The Roosevelts are one of America’s most successful political families. However, while Theodore, Sr. and Franklin D. Roosevelt have been extensively studied, there’s one member of the family who, while just as successful, is often left out of the narrative. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was a successful military man who served in both World Wars and is credited with the formation of the American Legion
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.’s early life
Theodore Roosevelt III – also known as Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. – was the eldest son of US President Theodore Roosevelt. He was born on his family’s estate in Cove Neck, Oyster Bay, New York, on September 13, 1887, while his father was starting his political career. He had an older half-sister, Alice, and four younger siblings: Kermit, Archie, Quentin and Ethel.
Roosevelt was educated in both private and public schools. As his father’s eldest son, he was pushed hard to excel in academics and sports. While attending school, the elder Roosevelt wrote him letters, encouraging the youngster to push himself.
Roosevelt and his father often discussed military history together, and the former initially wanted to attend a military college like West Point or the Naval Academy to pursue a career in the military. However, the elder Roosevelt preferred he attend Harvard.
After graduation, Roosevelt found success in banking and business. In 1910, he married Eleanor Butler Alexander and, together, they settled close to Sagamore Hill, New York.
Serving in the Great War
While Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. didn’t go to military college, he continued to be fascinated with the life. While the United States didn’t enter World War I until 1917, there were still opportunities for him to become more involved in military life.
During the summer of 1915, Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood (his father’s commanding officer during the Spanish-American War) set up a camp to provide military training for business and professional men. Three out of the four Roosevelt sons, including Theodore, attended to gain better military experience if the country decided to involve itself in the conflict.
After the US declared war on Germany on April 2, 1917, each Roosevelt son took a commission in the US Army. The elder boy was commissioned a major. To their fathers’ disapproval, he and Archie arranged to serve together in the 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. The former came to be recognized as the best battalion commander in his division.
During the war, Roosevelt was gassed and shot in the left leg. He never regained any feeling in his left heel. He was awarded the Chevalier Lègion d’Honneur on March 16, 1919, for his efforts during the conflict.
Founding the American Legion
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. has largely been credited with the creation of the American Legion. It evolved from a GI organization that he’d founded on boosting troop morale. The first meeting occurred from March 15-17, 1919, in Paris, France, and was attended by nearly 1,000 officers and enlisted men. On September 16, 1919, the US Congress officially chartered the American Legion.
In May 1919, at the formative St. Louis Caucus, Roosevelt was nominated to serve as the Legion’s national leader. However, he withdrew his name because he didn’t want to discredit the organization, nor harm his chances for a future in politics. However, while he was the governor of Puerto Rico, Roosevelt was able to grow the number of Legion posts there from four to 53.
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. pursued a career in politics
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. continued to serve as an officer in the US Army Reserves after World War I and attempted to break into the world of politics. In 1919, he was elected to the New York Assembly, a position he held until US President Warren G. Harding asked him to become the assistant secretary of the Navy in 1921.
In 1924, Roosevelt was elected as the Republican nominee for governor of New York. At the time, the state was the most populous in the United States and its governorship was the best route to the presidency. However, Roosevelt lost the race to Al Smith, who remained governor until the former’s cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, succeeded him in 1928.
In September 1929, President Herbert Hoover appointed Roosevelt the governor of Puerto Rico, a position he held until 1932. He was the first American governor to study Spanish to better connect with the people living there – he’d made it his goal to learn 20 Spanish words a day.
From 1932-33, Roosevelt served as the governor-general of the Philippines.
Serving in World War II
In 1940, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was promoted to colonel in the US Army, prior to the country’s involvement in the Second World War. In April 1941, he returned to active duty and was given command of the 26th Infantry Regiment – the same unit with whom he’d fought in World War I.
Roosevelt was involved with Operation Torch, the Allied invasion in North Africa, in 1942. However, he’s best remembered for his efforts on D-Day. As the landings approached, he requested to be involved, but was twice denied because of his age and rank.
He was finally approved only after submitting his request in writing, stating that his experience and ability to report the situation from the beaches would be vital to the operation’s success.
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. died shortly after the D-Day landings
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was the only American general to storm the beaches in the first wave of the Normandy invasion, leading the 8th Infantry Regiment and the 70th Tank Battalion. He famously declared, “We’ll start the war from right here,” to the men he was commanding after his landing craft drifted one mile off course.
Roosevelt was armed with only a cane and a pistol, yet he was still able to direct his troops and keep them moving up Utah Beach, confusing the enemy by limping the Higgins boat back and forth. He rallied the men around him and personally led Allied troops against the enemy.
Interestingly, not only was Roosevelt the only US general in the first wave, but, at 56, he was also the oldest man involved in the amphibious landings. Furthermore, he was the only father whose son also came ashore on D-Day – Quentin was among the first wave of soldiers to arrive on Omaha Beach.
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Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. survived D-Day, but died of a heart attack five weeks later. On September 21, 1944, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.