HISTORICAL OFFICE

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

<empty>
Sidebar Navigation Begins Sidebar Navigation Ends

Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the meaning of the DoD seal?

    DoD Seal

    On 15 August 1949 Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson redesignated the seal of the National Military Establishment as the seal for the Department of Defense. The letter Secretary Johnson signed provided a heraldic description of the seal:

    “An American eagle is displayed facing to the right. Wings are horizontal. The eagle grasps three crossed arrows and bears on its breast a shield whose lower two-thirds carries alternating white and red stripes and whose upper third is blue. Above the eagle is an arc of thirteen stars with alternating rays. Below the eagle is a wreath of laurel extending to the eagle's right and wreath of olive extending to the eagle's left. On an encircling band is the inscription Department of Defense and United States of America.”

    “When the seal is displayed in color, the background is to be of medium blue with the eagle and wreath in natural colors and the arrows, stars, and rays of gold. The encircling band is to be dark blue with gold edges and letters in white.”

    “The American bald eagle, long associated with symbolism representing the United States of America and its military establishment, has been selected as an emblem of strength. In facing to the right, the field of honor is indicated. The eagle is defending the United States, represented by the Shield of thirteen pieces. The thirteen pieces are joined together by the blue chief, representing the Congress. The rays and stars above the eagle signify glory, while the three arrows are collectively symbolic of the three component parts of the Department of Defense. The laurel stands for honors received in combat defending the peace represented by the olive branch.”

    Where can I purchase bound copies of OSD Historical Office publications?

  • Most of the publications listed on our Publications page are available for purchase on the Web at the U.S. Government Bookstore, http://bookstore.gpo.gov/index.jsp

    • Where can I find information on military casualties?

  • The Statistical Information Analysis Division (SIAD) of the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) maintains general casualty statistics on military personnel from the revolutionary war to the present. For historical and contemporary casualty statistics, see http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm
  • The Army Center of Military History lists casualties by state for World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. See http://www.history.army.mil/html/documents/casualties/stcas.html

    • Where can I find historical statistics on the Defense Department regarding military personnel levels or procurement activities?

  • The Statistical Information Analysis Division of the Defense Manpower Data Center maintains historical and contemporary information on personnel levels at http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/MILITARY/miltop.htm
  • SIAD-DMDC maintains contemporary and historical reports and data on DoD procurement activities at http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/procurement/Procurement.html

    • Where can I find historical information on the military services and military campaigns?

    Please contact the historical office of each military service:

  • U.S. Army Center of Military History
  • Naval History and Heritage Command
  • U.S. Marine Corps History Division
  • Air Force Historical Studies Office

    • Where can I find information on the Defense Department budget?

  • Please visit the Web site of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) at http://www.defenselink.mil/comptroller/index.html

    • How do I obtain a copy of the military records of a deceased veteran?

  • Please contact the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The National Personnel Records Center-Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR) is the repository for personnel, health, and medical records of discharged and deceased veterans from World War I to the present. NPRC provides an individual's complete service record free of charge to retired service members and, if deceased, their next of kin. Others members of the public may obtain for a small fee limited information on retired service members, such as awards, training, and dates of service.

    • The contact information for NPRC-MPR follows:

  • National Personnel Records Center
  • Military Personnel Records
  • 9700 Page Avenue
  • St. Louis, MO 63132
  • Phone: 1–86–NARA–NARA (1–866–272–6272) or 1–314–801–0800
  • Fax: 1–314–801–9195