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White House Leadership Meeting, 2/06/73
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White House Leadership Meeting, 2/06/73
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Robert Hartmann's Subject Files
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U.S. House of Representatives. 3/4/1789-
Amnesty
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These documents were scanned from Box R33 of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
offing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 6, 1973
OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
PRESS CONFERENCE
OF
SENATOR HUGH SCOTT
AND
CONGRESSMAN GERALD R. FORD
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
THE BRIEFING ROOM
AT 11:43 A.M. EST
MR. ZIEGLER: The Leadership Meeting this morning
began at 9:30 and ended at 11:15. As was our practice
during the first four years, Senator Scott and Congressman
Ford are here to brief you following the Republican Leadership
Meeting, as we move into the early days of the second term.
Congressman Ford will begin.
CONGRESSMAN FORD: Thank you very much, Ron.
The substance of the briefing was primarily the
budget for 1973 and the actions that have been taken by the
Administration and the budget for '74. Inevitably we got
around to the various latest proposals in the House, as
well as the Senate, to try and force the President to spend
some of the money that has been impounded, which brought
up a bill that we are going to consider on the Floor of
the House tomorrow, a bill reported by the House Committee
on Agriculture, which seeks to force the President to spend
some $225 million in the so-called REAP program.
That is a program begun in the Depression days
to help farmers with income and to stimulate certain
conservation practices. Over the years, the program has
changed significantly, but nevertheless, it is one of those
programs that seems to go on and on and on, whether conditions
or circumstances change. And this legislation we are going
to fight.
We have a strong indication, if not a clearcut
indication that this bill and others in the same category
will undoubtedly be vetoed by the President in order to
maintain the fiscal integrity in fiscal year 1973 on the
basis that when all of them are considered together, it
will be a budget busting program, which as the President
has said repeatedly would lead to more taxes or added
inflationary pressure.
Although this particular bill is only $225 million
out of the some $8.7 billion held in reserve or impounded,
when you add them all up they come to the total figure.
MORE
- 2 -
And I would like to point out, as I believe Ron
Ziegler may have pointed out to you yesterday, that this
Administration, on a comparable basis with other previous
Administrations, has a better record of not withholding
GERALD FORD VIBRARY
on a personal basis than the preceding Administration.
And in this fiscal year thus far, some 3.5 percent
has been withheld and will be withheld under the President's
action that he has taken and this compares favorably with the
five to six percent withheld by the previous Administration.
I think we can sustain the vetoes even if we are
unable to defeat the legislation, and I think the American
people will support both the President and the Congress
in this action in sustaining the vetoes.
SENATOR SCOTT: The President's budget is not
only responsible, it is responsive to the social needs of
the country, and demonstrably, the spending for these social
needs in just about every category runs far beyond any
such spending in previous Administrations and often in the
range of 300 and 400 percent greater than in previous
Administrations.
Referring to an issue such as impacted aid, I think
it ought to be made clear that Montgomery County, Maryland,
which is one of the richest counties in America, has been
receiving more funds long after the original premise of
the Act has been lost than the sum total of the 100 poorest
counties in the United States. So there has to be
a reevaluation of many programs to eliminate those which
are not working or those which have not been working for
the purposes for which they were originally created.
My constituency constantly asks me, "When are
you going to reshuffle the priorities? When are you going
to turn the economy up and take a look at it and
shake out the waste and the fat?"
That is exactly what the President is determined
to do. I believe there will be a very substantial number
of vetoes and the issue will have to go to the country on
whether the people want taxes. If the Congress goes above
the $250 billion and the $269 billion for the two budgets,
the Congress will have to raise taxes, and it is as simple
as that.
I would like to add one other matter. At the
end of the meeting the President referred very movingly
and very feelingly to his meeting with the family of
Colonel Nolde. I will not go into details, except to
say that when he assesses his reaction to various suggestions
in this country as to the alleged morality of the war,
that he is sustained by thoughts of Colonel Nolde and his
family who made it clear that they were courageous and
extremely understanding of the decisions which he had made,
and those thoughts of Colonel Nolde and those like him who
died or who were wounded or prisoners, is a very sustaining
thought.
MORE
- 3 -
Q
Senator Scott, did the President have any
comment on the Senate legislation which would require
approval by the Senate of Mr. Ash's nomination?
