One of the first things a new president must decide has nothing to do with taking oaths, signing orders, or approving nominees for office. In truth, they make this decision before becoming president. And it’s of extreme importance to their presidency.
It’s choosing their Secret Service code name!
Since Harry Truman first selected General as his code name in the late 1940’s, presidential nominees, who get Secret Service protection, must pick a ‘handle’ from a pre-screened list created by The White House Communications Agency. The code names are designed to be short, concise, and easy to understand over a radio. We’ve all seen movies where an agent speaks into a microphone and says, for example, ‘General is on the move’. That actually happens, and It’s considered an integral part of successfully protecting the president.
The particular handle a president chooses may fit a unique aspect of themselves, be an aspiration, make a statement, or it’s simple and straightforward.
Joe Biden decided to keep his code name from his days as Vice President: Celtic. It reflects his Irish ancestry.
Some are obvious. You wouldn’t be surprised that Jimmy Carter selected Deacon, or that Donald Trump picked Mogul.
Some make a statement, such as Barack Obama’s Renegade or W. Bush’s Trailblazer.
Others are simple and straightforward, like Bill Clinton’s Eagle, John F. Kennedy’s Lancer, Richard Nixon’s Searchlight, H.W. Bush’s Timberwolf, Gerald Ford’s Passkey, and Lyndon Johnson’s Volunteer.
Some seem to fit them to a tee: Ronald Reagan chose Rawhide, and Dwight Eisenhower used Scorecard in retirement to reflect his passion for golfing.
But the 32 presidents who preceded Truman never had a code name. I think we need to fill that gap with some fun ideas about what might have been for some of these presidents. Here goes:
George Washington: Founder, of course.
Thomas Jefferson: Author, naturally, for the Declaration of Independence as well as for the Charter of the University of Virginia.
John Quincy Adams: Diplomat, honoring his service as Ambassador to Russia and his behind-the-scenes authorship of the Monroe Doctrine as Secretary of State.
Andrew Jackson: Dueler, since he was involved in over 100 duels, in one of which he was wounded and carried the bullet in his chest the remaining 39 years of his life.
James Buchanan: Bachelor, the only one among the 46 presidents.
Abraham Lincoln: Orator, given his eloquent speeches at his inaugurations and the Gettysburg Address.
Andrew Johnson: Tailor, his apprentice skill learned as a young man in Tennessee.
U.S. Grant: Rider, because he was an outstanding horseman, riding dangerous missions in the Mexican War.
Rutherford Hayes: Lemonade, the only drink served at the White House during his term.
Chester Arthur: Whiskers, noting his fashion statement of the 1880’s of very long sideburns.
Grover Cleveland: Hangman, one of the duties of a pre-presidency occupation in Erie County New York.
Theodore Roosevelt: Rough Rider, recalling his inspired charge up San Juan Hill in 1898.
William Howard Taft: Big Bill, acknowledging his girth.
Woodrow Wilson: Dancer, since he was known to be an excellent dancer in his off hours.
Warren Harding: Chips, reflecting his many poker games held at the White House.
Calvin Coolidge: Hat, noting his fondness to don Indian headdresses, cowboy hats, etc. for photo ops.
Herbert Hoover: Miner, for his geology degree from Stanford and later occupation in Australia.
Franklin Roosevelt: Mariner, for his love of sailing, being Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and his lifelong model ship hobby.
Since protection is the goal of the Secret Service, Vice Presidents, First Ladies, presidential children, and significant family members all choose code names as well. Even visiting dignitaries sometimes are assigned a code name. Queen Elizabeth’s code when visiting the US is Kittyhawk. Frank Sinatra’s was Napoleon, and Pope John Paul II was Halo.
Interested in learning more about the presidents? Visit the Carolyn & James Millar Presidential Gallery on the upper level of the Booth Western Art Museum. The gallery features original letters and photographs of every U.S. president. Learn more at www.boothmuseum.org.
