On this day, 78 years ago, July 26, 1947 (June 9, 1947 in the lunar calendar), the U.S. military power was finally unified. Forrest, the first Secretary of Defense, on July 26, 1947, President Truman signed a decree uniting all branches of the Army, Navy and Air Force into one institution-the Department of Defense. Secretary of the Navy James Forrest was appointed Secretary of Defense by Congress. Soon after, the president flew to Suri to visit his terminally ill mother, Mrs. Martha Truman. Congress favored the establishment of the Department of Defense. Its purpose is to coordinate the country's armed forces, improve effectiveness, and integrate domestic and foreign military policies. The Legislature also established another body-the National Security Council. It will evaluate some issues of U.S. military power. Within its jurisdiction, a Central Intelligence Agency will be established to direct intelligence collection.