Family, Career, and Personal Highlights

Gerald Ford (1890-1962)--Adoptive/Stepfather Dorothy Ayer Gardner (1892-1967) -- Mother Leslie Lynch King (1886-1941)--Biological Father Elizabeth "Betty" Bloomer Warren (b. 1918), Wife,wed on October 15, 1948 Children: Michael Gerald Ford (b. 1950)--Son John Gardner Ford (b. 1952)--Son Steven Meigs Ford (b. 1956)--Son Susan Elizabeth Ford (b. 1957)--Daughter Religion: United Church of Christ Siblings Half-Siblings on his biological father's side: Marjorie B. King (Werner) (1921-1993)--Half-Sister Leslie ("Bud") Henry King (1923-1976)--Half-Brother Half-Siblings on his mother's side: Thomas Gardner Ford (1918-1995)--Half-Brother Richard Addison Ford (b. 1924)--Half-Brother James Francis Ford (1927-2001)--Half-Brother Education: Class of 1931: Grand Rapids South High School (Mich.) Member of National Honor Society, Varsity Letter Club, Glee Club, Student Council, Latin Club Hi-Y (High School YMCA). Participated in football, basketball, and track. Earned all-city and all-state honors in football. 1935: BA Economics and Political Science, University of Michigan. Member of: Michigamua (senior men's honor society) Sphinx (junior men's honor society) Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity Interfraternity Council Student Council. 1941: LL.B. ,Yale University Law School Member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. Career/Occupation: 1940-1942: Attorney/University instructor --taught a business law course at the University of Grand Rapids. Ford also coached at the University. (See below) Military Service: 1942-1946 (World War Two): United States Navy --served aboard the USS Monterey (CVL-26) , a light aircraft carrier --served as the assistant navigator, Athletic Officer, and antiaircraft battery officer While Ford served on the USS Monterey, the ship: --helped take Makin Island in the Gilberts --participated in carrier strikes against Kavieng, New Ireland in 1943 --supported landings at Kwajalein and Eniwetok --participlated in carrier strikes in the Marianas, Western Carolines, and northern New Guinea, as well as in the Battle of Philippine Sea --Monterey launched strikes against Wake Island --participated in strikes in the Philippines and Ryukus --supported the landings at Leyte and Mindoro. Ford's Service Medals and Citations: --the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with nine engagement stars --the Philippine Liberation with two bronze stars for Leyte and Mindoro --the American Campaign and World War II Victory Medals.   1946-1963: Naval Reserves   Political Career: 1940: Worked in Wendell Willkie's (R) presidential campaign --joined a group of reform-minded Republicans in Grand Rapids, called the "Home Front." 1949-1973: United States House of Representatives (R) 1965-1973: House Minority Leader 1973-1974: Vice-President of the United States (R). 1974-1977: President of the United States (R) Clubs and Organizations (membership): --American Legion --Veterans of Foreign Wars --AMVETS --33rd Degree Mason Athletic Career: Playing Career: Grand Rapids South High School (Mich.): Participated in football, basketball, and track. Earned all-city and all-state honors in football. 1932-1935: Played center and linebacker University of Michigan Football Team 1932 & 1933: Played on Michigan's National Championship teams 1934: Voted in as the Wolverine's Most Valuable Player (MVP) 1935: Played in the Chicago Tribune College All-Star football game (Now known as the East-West Shrine Game) 1935: Offered professional football contracts by the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. Ford turned them down to coach at Yale. Coaching Career: 1935-1940: Boxing coach and assistant varsity football coach at Yale 1940-1941: Line coach for the University of Grand Rapids football team 1942-1945: Various coaching and athletic director positions in the U.S. Navy

Gerald R. Ford's Speeches & Documents

Ford's Speech Upon Taking the Presidential Oath of Office (August 9, 1974) Ford's Speech Upon Granting A Pardon to Richard Nixon (September 8, 1974) Ford's Speech Announcing a Program for the Return of Vietnam Era Draft Evaders and Military Deserters (September 16, 1974) Ford's 1975 State of the Union Address (January 15, 1975)   Ford's State of the Union Address (January 19, 1976) Ford's State of the Union Address (January 12, 1977) Ford-Carter Presidential Campaign Debate (domestic policy), (September 23, 1976) Ford-Carter Presidential Campaign Debate (foreign policy), (October 6, 1976) Ford-Carter Presidential Campaign Debate (October 22, 1976) The Ford Administration: The Cabinet, Aides, & Advisors The Cabinet--The President's Cabinet is made up of the appointed leaders, or "Secretaries" of each of the Executive Departments. The National Security Council --Advises the President on national security and foreign policy.

Links and Resources on Gerald Ford

Gerald R. Ford--Biography of Gerald R. Ford. From the official White House web site. Gerald Ford--Wikipedia article Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum --Promotes popular interest and scholarly research in U.S. history during the post-World War II era, especially the Ford presidency (1974-77). President Gerald Ford: Health & Medical History--Medical history of President Gerald R. Ford American President.Org: Gerald Ford--Website run by the University of Virginia. Character Above All: Gerald Ford Essay --Excerpt from an essay about the troubled childhood and political career of Gerald Ford, who became the 38th President of the United States. By James Cannon. Former President Ford Dead at 93--AP/Yahoo News. Gerald R. Ford and the Political Reform Movement in Grand Rapids--From the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan Lieutenant Commander Gerald Ford, USNR--Naval record of President Gerald R. Ford, USN 1942-1946, United States Naval Reserve, 1946-1963 Lieutenant Commander Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr., U.S. Naval Rerserve: Transcript of Naval Service--U.S. Naval Service Transcript, from the Navy's history website.

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