Robert McNamara: 1916-2009

In this March 16, 1961, photo, President John F. Kennedy sits in his favorite rocking chair in his office during a meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, right, at the White House in Washington. McNamara died Monday, July, 6, 2009, according to his wife. He was 93.

President John F. Kennedy, right, walks with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara towards a pier to board the Kennedy family cruiser at Hyannis Port, Mass. McNamara, who served as defense secretary during the Vietnam War under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, died Monday, July 6, 2009, according to his wife. He was 93.

Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara holds a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, Nov. 17, 1961. McNamara, who served as defense secretary during the Vietnam War under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, died Monday, July 6, 2009, according to his wife. He was 93.

Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, left, inspects Vietnamese civil guards saluting during a visit to training operations at Song Mao, Vietnam. McNamara died Monday, July 6, 2009, according to his wife. He was 93.

President Lyndon B. Johnson, right, confers with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, Nov. 23, 1963. McNamara, who served as defense secretary during the Vietnam War under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, died Monday, July 6, 2009, according to his wife. He was 93.

Former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara gestures during a news conference in Washington, Jan. 21, 1992. McNamara died Monday, July 6, 2009, according to his wife. He was 93.

Robert McNamara, right, defense secretary under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, makes a point during a forum at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 21, 2001. McNamara died Monday, July 6, 2009, according to his wife. He was 93. Theodore Sorensen, former special counsel to President Kennedy, is at left.