The only Melvin to serve in a cabinet post in the 20th century was this man as Nixon's Secretary of Defense
In the foreword to this book, former Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird ... forces for 
only 35 of its 228 years  nearly all in the 20th century ... Commission) meeting 
with President Nixon in the Cabinet Room on ... to transition the larger postCold 
War military to a smaller, more-agile, and more-engaged force.