Gerald Ford

US-O4 insignia

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Photograph of Gerald R. Ford, Jr. (Then Leslie Lynch King, Jr.) - NARA - 186856 (restored)

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Gerald Ford on field at Univ of Mich, 1933

Group photo of ship’s gunnery officers aboard the fast aircraft carrier USS Monterey include Gerald Ford

Photograph of a Billboard for Congressional Candidate Gerald R. Ford, Jr.'s Republican Primary Campaign - NARA - 187021

Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. (born Leslie Lynch King Jr.; July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) was an American politician and attorney who served as the 38th President of the United States from August 1974 to January 1977. Ford is the only person to have served as both vice president and president without being elected to either office by the Electoral College.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, as Leslie Lynch King Jr., Ford was renamed after his stepfather, Gerald Rudolff Ford, and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan and Yale Law School, after which he started a law practice in Grand Rapids. During World War II, Ford served in the United States Navy. After the war, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served for 25 years, eventually becoming the House Minority Leader.

In December 1973, Ford was appointed Vice President of the United States by President Richard Nixon in the wake of Spiro Agnew's resignation. He assumed the presidency in August 1974, following Nixon's resignation amid the Watergate scandal. Ford's presidency was marked by attempts to heal the nation's divisions caused by the Watergate scandal. He granted Nixon a presidential pardon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States as president, a controversial decision that has shaped his legacy.

During his presidency, Ford faced challenges including the aftermath of the Vietnam War, a recession, and a severe energy crisis. He also signed the Helsinki Accords, marking a move toward détente in the Cold War. Domestically, Ford is known for his fiscal conservatism, advocating for a policy that restrained government spending and taxation. His administration witnessed the final withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam, the evacuation of American citizens from Cambodia and South Vietnam, and the rescue of the crew of the SS Mayaguez.

Ford ran for a full term in the 1976 presidential election but was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter. After leaving office, Ford remained active in the Republican Party and in public affairs. He founded the Gerald R. Ford Institute of Public Policy at Albion College and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan to continue his legacy of public service.

Ford's contributions to American politics and his efforts to heal the nation during a tumultuous time are significant aspects of his legacy. Despite controversies, such as his pardon of Nixon, Ford is remembered for his integrity, leadership, and commitment to the country.

Ford passed away on December 26, 2006, at the age of 93. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2001, recognizing his service and contributions to the United States. 0