Ford was nominated by President
Harry S. Truman on June 22, 1949, to a seat on the
United States Customs Court vacated by Judge
William Josiah Tilson. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on July 12, 1949, and received his commission on July 15, 1949. Ford was initially appointed as a Judge under
Article I, but the court was raised to Article III status by
operation of law on July 14, 1956, and Ford thereafter served as an
Article III Judge. Ford was reassigned by
operation of law to the
United States Court of International Trade on November 1, 1980, to a new seat authorized by 94 Stat. 1727. He assumed
senior status on December 31, 1985. His service terminated on January 2, 1992, due to his death in
San Diego,
California. He was succeeded by Judge
R. Kenton Musgrave. ==References==