SENATOR SCOTT: Well, the Senate has already acted,
as you know, and there was a brief comment to inquire as to
GERALD FORD LIBRART
what would happen in the House and I don't know whether
Representative Ford made a comment on that or not. It is
not before the House yet, but it is the kind of thing that
I would rather expect a veto if it comes down here, and
I would also expect that a veto could be sustained.
Q
Why would he veto that, Senator Scott?
SENATOR SCOTT: He will give the reasons if he
decides to veto it, but the appointment is a personal
appointment. It is an appointment under the Executive Office
and it has not in the past required confirmation. Mr. Ash
has been sworn in and it would seem to me that this is
at this point rather ex post facto.
Q
Could we ask Mr. Ford his reaction on it?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: My impression is that the House
will pass it, but we can sustain a veto if one is forthcoming
for the reasons that Senator Scott gave. This has been
traditionally an office where the President made the appointment
without the consent of the Senate.
Why a change now? The obvious answer is purely
one of politics.
Q
Did the President say what Messages he will
send to Congress this week?
SENATOR SCOTT: No, he didn't refer to any special
messages. Helen, we got the impression that before long some
Messages will be coming up, but I think in some cases they
will wait on legislation.
Q
Senator Scott, you said, I believe, there
will be a very substantial number of vetoes. Is your
belief based on a statement by the President? Did he
specifically say, "If those bills come down, I will veto them."
SENATOR SCOTT: The President did not make that
specific statement. There were statements made by various
persons in the room as to the possibility of these various
bills, speaking generally and collectively, being vetoed,
and the President's statement was very clear, that he will
take what action is necessary to maintain the budget at
the responsible level that he has indicated in his public
statements and when it is necessary to do that, there
will be vetoes to accomplish the purpose.
CONGRESSMAN FORD: I think the point was made and
it seems to me very valid that of the bills that were vetoed
at the end of the last session, the ones that were pocket
vetoed, over a three-year period they would add either to
appropriations or authorizations some $7 billion, and that in
the consideration of any individual veto, the total would
have to be considered, and that the President is not in favor
of increasing taxes to that extent; therefore, he has an
obligation to consider the $7 billion in that context.
MORE
- 4 -
If the House and the Senate want to seek to pass
legislation and perhaps override his vetoes in this
GERALD FORD LIBRANT
$7 billion category, they have to take the consequences
which would be an additional tax increase.
SENATOR SCOTT: Let me add there, in Mr. Ash's
exposition of the budget in his pamphlets and what he has
said to the Senate Republican Conference, he made it clear
that by the time of the '75 budget, if all of these excesses
are locked in, there would be a further deficit of the
difference between about $288 billion and $312 billion.
Q
I believe you said this was a responsive
budget, responsive to the social needs of the county. This
budget cuts back on education and summer jobs and water
and sewer, many things, so would you please tell us where
it is responsive to the social needs of the country?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: Let me answer in reference to
education.
I asked the question categorically because we have
had complaints from educators that this program is being
reduced or terminated, et cetera. The facts are that under
special revenue sharing for education, there is more money
in the special revenue sharing for education than if you
took all of the categorical grants for education that are
allegedly discontinued or cut back.
So, when you look at the education appropriation
in total, there is more in the '74 budget than was in
a comparable '74 budget if you used the categorical grant
approach.
SENATOR SCOTT: Sarah, reading the budget is a
very difficult exercise, but if you will look at the budget,
you will find that the charges made that these cuts are
bringing the items down below what used to be done, or
below what the needs are, you will see that is not justified
in the budget statements.
And on education, you will note that the emphasis
is being shifted over a period of time from aid to
institutions, purely, to aid to the students, so that there
will be gradually more and more assistance to the people who
need it and I think the parents of this country are going
to be glad to see that students will be getting more of the
money and some of the professors who write essays for $600
each, may be getting a little less.
Q
Have you made up your mind what position you
will take on the Ervin Resolution and was that discussed
this morning?
SENATOR SCOTT: That will be discussed at the
Republican Conference beginning at 12:30. I should not say
anything before that. I will submit the question to the
Conference, on the question of their reactions to the
Ervin Resolution. If passed, we will, of course, nominate
the two members of the minority to serve.
MORE
-- 5 -
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
I rather think that the majority has the votes
to pass it. The minority may or may not interpose any
objection. They may offer amendments. They may not. The
only concern I personally have at the moment, and other
information will come right after the Conference, is that
the committee does not have to report until February, 1974.
