Theodore Roosevelt Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Roosevelt, c. 1921 | |
| Governor-General of the Philippines | |
| In office February 29, 1932 – July 15, 1933 | |
| President | Herbert Hoover Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | George C. Butte (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Frank Murphy |
| Governor of Puerto Rico | |
| In office September 9, 1929 – January 30, 1932 | |
| President | Herbert Hoover |
| Preceded by | James R. Beverley (acting) |
| Succeeded by | James R. Beverley |
| Assistant Secretary of the Navy | |
| In office March 10, 1921 – September 30, 1924 | |
| President | Warren G. Harding Calvin Coolidge |
| Preceded by | Gordon Woodbury |
| Succeeded by | Theodore Douglas Robinson |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 2nd district | |
| In office 1920–1921 | |
| Preceded by | Franklin A. Coles |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Trubee Davison |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Theodore Roosevelt III September 13, 1887 Oyster Bay, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 12, 1944 (aged 56) Méautis, France |
| Resting place | Normandy American Cemetery 49°20′55″N 0°51′17″W / 49.34861°N 0.85472°W |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Parent(s) | Theodore Roosevelt Edith Roosevelt |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 National Army 1920–1939 Army Reserve 1940–1944 Army of the United States |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | 1st Infantry Division 4th Infantry Division |
| Commands | 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry 26th Infantry |
| Campaigns | |
| Awards | |
Theodore Roosevelt III (/ˈroʊzəvɛlt/ ROH-zə-velt; September 13, 1887 – July 12, 1944), often known as Theodore Jr.,[1][Note 1] was an American government, business, and military leader. He was the eldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt and First Lady Edith Roosevelt. Roosevelt is known for his World War II service, including the directing of troops at Utah Beach during the Normandy landings, for which he received the Medal of Honor.
Roosevelt was educated at private academies and Harvard University; after his 1909 graduation from college, he began a successful career in business and investment banking. Having gained pre–World War I army experience during his attendance at a Citizens' Military Training Camp, at the start of the war he received a reserve commission as a major. He served primarily with the 1st Division, took part in several engagements including the Battle of Cantigny, and commanded the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry as a lieutenant colonel. After the war, Roosevelt was instrumental in the forming of The American Legion.
In addition to his military and business careers, Roosevelt was active in politics and government. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (1921–1924), Governor of Puerto Rico (1929–1932), and Governor-General of the Philippines (1932–1933). He resumed his business endeavors in the 1930s, and was Chairman of the Board of American Express Company, and vice-president of Doubleday Books. Roosevelt also remained active as an Army reservist, attending annual training periods at Pine Camp, and completing the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and refresher training for senior officers. He returned to active duty for World War II with the rank of colonel, and commanded the 26th Infantry. He soon received promotion to brigadier general as assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division.
After serving in the Operation Torch landings in North Africa and the Tunisia Campaign, followed by participation in the Allied invasion of Sicily, Roosevelt was assigned as assistant division commander of the 4th Infantry Division. In this role, he led the first wave of troops ashore at Utah Beach during the Normandy landings in June 1944. He died in France of a heart attack the following month at 56 years old. At the time of his death, he had been recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross to recognize his heroism at Normandy. The recommendation was subsequently upgraded, and Roosevelt was a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor.
- ^ Morris, Edmund (1979). The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. index.
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