World War II Database

Former 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."

While 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."

By 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."

After 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.

Gerald Ford Timeline

Photographs

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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.

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