and Subsequent Actions

The order was directly followed by a series of organizational directives, including Executive Order 9950 which adjusted compensation rates. Subsequent legislation, notably the National Security Act Amendments of 1949, further refined the defense structure. Later executive orders, such as those by President Dwight D. Eisenhower reorganizing the Department of Defense, built upon this foundation. The creation of the United States Space Force in 2019 under the United States Department of the Air Force mirrors the historical precedent set for establishing a new service branch focused on a specific domain of warfare.

Category:1947 in American law Category:1947 in the United States Category:Harry S. Truman executive orders Category:United States Air Force