Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, there is hereby established within the Office of the Secretary of Defense under the Executive Secretary the position of Historian.

The Historian will be responsible for:

a. Insuring the collection and compilation of documents and data required to prepare and maintain histories, including with the collaboration of the Records Administrator the furnishing of assistance to the custodians of official papers within the Office of the Secretary of Defense covering.

     1. the selection of papers having permanent historical value, and
     2. the preservation of such papers.

b.  The preparation of a thorough objective history on a current basis of the Office of the Secretary of Defense; this includes assuring that histories are prepared for the associated boards and staffs of the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

c.  The preparation of the semi-annual report of the Secretary of Defense.

d.  Coordinating historical activities within the Department of Defense as may be necessary to insure the active and effective conduct of the current historical programs.

This directive supersedes the directive of 8 March 1949 on the same subject.

Louis Johnson
Secretary of Defense
December 9, 1949