Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.

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.

Source: http://www.medalofhonor.com/WorldWarIIO-R.htm

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was the son of President Theodore Roosevelt. Like his father, Ted went to Harvard and made his life one of politics and military service. He served in both World War I and II, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service on D-day, June 6, 1944. President Theodore Roosevelt also received a Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously on January 16, 2000, for his service in the Spanish-American War. They remain one of only two father-son pairs to both receive the Medal of Honor, the other being Douglas MacArthur and his son Arthur.

            Just like his father, Ted approached life enthusiastically. Even in his fifties, he wanted to lead the boys during the D-day assault on Utah Beach. Ted Roosevelt went with the first wave of troops, cane and all, to fight off Germans, clear the beach, and gather intelligence. His comrade Major General Raymond Barton recounts how when he said goodbye to Ted in England, before the assault, he never expected to see him again. Later on June 6, 1944, when Ted came up to Major Barton near La Grande Dune, Barton remembers, “I felt sure he would be killed…You can imagine then the emotion with which I greeted him when he came out to meet me. I embraced him and he me. He was bursting with information.”[1] Although Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. died of a heart-attack on July 12, 1944, during the continued invasion of Nazi-occupied France, he died in the service of his country, a true patriot just like his father.

[1] Balkoski, Joseph (2005). "Chapter 8", The Utah Beach: The Amphibious Landing And Airborne Operations On D-Day, June 6, 1944 ). Stackpole Books, 231.