I would think that they could probably get a report in
earlier than that. They ought to be able to satisfy the
pressures of the curious sooner than that. I don't see why
they have to sit on it for 12 months.
Q
What is the President's position on that?
SENATOR SCOTT: It was not discussed at all.
Q
Senator, would it be desirable for Congressional
representation at the Paris peace conference on Vietnam and
was that discussed?
SENATOR SCOTT: That was not discussed. I think
that is a matter for the Executive to decide whether he
wishes Congressional representation at this point or perhaps
at some later point.
Q
How about the trip to Hanoi by Dr. Kissinger?
Apparently there is some move to take along a Congressional
delegation.
SENATOR SCOTT: Neither of us has been made aware
of that at all. If Dr. Kissinger were to call up and invite
us, we would consult our schedule, but nothing has happened.
Q
Did you discuss at all the President's approach
to reconstruction aid to Indochina, particularly Vietnam?
SENATOR SCOTT: No, this was mostly on domestic
issues this morning, except a summary of the President's
regarding the Nolde family.
Q
What is your assessment for getting reconstruction
aid to Hanoi through the House?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: Since the President hasn't
asked for it and Henry Kissinger hasn't indicated there is
anything pending, we haven't discussed it as far as any
House membership is concerned.
Q
Do you personally think you could get it?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: I haven't given it much thought,
because we aren't faced with that problem. The House better
pass and the Senate, too, the existing Foreign Aid bill
which is just about due to run out this fiscal year and
that is a matter of immediate attention. And it ought to
be passed and I think the Congress ought to be condemned
for not finishing its business before we adjourned last fall.
Q Senator Scott, in connection with the President's
discussion with the Nolde family and other matters in regard
to amnesty, as I gather came up in that context, do you
agree that the price that must be paid by draft resisters
is a criminal penalty?
MORE
- 6 -
SENATOR SCOTT: Criminal penalties were not
discussed per se in the meeting. The question of amnesty
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
only arose in general discussions having to do with the
terms of those residents in Canada, for example, who would
expect to come back upon the assumption that the war is
immoral and they wish that to be recognized as a part of
their forgiveness or forgetfulness.
I recall the story of President Lincoln, who
has not been quite fully remembered in this regard, when
a soldier in that war returned who was a deserter and he had
a messenger appear at the White House door who asked for
amnesty. President Lincoln's reply was he would be granted
amnesty if he would serve in prison the number of days that
he was absent from the armed forces.
I think that represents what President Lincoln
really thought about it. I myself am not going to comment
on criminal penalties. I think, however, that we cannot
accept deserters or draft dodgers back on any premise that
the war is immoral, because then we would be denouncing
and belittling and demeaning the deaths of all those who
have been lost in Vietnam and we would have allegedly reached
the conclusion that they died in an immoral cause and I would
myself reject that.
Q
You say then that they died for a moral cause?
SENATOR SCOTT: I would say they died loyal and
faithful to their country and to their country's decisions
and that is the highest duty to serve.
Q
You are not answering the same premise.
SENATOR SCOTT: I think everyone of us has his
own judgment on a moral cause. It seemed to me that
President Kennedy went into this war from the highest moral
as well as political motivations and I am not going to
derogate from President Kennedy's motives.
Q Could I ask Congressman Ford his position on
whether or not the price to be paid must be a criminal penalty?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: That is what the law says at
the present time and whether there should be any change that
is a matter for subsequent Congresses or the President to
make a decision on. But I would agree generally with Senator
Scott that the judgment, as of now, is that you don't downgrade
the 2,500,000 who served in Vietnam by changing the status
of those who decided to leave the country and to violate the
law.
SENATOR SCOTT: Some of those who ran away and
cowered in foreign seclusion would, under the law of averages,
probably have died in Southeast Asia. Someone else died
for them and this is pretty hard to forget or to forgive.
Q
Do you reject completely the concept that some
of them could serve their country in another capacity now?
MORE
- 7 -
GE3ALO FORD
SENATOR SCOTT: That will come up in legislation.
I don't reject it completely. I simply say the law
presently inflicts a criminal penalty. If the Congress
wishes to change that, we can consider it, but so far as
those who were AWOL are concerned, I would vote against
dispensing with the criminal penalty if they are found guilty
upon their return.
Q
In a philosophical way, would you say those
who had fled Hitler in Germany should have been condemned?
