Gerald Ford

<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Gerald Ford (July 14, 1913 Omaha, Nebraska - December 26, 2006) was the 38th president of the United States. In ufology, he is a pivotal figure in the history of UFOs.

In 1966, there was a UFO flap in Michigan. Multiple witness sightings garnered national headlines.

The Air Force sent its consultant, astronomer Dr. J. Allen Hynek to assess the sightings. In what would become a legendary embarrassment, Hynek suggested that one of the sightings might have been due to "swamp gas". Some of the press coverage implied that this was a ludicrous attempt to explain away all of the sightings.

Cartoonists and comedians ran with it, and "swamp gas" became a national catch-phrase. Rather than quieting down reaction, Hynek had inadvertently fanned the flames (with flammable methane gas).

The Congressional representative for the 5th district in Michigan (which included Dexter, the location of some of the more famous sightings) was Gerald R. Ford. Responding to his constituents' concerns, Ford wrote a letter that would reach the House Armed Services Committee and the House Science and Astronautics Committee. It read in part:

"In the firm belief that the American public deserves a better explanation than that thus far given by the Air Force, I strongly recommend that there be a committee investigation of the UFO phenomena. I think we owe it to the people to establish credibility regarding UFOs and to produce the greatest possible enlightenment of the subject."

This suggestion was not warmly received by everyone in authority. Some people saw the letter as an opportunistic publicity grab. Other concerns were that it could legitimize the subject of UFOs, and that public hearings might cross into national security areas.

Despite the objections, hearings were eventually held which would lead to a government-funded study of UFOs. The stated negative results of the Condon study would get the Air Force officially out of the UFO investigation business.

Outside of this one instance, Ford would not have much public involvement with UFOs, but his letter would have lasting effects.