TerHorst, Jerald F.

Jerald Franklin terHorst was born on July 11, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was an Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946 and 1951 to 1952, and received a B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1947. He was a reporter for the Grand Rapids Press, 1946 to 1951; city and state political writer for the Detroit News, 1953 to 1957; Washington correspondent for the Detroit News, 1958 to 1960; and Washington Bureau Chief for the Detroit News, 1961 to 1974. Gerald R. Ford named him Press Secretary to the President on August 9, 1974, the day Ford became the 38th President of the United States. As a Michigan newspaperman, terHorst had covered Ford's political career since the 1948 Congressional race. His tenure as Press Secretary lasted only one month. On Sunday, September 8, 1974, Ford granted a full pardon to former President Nixon and terHorst presented his written resignation. He rejoined the Detroit News as a national affairs columnist, remaining until 1981. After 1981 he was the Washington director of public affairs for the Ford Motor Company.

From the description of TerHorst, Jerald F. (Jerald Franklin), 1922- (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10582256

Political reporter for the Detroit News, became Washington Bureau Chief in 1961. In August 1974, he was appointed White House Press Secretary by President Gerald R. Ford. He resigned after one month in protest following the pardon of President Richard Nixon.

From the description of Jerald F. terHorst papers, 1972-2001. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 771939753