Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Theodore Roosevelt III (September 13, 1887 – July 12, 1944), also known as Theodore Jr., was an American military officer, politician, and businessman. He was the eldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt and First Lady Edith Roosevelt. Roosevelt was born at the Roosevelt family estate in Cove Neck, Oyster Bay, New York. He was a descendant of the Schuyler family through his ancestor Cornelius Van Schaack Jr.

Roosevelt attended The Albany Academy and Groton School before enrolling at Harvard College, where he graduated in 1909. At Harvard, he joined the Porcellian Club. After completing his college education, Roosevelt engaged in business ventures, working in the steel and carpet industries and later as a branch manager of an investment bank. He accumulated substantial wealth through his investments.

He participated in military training prior to World War I, attending Citizens' Military Training Camps. When the United States entered the war in April 1917, Roosevelt received a reserve commission as a major, having gained some military experience during his training. He volunteered for service, and due to his prior training, was commissioned with the rank of major. He served primarily with the 1st Division, participating in battles such as the Battle of Cantigny. Roosevelt commanded the 26th Infantry Regiment as a lieutenant colonel and was recognized for his leadership under fire, including at Soissons, where he was gassed and wounded. His youngest brother, Quentin Roosevelt, was killed in combat in July 1918. Roosevelt was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and was also conferred the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by France.

Following World War I, Roosevelt helped establish The American Legion, participating actively in its formation in 1919 in Paris. The organization was created to promote veteran interests and patriotism.

Roosevelt held various government positions, including Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1921 to 1924. He served as Governor of Puerto Rico from 1929 to 1932 and as Governor-General of the Philippines from 1932 to 1933. During the 1930s, he resumed his business activities, serving as Chairman of the Board of American Express and as vice-president of Doubleday Books.

He remained engaged as an Army reservist throughout his life, attending annual training periods at Pine Camp and completing courses including the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and refresher training for senior officers.

During World War II, Roosevelt returned to active duty with the rank of colonel and later brigadier general. He commanded the 26th Infantry and served as assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division. His role included participating in Operation Torch in North Africa, the Tunisia Campaign, and the Allied invasion of Sicily. Notably, Roosevelt led the first wave of troops ashore at Utah Beach during the Normandy landings in June 1944. He died of a heart attack in France on July 12, 1944, at the age of 56. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, high-level recognition for his actions at Normandy, which had previously been recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross.