Leon E. Panetta takes the oath of office as the 23rd Secretary of Defense during a Pentagon ceremony. Leon E. Panetta takes the oath of office as the 23rd Secretary of Defense during a Pentagon ceremony on July 1, 2011. Department of Defense General Counsel Jeh Johnson administered the oath in the secretary's office. SHARE IMAGE: Download Image: Full Size (0.07 MB) Photo By: VIRIN: 066928-D-QEE35-451.jpg Photo Gallery