SENATOR SCOTT: No, I think it is entirely
different, Helen. You are assuming this is a Hitletarian
America and I have to reject that.
Q
I reject that, too.
SENATOR SCOTT: Of course, there is not the slightest
analogy. The people who fled Hilter's Germany fled from
an oppressive situation, from a tyrant and dictator who was
killing them and their relatives. This has not been, and
I hope to God never will be the situation in America.
Those who fled in America, fled to avoid military
service or set themselves up in moral judgment against
the laws of the country and their demand on return is that
we shall accept their moral judgments, thereby denouncing
the moral judgments of those who served and fought and died.
It is as simple as that to me and I think the first household
door you knock on you will get the same reaction from
virtually every family in America.
Q
Senator Scott and Congressman Ford, do you
expect the Administration to submit new legislation on this
matter of amnesty or do you understand they are relying on
present law?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: I know of no proposal and
everything I have heard indicates that any discussion of it
is premature.
Q
Do you know when the first POWs will return
to America?
CONGRESSMAN FORD: It wasn't discussed this morning.
SENATOR SCOTT: I have been informed -- I do not
know whether it is accurate -- that the anti-militant war
protestors are now moving to a campaign for amnesty. I think,
first of all, that ought to wait on the return of the prisoners
of war.
Second, I hope it will be given its proper evaluation
in the media, fairly reported, fully reported, but not out
of proportion to those who died and those who suffered. Some
balance should be struck and I am sure it will be and that
is why I made the statement.
THE PRESS: Thank you, gentlemen.
END
(AT 12:05 P.M. EST)
send to the
President next
time GRF goes FORD
GERALD LIBRARY R. GERALD R.
1/6/43
Gave the to for
January 30, 1973
To action.
Miss Becky Johnson
1019 Hamilton
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
Dear Becky:
Thank you for writing me and sending me your message about
peace. I know that the President is thinking about all the
boys and girls of America as he works to stop the war and
bring about a peace that will last. He needs all our prayers
and I will give him your message.
With kind regards,
Gerald R. Ford, M. C.
GRF:rn
GERALD R. LIBRARY FORD
HIGHLIGHTS OF HOUSE ACTION, JANUARY 26, 1973 THROUGH FEBRUARY 5, 1973
Friday, January 26, 1973
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
VIETNAM WAR
By a voice vote, the House agreed to H. J. Res. 246, providing for
a moment of prayer and thanksgiving and a National Day of Prayer
and Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, January 30, 1973
FLOOD INSURANCE
By a voice vote, the House passed S. J. Res. 26, to increase the
the limitation on the face amount of flood insurance coverage au-
thorized to be outstanding, clearing the measure for the President.
Monday, February 5, 1973
SUSPENSION (One Bill)
The House voted to suspend the rules and pass the following bill:
Highway Beautification: H. J. Res. 123, Highway Beautification
Commission amendment (passed by a roll call vote of 283 yeas
to 40 nays).
PROGRAM AHEAD
Wednesday, February 7, 1973
H. R. 2107 - To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out
a rural environmental assistance program.
THE LINCOLN'S DAY RECESS WILL BE FROM THE CONCLUSION OF BUSINESS ON
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 UNTIL NOON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19.
# # #
HOUSE ACTION, PERIOD JANUARY 26, 1973 THROUGH
GERALO FORD LIBRARY
Friday, January 26, 1973
JOINT COMMITTEE ON ATOMIC ENERGY
The Speaker appointed as House members of the Joint Committee on
Atomic Energy, the following: Representatives Holifield, Price
of Illinois, Young of Texas, Roncalio of Wyoming, McCormack,
Hosmer, Anderson of Illinois, Hansen of Idaho, and Lujan.
VIETNAM WAR
By a voice vote, the House agreed to H. J. Res. 246, providing for
a moment of prayer and thanksgiving and a National Day of Prayer
and Thanksgiving.
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE -- REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 1
The House received and read a message from the President transmitting
to Congress Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1973--referred to the Com-
mittee on Government Operations. (H. Doc. 93-43).
Monday, January 29, 1973
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE -- BUDGET
The House received and read a message from the President submitting
the proposed budget of the United States for the fiscal year be-
ginning July 1, 1973; estimated budget expenditures were $268.6 billion;
estimated budget receipts were $256 billion. The message was referred
to the Committee on Appropriations. (H. Doc. 93-15)
Tuesday, January 30, 1973
FLOOD INSURANCE
By a voice vote, the House passed S. J. Res. 26, to increase the
limitation on the face amount of flood insurance coverage authorized
to be outstanding, clearing the measure for the President.
