Armed Forces Day Pays Tribute

May 18, 2019

From GovInfo

[su_quote]“This will remain the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave.”

– Elmer Davis, the Director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II; Source: Patrick Air Force Base[/su_quote]

Know a man or woman who serves in the United States military? Be sure to thank them this May 18, Armed Forces Day 2019. This observance pays tribute to the men and women who serve in the United States military, and this year’s theme is “For the Nation. For the People.”  The following are documents related to Armed Forces Day and the Department of Defense.


“On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.” (Source: Defense.gov )

Read remarks from Senator Lodge on Secretary Johnson’s announcement as printed in the Congressional Record.

95 Cong. Rec. (Bound) – Senate: April 7, 1949


The first Armed Forces day was observed May 20, 1950, by Presidential proclamation.
“Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America’s defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first formal procession of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense.”

President Truman, Presidential Proclamation, March 2, 1950

Federal Register Vol. 15, No. 41, March 2, 1950, Proclamation 2873 – Armed Forces Day


National defense legislation is codified in Title 50 of the U.S. Code.

50 U.S.C. – War and National Defense


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