The name Roosevelt

Discussion in 'US Units' started by Za Rodinu, Sep 27, 2011.

  1. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    This came up today in StrategyPage.com. I shall quote it in full.

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    Profile - Teddy’s Offspring at War
    No President ever sent more children into uniform than Theodore Roosevelt -- five of his six children served in wartime, three of whom died while in military service, and the tradition continued among his later descendants.

    The president’s eldest son, Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt (1887-1944), (depicted by Henry Fonda in The Longest Day) was a “Plattsburgh Plan” volunteer on the eve of World War I, and served in the war as commander of the 26th Infantry Regiment. He led the first American trench raid, and was later wounded in action. Returning to civilian life after the war, Ted remained in the Army Reserve. Between the wars he became very active in politics, and attempted a run for president in the mid-1920s. He served for a time as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and was governor of Puerto Rico and later of the Philippines. Activated for World War II, he for a time again commanded the 26th Infantry, but was soon appointed deputy commander of the 1st Infantry Division. Ted Roosevelt served with the division in the North African and Sicilian Campaigns in 1942-1943. The division commander, Maj. Gen. Terry de la Mesa Allen, and Roosevelt, by then a brigadier general, were well-matched. Both were aggressive, fearless, unconventional, and intensely devoted to their troops. And both loved combat, being often at the front in the midst of the fighting, during which Roosevelt was again wounded. Although the division was enormously effective in combat, both Allen and Roosevelt neglected administrative duties in order to go off and fight. As a result, both generals George S. Patton and Omar Bradley requested they be relieved. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, in overall command, approved the relief, but insisted it be without prejudice, so that both men later returned to combat. On leaving the division, Roosevelt wrote a farewell message to his troops,I do not have to tell you what I think of you, for you know. You will always be in my heart. I have been ordered away. It is a great grief to me, and my hope is that sometime I may return, for it is with you that I feel I belong. . . . May luck go with your battle-worn colors as glory always has.


    Ted was soon assigned as liaison officer with the French Expeditionary Corps in Italy, and was then sent to serve as deputy commander of the 4th Infantry Division, in England preparing for the liberation of northwestern Europe. Although ill and overage for combat, Roosevelt took part in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944; he was the oldest man to land on the beaches that day. His performance on Utah Beach was outstanding. When told that his men were landing on the wrong part of the beach, he signaled the troop ships to land the follow-up waves anyway, saying, "We will start the war from here." Thereafter he led his troops inland, cane in hand, and personally conducted reconaissances, sometimes engaging the enemy. Roosevelt died of exhaustion and heart failure about two weeks later. At the time of his death he was unaware that he had been awarded the Medal of Honor for his performance on D-Day, and had been nominated for promotion to major general and command of the 90th Infantry Division. During his military career Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., earned every American decoration for ground combat, and was twice awarded the Croix de guerre. Gen. George S. Patton said of him, “He was one of the bravest men that I ever knew.” He is buried at the Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery in Normandy.

    Ted’s wife, Eleanor Alexander (1888-1960), served with a volunteer ambulance corps in France during World War I. After the war, she was a co-founder of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Club in New York (now the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Airmen’s, and Coastguardsmen’s Club). During World War II, she ran a canteen for American soldiers in London. Their son Quentin (1919–1948) served in World War II as an artillery officer with the 1st Infantry Division in North Africa, where he was wounded, on D-Day, and in the campaign across northwestern Europe. Two other sons, Cornelius (1915-1991) and Theodore Roosevelt III (1914-2001),, served in naval aviation during World War II. T.R. III’s son, T.R. IV (b. 1942), served as a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War.

