10th Secretary of Defense of the United States, sworn in by Richard Nixon, January 22, 1969

Education

• 1942: graduated from Charleton College

Military Career

• 1942-1946: U.S. Navy
• received the Purple Heart

Career Track

• 1946: Wisconsin State Senate
• 1952-1969: United States House of Representatives, Wisconsin
• 1964: delegate to Republican National Convention from Wisconsin
• 1969-1973: Secretary of Defense

  at the begining of his term, Laird made it known that he would only serve four years as the secretary of defense. on January 29, 1973 he was succeeded by Elliot L. Richardson.
  
  notable events within Laird's position as secretary of defense include his policy called "vietnamization" whereby the south vietnamese military forces were expanded and trained while the number of US soldiers in vietnam was reduced. the combat death rate of american soldiers declined about 95% as a result of this program.

• 1973: counselor to the president for domestic affairs
• 1974: senior counselor for national and international affairs for Reader's Digest
• 1974: recieves Presidential Medal of Freedom