Armed Forces Day is May 19

  • Published
  • By 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
  • Department of Defense
Washington, D.C. - President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

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.

“Whereas it is fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying tribute to the Armed Forces as the servants and protectors of our Nation:”  President Harry S. Truman Feb. 28, 1950