Laird, Melvin Robert (1922-2016), served as secretary of defense under President Richard M. Nixon from January 1969 to January 1973. In June 1973, he became counselor to the president for domestic affairs. Laird left in January 1974 to become a senior counselor of the Reader’s Digest Association. Laird had previously spent 16 years in the United States House of Representatives, where he was an influential Republican Party leader.
Laird was elected to the U.S. House in 1952 after six years in the Wisconsin state Senate. As a member of the appropriations committee, he specialized in defense and health programs. Laird was chairman of the platform committee at the 1964 Republican convention. He was chairman of the House Republican Conference from 1965 through 1968.
As secretary of defense, Laird became noted for his support of U.S. military superiority in order to negotiate from strength with the Soviet Union. He also supported the establishment of a volunteer army.
Laird was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on Sept. 1, 1922, and grew up in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He graduated from Carleton College in 1944. Laird served in the United States Navy during World War II (1939-1945). Laird died on Nov. 16, 2016.
