United States Secretary of Defense to die was Frank Carlucci (1987–1989), on 3 June 2018. United States Secretary of Defense The Secretary of Defense (SecDef) is the leader and chief executive officer of the United States Department of Defense, the executive department of the Armed Forces of the United States. The Secretary of Defense's position of command and authority over the United States' military is second only to that of the President and Congress, respectively. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in many other countries. The Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President with the advice and consent
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs the ASD(HA) is an Executive Service Level IV official. He or she is nominated by the President of the United States, and confirmed by the United States Senate. This position was originally established in 1949 as the "Chairman, Armed Forces Medical Policy Council." Reorganization Plan No. 6 (1953) abolished the council and transferred its functions to a new position, the "Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)". In August 1953, some functions of this position were transferred to the "Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower)", and the title was changed to "Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health and Medical)". The position was abolished