Editing Melvin Laird (section)

==Early life==
Melvin Robert Laird<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qh5lffww-KsC&q=%22Bom+Laird%22&pg=PA615|title=The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History, 2nd Edition &#91;4 volumes&#93;: A Political, Social, and Military History|isbn=9781851099610|last1=Tucker|first1=Spencer C.|date=May 20, 2011|publisher=Abc-Clio }}</ref> was born in [[Omaha, Nebraska]], the son of [[Melvin R. Laird Sr.]], a politician, businessman, and clergyman.<ref name="nydailynews.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/melvin-laird-defense-secretary-nixon-dead-age-94-article-1.2876466|title=Melvin Laird, Defense Secretary under Nixon, dead at age 94|website=[[New York Daily News]] |date=November 16, 2016 }}</ref> He grew up and attended high school in [[Marshfield, Wisconsin]],<ref name="nydailynews.com"/> although in his junior year he attended [[Lake Forest Academy]] in [[Lake Forest, Illinois]].  He was nicknamed "Bambino" (shortened to "Bom" and pronounced like the word 'bomb') by his mother.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Laird was the grandson of [[William D. Connor]], the [[Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin]] from 1907 to 1909, and the great-grandson of [[Robert Connor (politician)|Robert Connor]], a member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]]. His niece is Jessica Laird Doyle, wife of former Wisconsin Governor [[Jim Doyle]].<ref name="nydailynews.com"/>

He graduated from [[Carleton College]] in [[Minnesota]] in May 1944, having enlisted in the [[United States Navy]] a year earlier. Following his commissioning as an [[ensign (rank)|ensign]], he served on a destroyer, the {{USS|Maddox|DD-731|6}}, in the [[Pacific War|Pacific]] during the end of [[World War II]]. A recipient of the [[Purple Heart]] and several other decorations, Laird left the Navy in April 1946.