Crime History: Ford pardons ‘Tokyo Rose’

Published January 18, 2012 5:00am ET



On this day, Jan. 19, in 1977, President Gerald Ford pardoned Iva Toguri, who had been convicted of treason for her World War II Japanese propaganda broadcasts as “Tokyo Rose.” Although American GI’s referred to all the women who hosted the radio program as “Tokyo Rose,” the nickname eventually became synonymous with the American-born Toguri after she was charged by federal prosecutors. Toguri, who aired such songs as “My Resistance Is Low,” asserted that she was forced into her role by authorities.

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