World War II: a watershed -- Organizing for national security: OSD and acquisition, 1945-1949 -- The response to war: OSD and acquisition, 1950-1953 -- Mission and materiel: The Army and acquisition, 1945-1953 -- Emergence of the weapon system concept: the Air Force and acquisition, 1945-1953 -- The Air Force and the aircraft manufacturing industry -- Decentralization and fragmentation: The Navy and acquisition, 1945-1953 -- Centralization begins: OSD and acquisition, 1953-1960 -- Ascendancy of the weapon system concept: The Air Force and acquisition, 1953-1960 -- Toward centralization and the systems approach: The Navy and acquisition, 1953-1960 -- Creating a missile and rocket force: The Army and acquisition, 1953-1960 -- Conclusion.