Charged with the awesome responsibility of supporting the world's largest and most technologically advanced fighting force, the Department of Defense was created in 1949, and now overseas all branches of the Armed Forces - America's proud military family.
The Department of Defense supports 1.4 million active-duty soldiers, 1.2 million Guard and Reserve personnel, 2 million military retirees and their families, and 654, 000 civilian employees. Headquartered at the Pentagon, it operates from more than 6,000 locations worldwide.
Under the leadership of the President and Commander-in-Chief, it exercises day-to-day control over the U.S. Armed Forces and oversees all American military operations from conception to completion.
This unique coin is dedicated to the military and civilian members of the Department of Defense, who enable that organization to meet its mission to protect and defend Americans at home and abroad.
