1971 Press Photo Defense Secretary Melvin Laird, Pentagon news conf., Wash. DC

Defense secretary Melvin R. Laird, former Wisconsin congressman who sees a presidential election year ahead, is trying to push Vietnam issue into the background to help President Richard Nixon's chances for a second term. Laird is shown at a recent Pentagon news conference in Washington DC.

Photo is dated 1971.

Photo measures 8 x 9.5 inches.