×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

Ford file photo [2588]

Gerald Ford

SurnameFord
Given NameGerald
Born14 Jul 1913
Died26 Dec 2006
CountryUnited States
CategoryMilitary-Sea
GenderMale

Contributor:

ww2dbaseFormer US President, Vice-President, and Congressman, Gerald Ford served in the Navy from 1942-46. A standout football player at the University of Michigan (and MVP of the 1934 squad), Ford served on the USS Monterey as "the ship's athletic officer and one of the ship's gunnery officers."

ww2dbaseWhile on board the Monterey, Ford saw "action in the Pacific Theater... in the Battle of Makin. The ship also [took] part in attacks against Kwajalein and Eniwetok, New Guinea, Saipan, Guam, and Taiwan. He also survive[d] a typhoon in the Pacific that batter[ed] the Monterey on December 18, 1944."

ww2dbaseBy 1945, Ford was "promoted to Lieutenant Commander and assigned to Glenview, Illinois, to train new naval officers for sea duty," and by February 1946, he was honorably discharged from the Navy. According to the Ford Presidential Web site, he was "awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with one silver star and four bronze stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze stars, the American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal."

ww2dbaseAfter his discharge from the service, Ford began his steady rise as a lawyer in Michigan and public servant, serving thirteen terms in the House of Representatives. Ford is perhaps best remembered as the successor to President Richard Nixon in 1974. "Our long, national nightmare is over," he said at his swearing in ceremony, hoping to move the nation beyond the Watergate scandal, Nixon's resignation, and restore the trust of its citizens.

ww2dbaseSource: The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

Last Major Revision: Dec 2006

Gerald Ford Interactive Map

Photographs

Gerald Ford on the football field at the University of Michigan, 1933Ford aboard Monterey, seated second from the right in the front row, 24 Oct 1943
See all 9 photographs of Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford Timeline

14 Jul 1913 Gerald Ford was born.
13 Apr 1942 Gerald Ford, the future 38th President of the United States, was commissioned as an ensign in the US Navy.
26 Dec 2006 Gerald Ford passed away.




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
31 Oct 2008 07:00:20 AM

GOD BLESS AMERICA
2. Edward ONeal says:
17 Feb 2011 05:08:53 PM

Recently I read a story how Mr. Ford saved his ship by leading a fire party to extinguish a massive fire on the hangar deck of the USS Monterrey. Apparently he never received a medal for this highly courageous act. He should receive, posthumously, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.

All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
More on Gerald Ford
Event(s) Participated:
» Typhoon Cobra

Ship(s) Served:
» Monterey

Gerald Ford Photo Gallery
Gerald Ford on the football field at the University of Michigan, 1933Ford aboard Monterey, seated second from the right in the front row, 24 Oct 1943
See all 9 photographs of Gerald Ford


Famous WW2 Quote
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. You win the war by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country!"

George Patton, 31 May 1944


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!