The United States Deputy Secretary of Defense is the second-highest ranking official in the United States Department of Defense. According to the U.S. Defense department website, the Deputy Secretary has the authority to

"[A]ct for the Secretary of Defense and exercise the powers of the Secretary on any and all matters for which the Secretary is authorized to act pursuant to law."

The current Deputy Secretary of Defense as of March 2005 is Paul Wolfowitz. Recently, Mr. Wolfowitz has been nominated to lead the World Bank. Gordon R. England has been named as his successor.