Ford responds to concerned constituent Donald E. Wieringa of Grand Rapids, regarding the court-martial of Lt. William Calley (b.1943) for his leadership role in the My Lai Massacre, writing the day after President Nixon released Calley to house arrest: “May I thank you for your expression of interest in the Lt. Calley case. Which has generated much comment both in and out of Congress. I share the grave concern which you expressed. Vietnam veterans with whom I have talked were astonished by the Defense Department’s decision to prosecute Lt. Calley. They are distressed and angered by the court martial verdict. I am sure this verdict will be appealed to higher authority, and I hope that Lt. Calley will benefit from equity and justice.”