An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | Sept. 1, 2021

DLA launches 60th anniversary celebration

By DLA Public Affairs

The Defense Logistics Agency is launching its diamond anniversary celebration Sept. 1 to mark the agency’s 60th year of logistics support.

The agency was created Oct. 1, 1961, to provide effective and efficient logistics support for the services at the lowest cost to taxpayers. 

“DLA has kept that promise for six decades while keeping pace with every global challenge,” DLA Chief of Staff Eric Smith said in a message to the workforce announcing the launch. 

“In every era, DLA has been fueled by a world-class workforce – a team proud to serve our warfighters and our nation with unparalleled dedication and professionalism,” he continued. 

The celebration’s theme is Forged in History, Focused on the Future, a slogan created by Kay Teagle, an automotive mechanic at DLA Installation Management Richmond, Virginia. 

Employees can learn more about how the agency’s organizational structure and mission have evolved at a special 60th anniversary webpage available now through 2022. The page features news stories, personality profiles, photos, videos, quizzes and infographics, and will be continually updated with new content. 

A playlist of numerous videos highlighting DLA’s history is also available at the Defense Visual Information Service website. Videos will showcase long-time DLA employees and an interview with William McNamara, son of DLA’s first director, Army Lt. Gen. Andrew T. McNamara.

Additional content will be posted to DLA’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages with the official hashtag #DLA60thAnniversary.

DLA Historian Colin Williams has also written a 70-page book that chronicles the agency’s support to the military services and how it’s leveraged time-proven capabilities to support other federal agencies during crises such as hurricanes and floods.

Employees are also encouraged to submit photos and videos of themselves celebrating DLA’s anniversary for possible use on DLA’s Facebook page at interact@dla.mil.