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chairman of the National Security Resources Board. Theoretically, it su-
pervised all aspects of BW policy, intelligence, and preparedness.
The DOD had the main responsibility for the defense of the US. Under
its aegis were several advisory groups: the Research and Development
Board and its think tank, the Committee on Biological Warfare. Accord-
ing to historian Dorothy L. Miller, “The board...integrated all military
research and development ...Itkept the Joint Chiefs of Staff informed
on the capabilities of BW so that they could determine the position BW
should occupy in the national defense effort.”
46
In its reports, “it consis-
tently advocated a strong research and development program in BW,”
thereby seeking to influence the development of policy.
47
In 1953 and 1954 the Office of the Secretary of Defense was reorga-
nized. An assistant secretary of defense (R&D) now became the chief ad-
visor to the secretary of defense on CBW R&D.
48
Previously, on 7 Septem-
ber 1949, it had been decided that day-to-day responsibility for CBW
planning belonged to the Chemical Corps.
49
From the start of the postwar
period, the CmlC drew up the budget. The Office of the Chief Chemical
Officer was a command and staff organization. The CmlC had several di-
visions that dealt with CBW, among them the Research and Engineer-
ing Division, and the Special Operations Division (SOD) at Camp Detrick
(renamed Fort Detrick in 1956). The SOD, activated on 17 March 1949,
was “to perform research and development in the field of covert or sabo-
tage operations.”
50
It carried out tests with BW simulants throughout the
country.
Project proposals originated in the CmlC Technical Committee, defined
as “a committee established and maintained by the chief of a developing
agency to effect coordination among the developing and using agencies
during research, test, type classification and procurement activities.”
51
Outside the Army, several other organizations and commands played
roles in the program: the Office of the Surgeon General, the Navy, the Air
Force, the Public Health Service, the Department of Agriculture, the De-
partment of the Interior, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Cen-
tral Intelligence Agency.
The Office of the Surgeon General, whose Biological Branch was acti-
vated in 1950, was largely responsible for biological warfare defense.
52
The Navy had played a role in BW preparedness during World War II. Its
laboratories in California had worked on
Yersinia pestis.
It provided funds
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