CVN-78 is named after Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. (1913–2006), 38th President of the United States of America (1974–1977).

(Read about LCDR Gerald R. Ford, Jr, USNR, biography and WW2 service at the Naval Historical Center website.)

Gerald R. Ford, Jr. became the fourth consecutive President to have served in the US Navy. He was the first vice president in American history to succeed to the nation's highest office because of the resignation of a president, and he was the first person to occupy the White House without being elected either president or vice president. He viewed himself as "a moderate in domestic affairs, a conservative in fiscal affairs, and a dyed-in-the-wool internationalist in foreign affairs." Ford acted vigorously to maintain US power and prestige after the collapse of Cambodia and South Vietnam. Preventing a new war in the Middle East remained a major objective. Detente with the Soviet Union continued. On Inauguration Day his successor, President Carter, began his speech: "For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land."

LCDR Gerald Ford, who later became the 38th President of the United States (1974–1977) in uniform, 1945. Ford received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S Naval Reserve on 13 April 1942 and later participated in many actions in the Pacific aboard the fast aircraft carrier USS Monterey (CVL-26). He was eventually released from active duty under honorable conditions in February 1946. President Ford, 93, passed away on 26 December 2006 at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. DOD photo (# 061227-N-0000X-003).

Artist’s concept of CVN-21 one of a new class of aircraft carriers. A new nuclear propulsion plant will power the next class of aircraft carriers. The new plant will require fewer operators thereby lowering life-cycle costs, and will provide increased electrical power that will be available for the demands of developing technology. Smart sensors will assist in further reducing Navy watch standing requirements and in automating damage control functions such as detecting fire and flooding situations. Flight deck redesign and a transition to an advanced aircraft recovery system (AARS) will reduce crew workload, enhance safety and reduce the costs of operating and maintaining a carrier throughout her planed 50-year life cycle. U.S. Navy graphic (# 030606-N-0000X-001), June 6, 2003.

Note: At the 2003 Navy League show Newport News displayed a model of a new carrier with four catapults and three, rather than four, elevators — the island being moved aft. The large, redesigned deck makes it easier to handle aircraft. When combined with the newer, more powerful and faster elevators and catapults, it is claimed that the number of sorties per day can be significantly increased.

The first piece of steel, a 15-ton plate for a side shell unit of CVN-78, the first ship of the CVN-21 program, is cut at the Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard, August 11, 2005. The ceremony was held at the shipyards new heavy-plate bay facility, one of several new facilities built for the CVN-21 program. Innovations for the CVN-21 program include an enhanced flight deck capable of increased sortie rates, improved weapons movement, a redesigned island, a new nuclear power plant, reduced manning and allowance for future technologies.

Photo by John Whalen (# DCS05-417-146).

Newport News, Va., Aug. 11, 2005 — The participants of the cutting for the first piece of steel for CVN-78, the first ship of the CVN-21 program, pose during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. The ceremony was held at the shipyard's new heavy-plate bay facility, one of several new facilities built for the CVN-21 program.

Left to right: RADM H. Denby Starling II, Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, USN; RADM David Architzel, Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers, USN; Joe S. Frank, Mayor of Newport News; Mike Petters, president, Northrop Grumman Newport News; Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.); Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.); and CAPT Michael E. McMahon, Commanding Officer, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Newport News, USN.

Photo by John Whalen, courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation (# 050811-O-0000W-002).

Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force and Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers, RADM David Architzel, signs the first steel plate cut for CVN-78, the first ship of the CVN-21 program, during the ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard, August 11, 2008.

Photo by John Whalen (# DCS05-417-069).

An artist's conception (2004) of CVN-78, the first of a new generation carrier design, CVN-21, for the US Navy, underway at Northrop Grumman Newport News. Construction is slated to begin in 2007. US Navy Photo (# 060630-N-0000X-001) courtesy Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding

Another artist's concept of CVN-78. US Navy graphic (# 050708-D-8455H-001), July 8, 2005.

A conceptual rendering of CVN-78. US Navy Illustration (# 060630-N-0000X-003) courtesy Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding.

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Dr. Donald C. Winter, Vice President Dick Cheney, Susan Ford Bales, Jack Ford, Mike Ford, Steve Ford, Sen. John Warner, Sen. Carl Levin and Chief of Naval Operations ADM Mike Mullen salute as the model of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is unveiled. The ship as well as the newest class of aircraft carriers was named after the 38th President of the United States during a ceremony at the Pentagon.U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shawn P. Eklund (# 070116-N-3642E-171).

Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, Sen. Carl Levin, Sen. John Warner and Chief of Naval Operations ADM Mike Mullen (l-r) applaud Susan Ford Bates after her remarks at the unveiling and naming of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley (# 070116-N-0696M-095).

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter, speaks to an audience of 300 during the official naming ceremony of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shawn P. Eklund (# 070116-N-3642E-063).

Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President Gerald R. Ford, speaks during the official naming ceremony of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shawn P. Eklund (# 070116-N-3642E-217).

Remarks by Dr. Donald C. Winter, Secretary of Navy — Naming of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), Pentagon, Arlington, VA, Tuesday, January 16, 2007.

An inner bottom unit of PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is hoisted by crane at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., January 4, 2008.

Photo by Ricky Thompson.

Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) program engineers (left to right) Bruce Cashwell, Bob O'Brien, Paul Bredlau, Arnold Williams, Jessie Zarkowski, Connie Holub, Jimmy Boonruang, and Jackie Tisdale, sign a 15-foot banner to signify the completion of the ship's keel unit. Photo by John Whalen (#7581).

John Knight, crane rigger, signs a 15-foot banner that would be on display at the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) keel laying ceremony on 14 November 2009. Photo by Ricky Thompson (#7582).

Commemorative banner signed by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Newport News, employees.

Speaker's platform. Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus is at the podium.

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus delivers remarks during the keel laying and authentication ceremony for the newest class aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien (#091114-N-5549O-091).

Susan Ford Bales, daughter of former President Gerald R. Ford and ship's sponsor of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), writes her initials onto a metal plate during the keel laying and authentication ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien (# 091114-N-5549O-126).

Preparing to weld the Authenticator's initials into the keel plate. In front from left: SECNAV Mabus; Sen. Carl Levin (D, Mich), principal speaker; Susan Ford Bales, Authenticator and ship's Sponsor; Mr. Robert Bowker, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding welder.

Robert Bowker welds the initials of Susan Ford Bales into the keel of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) during a keel laying and authentication ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien (# 091114-N-5549O-135).

Mr. Bowker welds Susan Ford Bales' initials into the keel plate to authenticate the keel laying.

Robert Bowker, a structural welder with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, welds the initials of Susan Ford Bales into the keel of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) during a keel laying and authentication ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cory Rose (#091114-N-0924R-003).

The welded initials.

U.S. Senator Carl Levin, left; ADM Kirkland H. Donald, director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion; Susan Ford Bales, daughter of former President Gerald R. Ford and ship's sponsor; and Robert Bowker, a structural welder with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, display Bales's welded initials into a piece of steel during a keel laying and authentication ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cory Rose (#091114-N-0924R-002).

The first keel assembly is moved toward the building dock.

Susan Ford Bales, daughter of the ship's namesake, speaks to the crowd.

The first keel assembly is placed in the building dock.