Robert Strange McNamara was an American business executive and politician who served as the eighth Secretary of Defense under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He is known for playing a vital role in leading the US into the Vietnam War. Before he started his career as a business executive, McNamara had served in the World War II in the US Army Air Forces. Later, he was hired by Henry Ford II along with other Air Force veterans to work for Ford Motor Company. He also served as the President of Ford for some time, after which he was appointed the Secretary of Defense. After McNamara grew skeptical of the fruitfulness of committing US soldiers to Vietnam, he eventually resigned as Secretary of Defense and became the President of the World Bank. Serving for over seven years, he is known for being the longest serving Secretary of Defense. Later, as the President of the World Bank, he shifted the bank’s focus to reduction of poverty. After he retired, he served as the trustee of several organizations such as the California Institute of Technology. He passed away in his sleep in his home at the age of 93.