Wednesday, January 31, 1973
HOUSE COMMITTEES
RULE
By a record vote of 238 yeas to 135 nays, the House agreed to H. Res.
176, providing for one hour of general debate. By a record vote of
205 yeas to 167 nays the previous question was ordered on the rule.
(MORE)
-2-
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Wednesday, January 31, 1973 (continued)
PASSAGE
By a record vote of 282 yeas to 91 nays, the House agreed to H. Res.
132, to create a select committee to study the operation and im-
plementation of rules X and XI of the Rules of the House of Repre-
sentatives.
Subsequently, the Speaker appointed the following Members to serve
on the select committee: Representatives Bolling, chairman,
Stephens, Culver, Meeds, Sarbanes, Martin of Nebraska, Frelinghuysen,
Wiggins, Steiger of Wisconsin, and Young of Florida.
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE--ECONOMIC REPORT
The House received and read a message from the President transmitting
the Economic Report of the President and the Annual Report of the
Council on Economic Advisers--referred to the Joint Economic Com-
mittee. (H. Doc. 93-28)
Thursday, February 1, 1973
JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE
The Speaker appointed as Members of the Joint Economic Committee on
the part of the House the following: Representatives Patman, Bolling,
Reuss, Griffiths, Moorhead, Carey of New York, Widnall, Conable,
Brown of Ohio, and Blackburn.
NO LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
Monday, February 5, 1973
SUSPENSION (One Bill)
The House voted to suspend the rules and pass the following bill:
Highway Beautification: H. J. Res. 123, Highway Beautification
Commission amendment (passed by a roll call vote of 283 yeas
to 40 nays).
PROGRAM AHEAD
NO ANNOUNCED LEGISL ATIVE PROCRAM FOR TUESDAY, FEB 6.
Tuesday, February 6, 1973
NO ANNOUNCED LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Wednesday, February 7, 1973
H.R. 2107 - To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out
a rural environmental assistance program.
# # #
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
GENERAL JOHN C. MEYER
General John C. Meyer is Commander in Chief of the Strategic Air Command
and Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning. Staff, Offutt Air Force Base,
Nebraska. SAC is the long-range strike force of the United States comprised
of a mixture of combat aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The
Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff is a specialized Joint Staff which
develops and maintains key war plans for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
General Meyer graduated from Dartmouth College with a B. A. degree in
Political Geography. After several flying assignments he led his fighter
squadron into combat during World War II in the European Theater of
operations and became the leading American Ace in Europe, with a total
of 37 1/2 aircraft destroyed in the air and on the ground.
Following World War II, General Meyer was selected as the Secretary of
the Air Force's principal point of contact with the U.S. House of Representa-
tives. From there he went to Korea as Commander of a jet fighter group
and personally destroyed two Communist MIG-15 aircraft bringing his total
of enemy aircraft destroyed to 39 1/2.
After graduating from the Air War College, General Meyer was retained as
an instructor of Future Military Strategy. After other assignments, he
commanded the 12th Tactical Air Force and worked closely with Army
Forces in the Western United States in developing Joint Logistics to close
air support training. In February of 1966 he was assigned to the organization
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in May of 1967 became the Director of
Operations of that staff. Later he was promoted to four star rank and served
as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. On May 1, 1972 he became the
Commander in Chief of SAC, an exercised command of B-52 Forces during
the bombing campaign of late December.
His military decorations include three Distinquished Service Crosses, this
country's second highest award for valor. General Meyer is married to the
former Mary Moore, a former Naval Lieutenant. He and Mrs. Meyer have
five children.
Biography
10RD it LIBRARY GERALD
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AV 991-4291
OFFICE OF INFORMATION
AREA CODE 202/574-4291
COMMAND SERVICES UNIT
BOLLING AFB, D.C. 20332
GENERAL JOHN C. MEYER
General John C. Meyer is Commander in Chief of the
Strategic Air Command and Director, Joint Strategic
Target Planning Staff, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebr. SAC
is the long-range strike force of the United States
comprised of a mixture of combat aircraft and inter-
continental ballistic missiles.
General Meyer, born in Brooklyn, N.Y., attended
schools in the New York City area and graduated from
Dartmouth College with a bachelor of arts degree in
political geography. He enlisted in the Air Corps in
November 1939. In July 1940 he was commissioned a second
lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings.
