How Many Presidents Have Been Eagle Scouts?
Since the Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1911, Gerald Ford is the only president who has achieved the highest honor achievable within the organization. Ford was president from 1974 to 1977. Numerous presidents, however, have had involvement with the Boys Scout organization.
George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy were all former Boys Scouts, though they never achieved the honor of Eagle Scout. William Howard Taft served as honorary president of the Boys Scouts organization. Calvin Coolidge’s sons were both Boys Scouts. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson were both former troop leaders. Harry S. Truman and Warren G. Harding both gave generously to the Boy Scout organization, which helped it expand. Finally, it is because of Theodore Roosevelt’s support that the organization gained national attention and support. He was the first and only person to ever be dubbed “Chief Scout Citizen,” though he received the honor after he held office.
