Melvin Robert Laird

Melvin Robert Laird 1922-, American politician, U.S. secretary of defense (1969-73), b. Omaha, Nebr. After serving (1942-46) in the navy during World War II, he entered politics as a Republican and was (1946-52) a state senator in Wisconsin. As a member (1953-69) of the U.S. House of Representatives, he served on the appropriations committee where he actively supported a large military budget and a strong nuclear defense posture as well as increased funds for health and education. Laird became secretary of defense in President Nixon's cabinet and presided over the shift from a conscripted to an all-volunteer army. He supported (1970) the invasion of Cambodia and approved the strategy of bombing North Vietnam to force a peace settlement. After his resignation as secretary, he served (1973) briefly as counselor to the president for domestic affairs. Laird is the author of A House Divided (1962) and editor of Republican Papers (1968).

Bibliography: See M. R. Laird et al., The Nixon Doctrine (1972).

Laird, Melvin R. (1922–) secretary of defense (1969–73), born in Omaha, Nebraska. His tenure brought cuts in military spending, the closing of military installations, and the withdrawal of forces in the Vietnam War. Nevertheless, he maintained good relations with the services by restoring to the military departments authority and responsibility that had been taken away during the highly centralized decision-making style of his predecessor, Robert S. McNamara. Laird also helped the move toward an All-Volunteer Force by 1972.

Laird was the first member of Congress to be secretary of defense.

Laird, Melvin R. (1922– ), secretary of defense, 1969–73.Laird began his political career in the Republican Party after military service in World War II, serving in the Wisconsin State Senate (1946–52) and then in the U.S. House of Representatives (1953–69). President Richard M. Nixon appointed him secretary of defense in 1969.

Under Laird's leadership, the Pentagon experienced cuts in military spending, the closing of military installations, and withdrawal of forces in the Vietnam War. However, he pleased the services by ending many procurement policies of Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. During Laird's tenure, the United States under the Nixon Doctrine urged its allies to do more for their common defense via emphasis on regional alliances and increases in their defense budgets.

Besides focusing on Vietnam, Laird also dealt with arms control issues and changes in the military draft. In 1972, the United States and USSR agreed to a treaty limiting each country to two antiballistic missile sites of 100 missiles each. In response to controversy over inequities in conscription, Laird helped move to “zero draft calls” and an All‐Volunteer Force by 1972.

Mark R. Polelle