Gerald Ford (#38): Healing a Nation

Young Gerald Ford as a football star at Michigan

1913-1941 Michigan & Connecticut

All-American Boy

Born Leslie Lynch King Jr. in 1913, he was renamed after his stepfather, Gerald Rudolff Ford. He grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and became an All-American football center at the University of Michigan. He turned down offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers to attend Yale Law School instead, coaching boxing and football to pay his way.

Ford serving in the Navy during World War II

1942-1973 Pacific Theater & Washington, D.C.

War Hero and Congressman

Ford served on the aircraft carrier USS Monterey in the Pacific during World War II, surviving a deadly typhoon that nearly swept him overboard. After the war, he won a House seat in 1948 and spent 25 years in Congress, rising to House Minority Leader. He was widely respected as honest, hardworking, and fair--a Washington rarity.

December 6, 1973 Washington, D.C.

The Unelected Vice President

When Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace over bribery charges in October 1973, Nixon chose Ford as his replacement under the 25th Amendment. Ford was confirmed by both chambers of Congress--the first person to become vice president without being elected. He told the nation he was "a Ford, not a Lincoln," winning goodwill with his modesty.

Ford taking the presidential oath of office

August 9, 1974 Washington, D.C.

Our Long National Nightmare Is Over

On August 9, 1974, Gerald Ford became the 38th President of the United States--the only person in American history to serve as both vice president and president without ever appearing on a national ballot. "Our long national nightmare is over," he declared. "Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men."

September 8, 1974 Washington, D.C.

The Pardon

On September 8, 1974, just one month into his presidency, Ford granted Nixon a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes he might have committed as president. The decision was immediately and overwhelmingly unpopular. Ford's approval rating plunged from 71% to 49% overnight. He believed a Nixon trial would have paralyzed the nation for years. History has largely proven him right.

April 30, 1975 Saigon, Vietnam

The Fall of Saigon

Ford inherited the final collapse of South Vietnam. Despite his pleas, Congress refused additional military aid. On April 30, 1975, Saigon fell as frantic helicopters evacuated Americans and Vietnamese allies from rooftops. Ford oversaw the resettlement of over 100,000 Vietnamese refugees in the United States, an act of decency in a moment of defeat.

September 1975 Sacramento & San Francisco

Two Assassination Attempts

In September 1975, Ford survived two assassination attempts in California within 17 days. Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a Manson family follower, pointed a gun at him in Sacramento. Weeks later, Sara Jane Moore fired at him in San Francisco, the bullet missing by inches. Ford's courage in continuing to work crowds and shake hands impressed the nation.

1975-1977 Helsinki & Washington, D.C.

Steady Hand in Turbulent Times

Ford signed the Helsinki Accords, which promoted human rights behind the Iron Curtain and planted seeds that helped end the Cold War. He battled a stubborn recession with mixed results and lost the 1976 election narrowly to Jimmy Carter. In 2001, he received the Profile in Courage Award for the Nixon pardon--the same decision that likely cost him the presidency.

Healing a Nation

Gerald Ford will never be remembered as a visionary or a revolutionary. He was something rarer: the right person at the right moment. When America needed honesty, stability, and decency, Ford delivered all three. He sacrificed his political future to spare the country further trauma. Sometimes the bravest thing a leader can do is make the unpopular choice.