Melvin R. Laird Melvin R. Laird, who served as secretary of defense from 1969 to 1973 and oversaw the military’s transition to an all-volunteer force, died Nov. 16, 2016, at age 94. DoD photo SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.02 MB) Credit: Historical Office Public Affairs VIRIN: 140623-D-ZZ999-019.JPG Photo Gallery