Community Chat

[Oznell]

Son of President Theodore Roosevelt.   I was not aware, to my shame, the role that this World War I veteran played, in World War II.   

Former Asst. Secretary of the Navy, and Governor of Puerto Rico.  He was 56 -- 56!-- and had to request THREE times for permission to join and help lead the Normandy invasion on Utah Beach.   Part of Operation Neptune.

He plunged off the boat-- one of the first-- and personally and continuously led his men ashore.

Found this account by Ryan Girdusky on X of his actions:

"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 strongpoints and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties. He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beachhead in France.

Thirty-six days later, on July 12, 1944, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. died in his sleep of a heart attack, at the age of 56. General Omar Bradley later said Roosevelt’s action on Utah Beach was the bravest thing he had ever seen, and, in a letter to his wife, General George Patton wrote, “He was one of the bravest men I ever knew.”

Died a little more than a month later.   By virtue of his age, he could have rested on his World War I laurels, but he didn't.   One story of many,  one more valiant patriot who helped defeat Hitler.

[PamfromCT]

@Oznell, Thank you for this inspiring story of bravery.  What a shame that he passed so young.  I, like you, had no idea of this important part of history.

[luvzchiz]

@Oznell   Thanks too for sharing this story.  I didn't know of Brigadier General Roosevelt's valor. May he rest in peace.  

[nwbabs]

Thank you for posting this information.

After reading The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard, I came to realize Teddy Sr's influence on his boys. Teddy Sr and his second son Kermit were main players in the book and the drive to meet certain expectations obvious. There seem to be no grass growing under their feet or resting on their laurels. 

[Oznell]

@nwbabs ,  thanks so much for mentioning that book.  Sounds like a penetrating analysis of a fascinating, complex historical figure like "Teddy",  and his family!

[MoJoV]

@Oznell  Thank you for that post.  I never knew that and thought myself kind of informed about all the Roosevelts.  When I think of the bravery and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation it brings tears to my eyes.

[LyndaGee]

Poor Edith lost three of her sons in her lifetme.  I used to like to read about this family, esp. their fun times when the kids were young and living in the White House.

[Oznell]

The New Yorker Magazine, in 1944, came out with this magazine cover about D-Day.  I'd never heard of this depiction before.  The incredible thing about it is, the artist did it in the style of the famous Bayeux Tapestry, done in the Middle Ages.

New Yorker cover:

A fragment of the medieval Bayeux Tapestery:

Close up of the New Yorker cover:

So artfully done, and such a moving portrayal of a significant multi-level event in world history...

[Stars in my eyes]

He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for this action.

An interesting note - Henry Fonda played him in the 1962 movie The Longest  Day.

[Trailrun23]

Thank you for sharing this story that I am sure many of us did not know.  The bravery and courage should never be forgotten and although we have many brave men today serving our country, they are usually forgotten too soon.