After several flying assignments, he commanded the
487th Fighter Squadron in the 352d Fighter Group, a part
of the Eighth Air Force. He led the squadron into combat during World War II
in the European Theater of Operations and participated in several of the major
campaigns, including Ardennes-Alsace, Northern France, and Rhineland. By
November 1944, while serving as Deputy Commander, 352d Fighter Group, he had
become the leading American Ace in Europe with a total of 37½ aircraft destroyed
in the air or on the ground. He completed 200 combat missions and 462 combat
flying hours.
Following World War II, General Meyer served in a variety of assignments
which led to his selection in 1948 as the Secretary of the Air Force's prin-
cipal point of contact with the U.S. House of Representatives. General Meyer
then returned to a tactical unit in August 1950 when he assumed command of the
4th Fighter Group at New Castle, Del. He deployed his F-86 group to Korea and
participated in the First United Nations Counteroffensive and Chinese Communist
Forces Spring Offensive campaigns. He completed 31 combat sorties and destroyed
two communist MIG-15 aircraft, bringing his total of enemy aircraft destroyed
to 39½.
General Meyer, after a tour of duty as Director of Operations for Air
Defense Command and Continental Air Defense Command, graduated from the Air
War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in June 1956, and was retained as
an instructor at the College. He was then assigned to the Strategic Air
Command where he commanded air divisions in the northeast United States.
OVER
(Current as of June 1, 1972)
(Local reproduction authorized)
FORD LIBRARY & CERALD
In July 1962 he was assigned to the Headquarters of the Strategic Air Command
(SAC) at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebr., as the Deputy Director of Plans. While
assigned to SAC, he also served as the Commander's representative to the Joint
Strategic Target Planning Staff, a specialized joint staff which develops and
maintains key war plans for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In November 1963 General Meyer became the Commander of the Tactical Air
Command's Twelfth Air Force with headquarters at Waco, Tex. Twelfth Air Force
provided forces for joint logistic and close air support training with Army
forces stationed in the western half of the United States.
In February 1966 he was assigned to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff where he served first as Deputy Director then Vice Director of the
Joint Staff. In May 1967 he became the Director of Operations on the Joint
Staff.
He was then selected to be the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States
Air Force, and assumed those duties in August 1969. He served as the Vice
Chief of Staff through April 1972. On May 1, 1972, he became the seventh
Commander in Chief of the Strategic Air Command.
General Meyer's military career has included a broad variety of assign-
ments. He has held operational jobs in air defense interceptors, tactical
fighters and strategic bombers. He has also been a key member of the Joint
Staff, the Headquarters U.S. Air Force staff, and the Strategic Air Command
staff. He has been called upon to command major tactical and strategic units,
and is now the Commander of the Strategic Air Command.
His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross with two
oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster,
Silver Star with one oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying
Cross with six oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters, Croix
de Guerre with palm (France), and Croix de Guerre with palm (Belgium).
General Meyer is married to the former Mary Moore of Fort Lee, N.J. He
and Mrs. Meyer have five children: M. Christine Mesh, John C. Jr., Michael A.,
Margaret D., and Martha.
-30-
PERSONAL FACT SHEET
A. Personal Data
1. Born - Apr. 3, 1919, Brooklyn, N.Y.; father - August H. Meyer
(deceased); mother - Florence G. Meyer.
2. Married - Apr. 4, 1945; wife - Mary Moore Meyer; children -
M. Christine, John C. Jr., Michael A., Margaret D., and Martha.
R.
FORD
B. Education
GERALD
LIBRARY
1. Graduate, Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, Pa., 1937.
2. Graduate, Flying Schools, Randolph & Kelly Flds., Tex., 1940.
3. Graduate, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., B.A., 1948.
4. Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., 1956.
C. Service
1. Nov 1939 July 1940 Student, Primary, Basic & Advanced Flying
Schools, Randolph & Kelly Flds., Tex.
2. Aug 1940 June 1941 Instr., Basic Flying School, Randolph Fld.,
Tex., and Gunter Fld., Ala.
3. July 1941 - Jan 1942 Ftr. cont. & plt., 33d Pursuit Sq., Iceland.
4. Jan 1942 Sept 1942 Flt. Comdr., 33d Ftr. Wg., ETO.
5. Sept 1942 Nov 1942 Instr. Plt., 98th Ftr. Sq., Tampa, Fla.
6. Dec 1942 June 1943 Comdr., 34th Ftr. Sq., Westover Fld., Mass.,
& later La Guardia Fld. and Mitchel Fld., N.Y.
