Melvin Laird
20th-century American politician
Melvin Robert "Bom" Laird (September 1, 1922 – November 16, 2016) was an American politician and writer.[1] He was a U.S. congressman from Wisconsin before serving as Secretary of Defense from 1969 to 1973 under President Richard Nixon.
Melvin Laird | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 10th United States Secretary of Defense | |
| In office January 21, 1969 – January 29, 1973 | |
| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Clark Clifford |
| Succeeded by | Elliot Richardson |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 7th district | |
| In office January 3, 1953 – January 21, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | Reid Murray |
| Succeeded by | Dave Obey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Melvin Robert Laird September 1, 1922 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | November 16, 2016 (aged 94) Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara Masters (1942–1992) Carole Fleishman (1993–2016) |
| Children | John Allison David Kimberly |
| Alma mater | Carleton College |
| Awards | Purple Heart |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Laird died from complications of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Fort Myers, Florida on November 16, 2016, aged 94.[2]
References
change- ↑ "Melvin R. Laird, Wisconsin Historical Society". Archived from the original on 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2014-08-07.
- ↑ Timothy R. Smith (November 16, 2016). "Melvin Laird, Nixon defense secretary at the height of the Vietnam War, dies at 94". Washington Post. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
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