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Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, was born July 14, 1913, in Omaha, NE. The future President grew up in a close-knit family, excelled scholastically and athletically at South High School in Grand Rapids, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in November 1927.
Ford attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he majored in economics and political science. An extremely gifted athlete, FORD was voted the Wolverine’s most valuable player in 1934, with opportunities to play professional football.
Ford chose the legal profession over a professional football career, graduating with a law degree from Yale in 1941. After the United States entered the war during World War II, Ford received a commission as Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1942. He began service on the light aircraft carrier USS Monterey in 1943 and took part in major operations in the South Pacific, including the battles for Truk, Saipan, Guam, Formosa, Marianas, and the Philippines. Lt. Cmdr. Ford was honorably released from active duty in 1946, having been awarded numerous campaign medals.
Returning home to Grand Rapids, Ford became a partner at a prestigious law firm before being elected to the House of Representatives for 13 terms from January 3, 1949 to December 6, 1973. While running for office, he married Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren, with whom he had four children.
Ford developed a reputation for integrity, and eventually became the House minority leader. Following the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew in October 1973, President Nixon selected Ford as his replacement, and Ford was sworn in as Vice President December 6, 1973.
The Watergate scandal, the break-in at Democratic headquarters during the 1972 campaign, and the ensuing cover-up by Nixon administration officials hung over Ford month tenure as Vice President. Following Nixon’s resignation, Ford assumed the Presidency August 9, 1974 amidst widespread public disillusionment in the wake of the Watergate scandals, the Vietnam War, and an economic recession.
Intent on healing a divided nation, Ford announced amnesty terms for Vietnam-era draft evaders and pardoned his predecessor. Ford’s legacy includes the implementation of sweeping tax cuts, reform of antitrust laws, and the establishment of the annual international economic meeting of leaders, known today as the G-8 summit. His most enduring legacy, however, is that of a leader who acted with great integrity.
After departing public office, Ford published his memoir, ‘‘A Time to Heal,’ and continued to remain active in conferences on foreign policy. In addition to receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he and Mrs. Ford were also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the first ever joint presentation of Congress’ highest civilian honor.
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2018 09:31 |
| Story ID: | 267843 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 392 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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