Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Leading the First Wave Ashore With a Cane and a Pistol

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. earned the Medal of Honor for leading American troops off Utah Beach during the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944. The U.S. Army brigadier general and assistant commander of the 4th Infantry Division landed with the first assault wave despite arthritis and heart trouble, then helped turn a misplaced landing into a successful advance inland.

Born at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, New York, on 13 September 1887, “Ted” was the eldest son of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt. He attended Groton and graduated from Harvard in 1909 before entering banking and business. He married Eleanor Alexander in 1910 and began preparing for military service at the Plattsburgh training camp in 1915.

Commissioned in 1917, Roosevelt served in France during the First World War, commanding the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, and fighting at Cantigny. He was wounded in the leg. Between the wars, he helped establish the American Legion and pursued public service as a New York assemblyman, assistant secretary of the Navy, governor of Puerto Rico and governor-general of the Philippines. He also remained active in the Army Reserve.

Returning to wartime service, Roosevelt fought in North Africa and Sicily before joining the 4th Infantry Division. He twice asked verbally to accompany its first wave into Normandy and was refused. A written request finally secured permission.

At Utah Beach, the assault force landed away from its planned position. Roosevelt assessed the situation and adapted the attack to the ground in front of him. Carrying a cane and pistol, he moved among the men under fire, rallied groups and repeatedly led them across the seawall. His calm, visible leadership helped the troops clear strongpoints and establish themselves inland.

Official Medal of Honor citation United States Army transcription:

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.

Roosevelt continued serving during the Normandy campaign, but died of a heart attack at Méautis, France, on 12 July 1944, aged 56. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously that September. He is buried at Normandy American Cemetery, beside his brother Quentin, a pilot killed in the First World War and later reinterred there.

Theodore and Eleanor's former home at Old Orchard became the Theodore Roosevelt Museum at Sagamore Hill. His military legacy rests on personal leadership: a senior officer who insisted on sharing the first wave's danger and gave soldiers direction when their landing plan went awry.