7. July 1943 Nov 1944 Comdr., 487th Ftr. Sq., ETO.
8. Nov 1944 Feb 1945 Dep. Comdr., 352d Ftr. Gp., ETO.
9. Feb 1945 July 1945 Dir., 1st Ftr. Comd., Gunnery School,
Suffolk County AAF, N.Y.
10. July 1945 Dec 1945 Dep. Air Base Comdr., 135th AAFBU,
Millville, N.J.
11. Dec 1945 Apr 1946 Dep. Asst. CofS, A-4, 102d AAFBU & later
Asst. to Asst. CofS, A-2, 100th AAFBU, Mitchel Fld., N.Y.
12. Apr 1946 May 1946 Asst. CofS, A-3, 300th AAFBU, Tampa, Fla.
13. May 1946 Sept 1946 Ops. Ofcr., 312th AAFBU, March Fld., Calif.
14. Sept 1946 Feb 1948 Student, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.
15. Feb 1948 July 1950 USAF Liaison Ofcr., House of Representatives,
& later Asst. House Liaison Ofcr., OSAF, Washington, D.C.
16. Aug 1950 June 1951 Comdr., 4th Ftr. Int. Gp., New Castle Co.
Arpt., Del., later Korea & Japan.
17. June 1951 - Dec 1951 Exec. Ofcr. & later Dep. Comdr., 101st Ftr.
Int. Wg., Grenier AFB, N.H., later Larson AFB, Wash.
18. Jan 1952 Mar 1952 Dep. Comdr., 4703d Def. Wg., Larson AFB, Wash.
19. Mar 1952 June 1955 Dir. of Ops. & Tng., DCS/Ops., ADC, Ent AFB,
Colo.
OVER
20. June 1955 - June 1956 Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
21. July 1956 - June 1959 Faculty Member, Air War College, Maxwell
AFB, Ala.
22. June 1959 - Sept 1961 Comdr., 57th Air Div., Westover AFB, Mass.
23. Sept 1961 - July 1962 Comdr., 45th Air Div., Loring AFB, Maine.
&
FORD
24. July 1962 - Oct 1963 Dep. Dir. of Plans, Directorate of Plans
SAC, Offutt AFB, Nebr.
GERALD
25. Nov 1963 - Jan 1966 Comdr., 12th Air Force, Waco, Tex.
LIBRARY
26. Feb 1966 - Dec 1966 Dep. Dir., The Joint Staff, OJCS, Washington,
D.C.
27. Jan 1967 - May 1967 Vice Dir., The Joint Staff, OJCS, Washington,
D.C.
28. May 1967 - Aug 1969 Dir. for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff,
OJCS, Washington, D.C.
29. Aug 1969 - Apr 1972 Vice CofS, USAF, Washington, D.C.
30. May 1972 - Present Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command,
and Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebr.
D. Decorations and Service Awards
Distinguished Service Cross
European-African-Middle Eastern
w/2 oak leaf clusters
Campaign Medal w/5 service stars
Distinguished Service Medal
World War II Victory Medal
w/1 oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Silver Star w/1 oak leaf cluster
w/1 service star
Legion of Merit
Korean Service Medal w/3 service
Distinguished Flying Cross
stars
w/6 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Air Medal w/14 oak leaf clusters
Ribbon w/5 oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Croix de Guerre w/palm (France)
Purple Heart
Croix de Guerre w/palm (Belgium)
Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem
United Nations Service Medal
w/4 oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship
American Defense Service Medal
Ribbon
w/1 service star
American Campaign Medal
E. Effective Dates of Promotions
Grade
Temporary
Permanent
2d Lt
July 26, 1940
1st Lt
Oct 24, 1941
July 5, 1946
Capt
Jan 21, 1943
Maj
Sept 2, 1943
Sept 3, 1948
Lt Col
Apr 18, 1944
July 12, 1951
Col
Jan 19, 1951
July 1, 1958
Brig Gen
Aug 1, 1959
Jan 30, 1962
Maj Gen
Apr 1, 1963
Feb 27, 1964
Lt Gen
June 12, 1967
Gen
Aug 1, 1969
(Date of Rank July 31, 1969)
END