President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Valedictory to Henry Ford II, President of the Ford Motor Company

“I doubt if you realize just how much you have helped me carry on the official work of government…”

In the waning days of 1960, Eisenhower prepared to leave office and hand the presidency to John F. Kennedy. Henry Ford II was a close confidant of Eisenhower’s, and during his presidency provided Ike with important assistance. So as he said farewell to the presidency, Ike wanted to tender to Ford his heart-felt thank you.

On three occasions, Ford lent one of his senior executives, Leo Beebe, to the U.S. government to supervise the resettlement of refugees and manage similar projects. Beebe became executive vice chairman of Eisenhower’s Committee for Hungarian Refugees in 1956, a need that resulted from the Hungarian Revolution and subsequent flight from the country of many refugees. In addition to his committee work, during 1956-1957, while working out of Camp Kilmer in northern New Jersey, Beebe oversaw the relocation and resettlement of 35,000 Hungarian refugees in the United States, eventually finding them permanent residences in this country. In 1959-1960, Beebe organized the U.S. Center for Cuban Refugees in Miami, Florida, to help with the mass influx of Cuban refugees that fled Castro’s Cuba in 1960 (and beyond). Ford backed the refugee aid effort all the way, and it was of incalculable importance.

In 1960, Robert McNamara was President of the Ford Motor Company. Kennedy, the President-elect, sought to name McNamara Secretary of Defense. Ford agreed to spare McNamara, yet another example of his largess.

Ford Motor Co. required its top executives to use private aircraft for business and personal travel. We see in this letter that he also served Eisenhower by providing private jet transportation to and from meetings.

Typed letter signed, on White House letterhead, Washington, December 27, 1960, to Henry Ford II. “As the end of my Administration approaches, I want once again to express to you, and through you to your associates, the appreciation I personally feel and which is shared by the members of the White House staff who normally travel with me, of the many courtesies that have been extended to us not only during 1960, but through all the years here. I doubt if you realize just how much you have helped me carry on the official work of government, by making transportation available to the key personnel who must be with me, but are necessarily scattered, during any one of the so-called ‘work-vacation’ trips I have taken. I assure you, however, that without your cooperation it would have been exceedingly difficult for me to carry out my responsibilities and still get some periods of relaxation. I shall be lastingly grateful to you and your officials in the various places we have visited with some regularity and at some length.

“On a totally different subject, I might add that I hear good reports of Mr. McNamara. I am certain his departure for Washington puts additional burdens on you, but, as always, you are a good citizen.

“With best wishes to you and your charming family for a fine 1961, and warm personal regard, Sincerely, Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

This letter is the first valedictory of Eisenhower’s we can recall seeing, and it remained in the Ford family until 2020. It has never before been offered for sale.