    The president’s second son, Kermit (1889-1943), joined the British Army in 1915, serving in the Middle East. In 1917 he transferred to the U.S. Army, rising to major before being discharged in 1919. Between the wars Kermit was involved in various business ventures. In the mid-1930s he was part of an unofficial international intelligence network established by his distant cousin President Franklin D. Roosevelt. When World War II broke out in Europe in 1939, Kermit again joined the British Army, serving in Norway, where he earned the Military Cross, and in North Africa. He transferred to the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor. Given an administrative assignments, he committed suicide in Alaska in 1943. Both of Kermit’s sons served in World War II; Kermit, Jr. (1916-2000), was with the Office of Strategic Services, which conducted espionage and sabotage missions behind enemy lines, and later became an important official in the C.I.A., and Joseph (1918-2008), was a naval officer; and later a noted pianist and composer.

    The president’s younger daughter Ethel (1891-977) served as an army nurse in France for a time during World War I, in which her husband, Lt. Col. Richard Derby, served as surgeon in the 2nd Division.

    The president’s third son, Archibald (1894-1979), was wounded while serving as a captain in the army during World War I, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre by France. He was recalled to duty for WW II. Reportedly the oldest American infantry battalion commander to see combat in the war, Archibald earned a Silver Star in New Guinea. On Biak in 1944 he was again wounded, in the same leg and arm that had been hit in World War I. These wounds proved so disabling that he had to be discharged. Archibald’s son, Archibald Bullock (1918-1990), served as an Army intelligence officer in North Africa during World War II, and was later with the C.I.A..

    Quentin (1897-1918) , the president’s youngest son, was killed in air combat over France at the age of 18 on July 14, 1918. His grave quickly became a shrine for young Doughboys. He is today buried to the right of his elder brother Ted in the American Military Cemetery overlooking the Normandy beaches.

    :poppy:
     
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  2. Jakob Kjaersgaard

    Jakob Kjaersgaard Senior Member

    Good read. Never knew Roosevelt lost three children.
     
  3. Assam

    Assam Senior Member

    An amazing family credential, thanks for sharing.

    I only know of 1 other Father & son MOH combination & that is the MacArthurs.

    Just 1 small point, Teddy Jnr was not the oldest to land on the beaches that day. 1 of the British BeachMasters can claim that, his 1st campaign was either the zulu war (yes thats right) or the Cape of Good Hope Campaign (early 1880's), served Boer War & WW1 conned his way into the position to finish with a France & Germany Star. He was approximately 84 years old when he landed, but will get his details soon to post.

    Regards

    Simon
     
  4. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    And, Theodore was the fifth cousin of Franklin Delano and Eleanor's uncle.
     
  5. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    An amazing family credential, thanks for sharing.

    I only know of 1 other Father & son MOH combination & that is the MacArthurs.

    Just 1 small point, Teddy Jnr was not the oldest to land on the beaches that day. 1 of the British BeachMasters can claim that, his 1st campaign was either the zulu war (yes thats right) or the Cape of Good Hope Campaign (early 1880's), served Boer War & WW1 conned his way into the position to finish with a France & Germany Star. He was approximately 84 years old when he landed, but will get his details soon to post.

    Regards

    Simon

    84?? Ted Roosevelt would be a youth compared! I will await your further information with interest.

    Ted_Cane_France.jpg
     
  6. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    Za
    Interesting article! what a family led by a very able man
     
  7. Assam

    Assam Senior Member

    Za Rodinu,

    As requested, here are the details on that 80 year old (I got it wrong, I thought he was 84).

    Major T.J.May CMG
    Royal Navy, Home Guard, Royal Artillery & local South African Forces

    1. CMG;
    2. Cape of Good Hope GSM + 1 b. 'Bechuanaland' (Lt D.E.O.V.R.);
    3. BSA Company Medal, reverse Rhodesia 1896 no bar (Lt .M.R.F.);
    4. QSA + 2 b. Defence of Kimberley, OFS (Major Diamond F. Arty);
    5. KSA + 2 usual b. (Major Diamond F. Arty);
    6. 1914-15 Star (Major C.M.G., R.F.A.);
    7. WW1 BWM (Major with C.M.G., R.F.A. additionally engraved);
    8. Victory (Major with C.M.G., R.F.A. additionally engraved);
    9. 1939-45 Star;
    10. France & Germany Star;
    11. Defence Medal;
    12. WW2 BWM;
    13. Kimberely Star.

