TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Roosevelt, Theodore, Jr.

    Date of birth:
    September 13th, 1887 (Oyster Bay, New York, United States of America)
    Date of death:
    July 12th, 1944 (Normandy, France)
    Buried on:
    Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
    Plot: D. Row: 28. Grave: 45.
    Nationality:
    American (1776 - present, Republic)

    Biography

    Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Rank:
    Major
    Unit:
    26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    June 22nd, 1918
    "For gallantry in action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, France, 27 to 31 May 1918. Major Roosevelt during an enemy raid, displayed high qualities of courage and leadership in going forward to supervise in person the action of one of the companies of his battalion which had been attacked; on the day of our attack upon Cantigny, although gassed in the lungs and gassed in the eyes to blindness, Major Roosevelt refused to be evacuated and retained command of his battalion, under heavy bombardment, throughout the engagement."

    Headquarters, 1st Division, A.E.F., General Orders No. 29
    Silver Citation Star
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Rank:
    Major
    Unit:
    26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    1920
    "For extraordinary heroism in action near Cantigny, France, 28 May 1918. After the completion of a raid Major Roosevelt exposed himself to intense machine-gun, rifle, and grenade fire while he went forward and assisted in rescuing a wounded member of the raiding party. At Soissons, France, 19 July 1918, he personally led the assault companies of his battalion, and although wounded in the knee he refused to be evacuated until carried off the field."

    War Department, General Orders No. 10
    Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Rank:
    Major
    Unit:
    26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), U.S. Army
    "For gallantry in action during the operations against Mouzon and Sedan in 1918."
    Silver Citation Star
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Rank:
    Lieutenant Colonel
    Unit:
    26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    1927
    "Fpr exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Battalion and Regimental Commander, 26th Infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt displayed consistent gallantry, conspicuous energy, and marked efficiency in the operations around Cantigny, Soissons, and during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. By his devotion to duty, pronounced tactical ability, and brilliant qualities of leadership he contributed materially to the success of his regiment and of the 1st Division. He rendered services of signal worth to the Government in a position of great responsibility at a time of gravest importance."

    War Department, General Orders No. 2
    Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Brigadier General
    Unit:
    HQ, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    April 5th, 1943
    Awarded for:
    Operation Torch
    Silver Star Medal (SSM)
    "For gallantry in action while serving with the 1st Infantry Division. When enemy forces began a savage counterattack on our positions, General Roosevelt proceeded immediately to a forward observation post subjected to particularly intense enemy artillery fire, strafing, and furious dive-bombing, returning to the Division Command Post only when the enemy threat had been dispelled. General Roosevelt's gallant leadership and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

    General Orders: Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 35 (1943).
    Presented as Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star (previous two Silver Starts were awarded for actions during World War One).
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Brigadier General
    Unit:
    HQ, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    July 31st, 1943
    Awarded for:
    Operation Torch
    Silver Star Medal (SSM)
    "For gallantry in action while serving with the 1st Infantry Division at El Guettar, Tunisia, 23 March 1943. During the Division's initial assault operations General Roosevelt, displaying exceptional tactical judgment, planned and led the attack of a reinforced combat team. Although constantly harassed by heavy enemy machine gun and small arms fire, General Roosevelt preceded his team's assault waves into battle. This example of unflinching courage was a source of great confidence to his men in his leadership and enabled them to quickly attain their objective."

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 35 (presented as third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Brigadier General
    Unit:
    HQ, 1st Infantry Division "The Big Red One", U.S. Army
    "For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Commander of the FIRST Infantry Division from 15 December 1942 to 17 August 1943. His able training of First Division troops, his inspiring leadership of them in combat, and his continual personal example of absolute fearlessness and determination, were outstanding factors in the superb battle conduct and accomplishments of his organization. In conjunction with the Tunisian Campaign, he successfully led a combined French force of three thousand men in the defense of a critical sector. On numerous similar occasions, his efforts constituted an important element in the success of Allied arms in Tunisia and Sicily."
    Legion of Merit - US Military
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Brigadier General
    Unit:
    HQ, 4th Infantry Division "Ivy Division", U.S. Army
    Awarded on:
    September 28th, 1944
    Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)
    "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."

    Awarded posthumously

    Sources