DEFENSE NOMINATION President Barack Obama announces his nomination of Chuck Hagel as the next defense secretary as Hagel, center, and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta listen at the White House, Jan. 7, 2013. Hagel, 66, is a former U.S. senator from Nebraska. He served as an Army sergeant in the Vietnam War, and earned two Purple Hearts as an infantry squad leader there. SHARE IMAGE: Download Image: Full Size (0.06 MB) Photo By: VIRIN: 247255-Y-PUW04-651.jpg Photo Gallery