    May was born in 1868, he first saw active service with the Bechuanaland Field Force in 1884 - Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal + Bar Buchuanaland.

    Between 1889 -95 he was engaged with the Diamonds Field Horse and in 1896 he was present with the Matabeleland Relief Force as a Lt in the Mounted Infantry.

    British South Africa Company Medal 1896.

    During the Boer War 1899-02 he was the Commandant of the Barkley West District where troops, under Colonel Mahon, marched to the relief of Mafeking.

    Queens Medal with clasps Relief of Mafeking & Defence of Kimberley
    Kings Medal with 2 clasps South Africa 1901,South Africa 1902
    Mayor of Kimberley's Seige Star

    At the outbreak of WW1 joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Major, and served for the duration.

    1914-15 Star
    1914-1918 British War Medal\
    1914-1919 Victory Medal
    Companion of St Michael & St George (CMG)

    During WW2 he was a member of the 12th Batt. City of London Home Guard. Worked for the Ministry of Supply 1942-43 and, finally, was called up for service with the Royal Navy Emergency Crew (Small Vessels Pool) 1944-45.

    He Gained the France & Germany for "Operation Overlord" as an Assistant Beach Master.

    1939-45 star
    France & Germany star
    Defense Medal
    1939-45 War Medal


    Regards

    simon
     

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  8. adrielle.martin

    adrielle.martin Junior Member

    Ted Roosevelt was definitely a good man and a strong leader. Very few men would send their own children to war but wouldn’t hesitate once about drafting millions of unknown boys. There’s a lack of hypocrisy in the fact that his children served in the war as well. Also, he served during World War I and WWII even though he suffered from many health problems during the latter. He really did lead by example.
     
  9. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    Simon, my belated thanks! :)
     
  10. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    I've loved this statue since I was five years old. I think it played a big part in sparking my love of history. TR collected many of the animals exhibited in the museum's Hall of African Mammals on his safaris. He was also the police commissioner of New York City and governor of New York State. I feel sick.

    Roosevelt Statue to Be Removed From Museum of Natural History
     
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  11. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Old Hickory Recon

    I like Henry Fonda, but like John Wayne and his real-life counterpart, he was not a good match for for Teddy Jr. in the movie The Longest Day.
    TR Jr. was a much shorter man than Fonda and bandy-legged. Personality-wise, Jr. was a bit more high strung than Fonda, too.
     
  12. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Old Hickory Recon

    Sickening.
     
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  13. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    Teddy Jr. was a great man and an excellent soldier; everyone who served with him admired him. If Teddy Jr.'s father had lived to see his son's WWII service he would have been even more proud of him than he was.
     
  14. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

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  15. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    The statue should not be removed. TR, to my regret, was certainly a leader in US imperialism. Yet he was also one of the founders of American conservationism, the creator of our national parks system, and one of the leading liberals of his time. He was the first American president since Lincoln to welcome a Black man to the White House. His father, the first Theodore Roosevelt, was one of the museum's founders. TR was a flawed man, yes, but we should honor him for his achievements.
     
  16. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Nobel Peace Prize, Rough Rider and Panama Canal too. Plus giving a speech after being shot.
     
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  17. Jim Klag

    Jim Klag Member

    Theodore Roosevelt's father, Theodore Senior, hired a substitute in the US Civil War and did not fight himself. Theodore Junior spent the rest of his life making amends for what he considered his father's shirking. This accounts for a good deal of Teddy's belicosity and super patriotism.
     
  18. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    Kermit commanded an armoured car troop in Mesopotamia and wrote an interesting book on his experiences there. He was actually breaking US law whilst doing so which in theory could have led to his loosing his US citizenship. At one time his troop was supporting an Indian Army unit commanded by one William Slim.
     
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  19. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

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