Saturday, March 08, 2008
The late President Gerald Ford plays some mean defense in June, 1944 onboard the USS Monterey (CVL-26) during his deployment in the Pacific as a Lieutenant during WWII.
The Monterey was not damaged in action but had a hard time during a typhoon in mid-December, 1945, when planes in the hanger broke free of moorings, collided, and caught fire. Ford was on the fire suppression team which was successful even though the fire took the Monterey out of the fight.
Ford was almost certainly our best athlete turned President, Chevy Chase's making fun of him notwithstanding.
CORRECTION: On further review of the photo, based on the position of Ford's left hand, it looks more like he is going for a rebound, rather than trying to block a shot. Tough to tell, either way.
Labels: WWII history; Pacific theater
