Theodore Roosevelt Jr
Theodore Roosevelt Jr was born on the 13th of September, 1887, in Cove Neck, NY, shortly before his father would become the 26th President of the United States. Ted was the oldest son of the six children and was strongly influenced by his father. Like the other Roosevelt boys, Ted went attended private schools and went to he Albany Academy and then Groton School. He had contemplated joining the military before heading off to college but instead, attended and graduated from Harvard College in 1909. He went on to become very successful in the business world and his investments would later be useful for a career in politics.
In 1915 a Summer camp was organized in Plattsburgh, NY, for business and professional men to receive military training, at their own expense. This program helped expand the officer corps for when the US entered World War 1. Ted and two of his three brothers attended this camp and after the declaration of war, President Roosevelt had asked Major General Pershing if his sons could accompany him to Europe as Privates. The offer was accepted, however, based on his training, Ted had been commissioned with the rank of Major. Ted volunteered to be one of the first soldiers to go to France and was recognized as one of the best battalion commanders for his leadership. He even went as far to purchase boots for his entire battalion with his own money. He had been gassed and wounded and also received The Distinguished Service Cross but before coming home, Ted was one of the founders of what is now known as the American Legion. This is a organization dedicated to dealing and assisting with veteran based issues and has been responsible for many great programs, such as the GI Bill.
After the war, Ted went into politics just like his father. He went on to be the Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Harding and then went on to run for Governor of New York. A family dispute was to blame for his loss to the incumbent governor but in 1929, President Hoover appointed Ted as governor of Puerto Rico and he served as such until 1932. Ted was then appointed to be the governor general of the Philippines in 1932 and he would resign from this position after the election of his cousin, Franklin, for President.
In 1940, Ted attended a military refresher course that was offered to many business men as an advanced student. He was promoted to Colonel and returned to active duty in April of 1941. He took command of the 26th Infantry Regiment and in late 1941, was promoted to Brigadier General. He led the 26th into the North African Campaign and was later relieved by Lieutenant General Bradley. In February of 1944, Ted was assigned to England in order to help lead the Normandy Invasion. It was his actions on D-Day that would earn him the recommendation for the Distinguished Service Cross. This was then upgraded to the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in France. After 2 verbal requests to accompany the leading assault elements in the Normandy invasion had been denied, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt's written request for this mission was approved and he landed with the first wave of the forces assaulting the enemy-held beaches. He repeatedly led groups from the beach, over the seawall and established them inland. His valor, courage, and presence in the very front of the attack and his complete unconcern at being under heavy fire inspired the troops to heights of enthusiasm and self-sacrifice. Although the enemy had the beach under constant direct fire, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt moved from one locality to another, rallying men around him, directed and personally led them against the enemy. Under his seasoned, precise, calm, and unfaltering leadership, assault troops reduced beach strong points and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties. He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beachhead in France.
Throughout the war, Ted had many health issues, many stemming from World War 1. He also had heart trouble that he kept secret from Army doctors and superiors. When Ted landed on Utah Beach, he was the only general to land by sea with the first wave of troops. He was also the oldest man in the invasion and the only one to have a son that also landed on Omaha Beach on that day, Captain Quentin Roosevelt II. About a month after D-Day, on the 12th of July, Ted had been selected for promotion to Major General but never got the chance because he suffered a heart attack. His original burial was in Saint-Mere-Elise and had generals Patton and Bradley as his pallbearers but was later buried at the American Cemetery in Normandy. Theodore Roosevelt Jr is buried in section D, row 28, grave 45, along side his younger brother.
