Series Description and Container List
Container List
Collection Overview
Details
Series List
Service Academy Appointment File, 1958-74. (Boxes P1‑P18, 7.2 linear feet)
This file concerns the selection of Fifth Congressional District high school students for appointment to the nation's five service academies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard). In making these appointments Ford relied solely on the results of the Civil Service Designation Exam to compile a ranking of candidates. He then submitted lists of nominees and alternates. The nominees had to pass further scholastic and physical examinations given by the academies before finally obtaining the appointment. Later the academies reported regularly to Ford on the academic progress of his appointees.
This collection documents the procedures used by the Ford staff, the background and test scores of each applicant, and the academic records of Ford appointees. Virtually all of the material is routine in nature and is cross‑referenced in the Control File. During most of the period covered by this file, the work was handled by Ford aide Ruth Kilmer.
Although some earlier materials were not disposed by the Ford staff, this file is complete only from 1962 to 1974. The file was deposited at the Bentley Historical Library between 1965 and 1974 and was transferred to the Ford Library in September 1977.
Compiled by William McNitt, July 1979.